Yamaha have pulled out of the Qatar Grand Prix amid ongoing safety concerns and received a strong reply from MotoGP.

The Japanese manufacturer wrote in a statement: "Following its latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East, Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions.

"As a result, Yamaha has informed MotoGP Group about its decision not to participate in the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix.

"This decision reflects Yamaha’s assessment of the information currently available and is independent of the measures implemented by MotoGP Group and the event organiser.

"Yamaha remains fully committed to MotoGP and looks forward to returning to competition at the Portuguese Grand Prix."

MotoGP then gave a reply, suggesting sporting sanctions could be imposed.

MotoGP warns Yamaha of potential sporting sanctions

They wrote: “MotoGP is disappointed by Yamaha's decision not to participate in the Qatar Grand Prix.

“While we recognise the team is subject to a broader corporate policy restricting travel to the Middle East, we do not believe this decision reflects the extensive assurances provided to all championship stakeholders.

“Following consultation with the State of Qatar, Lusail International Circuit, independent safety advisers and MotoGP's own ongoing risk assessment process, MotoGP has not received any information that would warrant a change to the current plans for the event.

“We communicated that position, together with the latest available information, to all Manufacturers and Teams today and welcome the confirmation from the remainder of the grid that they will compete in Qatar, and we thank them for that commitment.

“In addition to the contractual implications of Yamaha's decision for its agreements with MotoGP and IRTA, Yamaha's non-participation also carries sporting implications, with any sporting consequences to be managed by the FIM in accordance with the Championship regulations.”

The Qatar event runs from November 6 to 8, but reports claim the US are planning more strikes on neighbouring Iran after the mid-term elections on November 3.

Various reports of secret meetings have emerged over the course of the past three weekends over riders expressing their joint opposition.