Iran Launches Missile Strikes on U.S. Bases in Qatar and Iraq
Explosions Light Up Doha Sky as Iran Targets al-Udeid Airbase Amid Escalating Tensions with U.S.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Iran has initiated a military operation targeting the U.S. al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, Iranian state television confirmed late Monday night.
The strikes come amid soaring tensions following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last weekend.
Explosions and flares were reported over Doha earlier, and it has now been confirmed that the activity was part of an Iranian assault on the Middle East’s largest U.S. military installation.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN has reported that Iran fired at least 10 missiles targeting U.S. military bases in Qatar.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency confirmed that a missile operation targeting US bases in Qatar and Iraq is underway.
The operation is called “Annunciation of Victory,” as reported by the agency.
The al-Udeid Airbase, located southwest of Doha, is believed to be a key point of concern.
Spanning 24 hectares, the base serves as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations across a vast region from Egypt to Kazakhstan.
It is the largest U.S. base in the Middle East and houses approximately 10,000 troops.
According to Anadolu Agency, a senior White House official stated that White House and Pentagon are ‘aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.’
Qatar has strongly condemned the missile attack on the al-Udeid Airbase, labeling it a “violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, airspace, and the UN Charter.”
Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, issued a stern statement, saying, “We, in the State of Qatar, reserve our right to respond directly … to this blatant aggression in accordance with international law.”
The Qatari Defense Ministry confirmed that the country’s air defenses successfully intercepted and neutralized the Iranian missiles, ensuring that no casualties were reported.
The ministry reassured the public that Qatari airspace remains safe following the attack.
Preparedness of US and regional precautions
The U.S. military had been preparing for an “imminent threat” of an Iranian strike on al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, according to Fox News reports.
Intelligence warnings had identified al-Udeid as a likely target, with Iran potentially using short- or medium-range cruise missiles or drone swarms, sources revealed.
In anticipation, the U.S. relocated much of its non-hangered aircraft from the base last week before carrying out strikes on Iran.
In a precautionary measure, Qatar had temporarily closed its airspace, citing the evolving situation.
The U.S. and U.K. embassies in Qatar have advised their citizens to shelter in place, while local authorities have ordered schools to remain closed tomorrow.
The incident in Doha follows growing international condemnation of the U.S. strikes on Iran, with nations such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and several Latin American countries urging restraint and dialogue.
Iran’s threats of retaliation have added to the tensions, with Qatar’s proximity to Iran and the presence of the U.S. military making it a potential flashpoint.
The recent U.S. airstrikes, which were described by President Donald Trump as a “spectacular military success,” have drawn sharp criticism from global leaders and organizations, including the United Nations, which warned of the catastrophic consequences of further escalation.
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