Iran Launches Missile Attacks on US Bases in Qatar and Iraq
Tens of thousands of American troops are based in the Middle East, many in locations within range of short-range Iranian missiles
Tehran: In a massive escalation in the Israel-Iran-United States conflict, Iran fired at least six missiles at a US air base in Al Udied, the biggest such facility in the Middle East and regional headquarters for US Central Command, which oversees the American military in the region.
Qatar said it had intercepted the missies, there were no casualties and that it reserved the right to retaliate. Saudi Arabia lambasted Iran for its “unjustifiable” attack and offered to deploy “all its capabilities” to support Doha, with whom it has had fraught relations in the past.
There are about 9,000 US service members in gas-rich Qatar, which sits just across the Persian Gulf from Iran. Incidentally, there are about 7.5 lakh Indians in Qatar.
Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait announced closure of their air spaces, resulted in several international flights out of India to return. Qatar said that it reserved the right to respond after the attack. An official statement from the US was awaited at the time of going to print.
Earlier in the day, Israel Israeli military reported bombed Iran's Fordow nuclear site, attacked by the US a day earlier, to obstruct access routes, as well as Iran Revolutionary Guard sites and the Evin prison, airports and the power facility in Tehran. Iran, in turn, fired missile barrages at Israel
Officials said the Iranian attack on Doha was expected and UK and US diplomatic missions advised Doha-based residents earlier in the day to shelter in place “until further notice.”
Iranian officials suggested the move had a symbolic element. The number of missiles fired matched the number of deep-strike bombs used by the US on its nuclear facilities.
Iran said the Qatar strike “posed no danger” to a “friendly and brotherly country,” the state-run IRNA news agency said. A Qatari government spokesman said on X that the base had been evacuated earlier.
The Indian Embassy in Doha said that "in view of the ongoing situation, the Indian community in Qatar is urged to be cautious and remains indoors". It added, "Please remain calm and follow local news, instructions and guidance provides by Qatari authorities. The Embassy will also keep updating through our social media channels."
Early signs suggest the Iranian response is proving calibrated in order to send a retaliatory message, while limiting the risk of broader escalation. A controlled geopolitical response, in turn, may reduce the prospect of a broader supply-chain shock.
Reports from Doha said explosions could be heard across the city shortly after Qatar closed its airspace. The blasts could be heard in central Doha and in Lusail north of the Qatari capital, and projectiles could be seen moving across the night sky.
Meanwhile, a series of explosions was heard Monday night in the north of Tehran, according an AFP journalist, just as Iran announced it was launching missiles at US bases in retaliation for American strikes on nuclear facilities.
The journalist reported yellow flashes typical of Iranian air defences in the sky over Tehran shortly before 9 pm.
