Iran fires missiles at major US military base in Qatar
Attack on Al-Udeid Air Base intensifies Middle East tensions, follows Trump's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
Iran launched missiles at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military site in the region—escalating a crisis sparked by recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. No casualties have been reported.
Iran fired six missiles targeting U.S. military forces at the Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar, on Monday, marking a significant escalation in tensions in the Middle East. The base, housing around 10,000 American troops, emerged unscathed as Qatar’s air defenses successfully intercepted the missiles, preventing any casualties.
Iran’s state-run media labeled the attack as “Operation Annunciation of Victory,” claiming it as a direct response to U.S. airstrikes launched days earlier against key Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
Iranian state television broadcasted footage of the missile launches, accompanied by military-style music and the caption: “A mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
The missile attack has not only escalated the conflict but also prompted immediate regional precautions. Qatar temporarily shut down its airspace in anticipation of further attacks, while the United Arab Emirates followed suit, closing its airspace completely. Meanwhile, Bahrain issued urgent warnings to its citizens, advising immediate shelter.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, emphasized the nation’s right to respond, stating, “The state of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly, proportionate to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with international law.”
Trump’s provocative actions spark backlash
The attacks are retaliation against U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a large-scale bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear installations over the weekend. Declaring “mission success,” Trump asserted that the strikes significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Reacting to the U.S. actions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on social media platform X, “We neither initiated the war nor are seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.”
The conflict deepened further as Israel announced its own military strikes against government and regime-related targets in Tehran, warning that these strikes were only the beginning of a prolonged campaign aimed at strategic Iranian sites.
U.S. braces for further escalation
Amid ongoing missile exchanges and threats, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar urged American citizens in the region to take immediate shelter “until further notice.” Trump, active on Truth Social, inflamed tensions further, questioning the legitimacy of the Iranian regime and hinting at possible regime change.
Eleven days into the escalating crisis, international observers fear the situation may spiral into a broader conflict, with neither side showing willingness to back down.
As missiles continue flying across borders, the possibility of a larger war looms, leaving global leaders racing to prevent further escalation in an already volatile region.
