Iran struck U.S. military bases near Qatar in what state TV called “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.” The attack came right after Qatar briefly closed its airspace amid warnings of an incoming strike.
Explosions were heard over Doha, Qatar’s capital, during the attack on the U.S.-run Combined Air Operations Center at Al-Udeid Air Base. But Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said all missiles were “successfully intercepted” and added the attack caused “no deaths or injuries.”
In Iraq, the U.S. activated its air defense system at the Ain al-Asad airbase as a precaution, Reuters reported.
A senior White House official told the Daily Beast that officials are “aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base.” President Trump did not immediately comment on the attack, which seemed to have failed.
According to sources cited by Axios and The New York Times, Iran worked with Qatar before the strike and warned the U.S. ahead of time.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attacks on bases in Iraq and Qatar on state media, calling the operation “Annunciation of Victory.” One Iranian military spokesperson said on state TV, “We warn our enemies that the era of hit and run is over.”
Al Udeid Air Base is the main U.S. military hub in the region and the largest in the Middle East. It houses about 10,000 troops, including British forces, according to Al Jazeera.
Iran said it launched the same number of missiles as the U.S. did when Trump targeted Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday. Iranian officials insisted the strikes were “far from urban and residential facilities” and promised never to attack “our friendly and brotherly” neighbor Qatar.
Qatar responded by saying it “reserves the right to defend itself” and will act “in accordance with international law,” Reuters reports.
Nearby, the UAE closed its airspace after the attack, and Bahrain urged citizens to take shelter.
Inside the White House Situation Room, Trump was reportedly watching the events unfold alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
