Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region.
People in Doha, Qatar’s capital, stopped and looked up as missiles flew and interceptors fired and struck at least one missile in the night sky. Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base.
A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response” to “America’s aggression” as martial music played.
Iran also targeted the Ain al-Assad base housing US troops in western Iraq, an Iraqi security official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.The attacks came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.
Iran said its missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites, signalling Iran’s likely desire to deescalate.
Iran made the announcement Monday night in a statement from its Supreme National Security Council after the attack, which Qatar said caused no injuries. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.
Qatar on Monday issued a statement condemning an Iranian attack on air base and said no casualties were reported.
The quick statement from Qatar Foreign Minister spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that the energy-rich nation “condemns the attack that targeted Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.”
“We reassure that Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles,” it added.
Al Udeid is also home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of airpower across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest expeditionary wing in the world.
Israel strikes Iranian govt targets: Israel said it hit more Iranian government targets Monday in Tehran, including the notorious Evin Prison, as other strikes targeted Iran’s underground enrichment site at Fordo for a second time.
Iran, meanwhile, fired more missiles and drones at Israel and warned the United States that its military now has a “free hand” to attack American targets after the Trump administration’s massive strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday. Tens of thousands of American troops are based in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump, who has warned of additional strikes if Tehran retaliates against US forces, mused Sunday about the possibility of “regime change” in Iran, though administration officials earlier in the day indicated they wanted to restart talks with the country— even directly.
Meanwhile, the son of Iran’s last Shah has offered to take over the Iranian leadership and lead the country’s transition to democracy.