Iran said Monday night it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base.
It made the announcement on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X just before the attack: “We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer. With all our being, we will stand by security of the beloved nation and will answer any wound on body of Iran resorting to faith, wisdom and determination. People! God takes care of us.”
The White House and Pentagon said they are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official. The official was not authorized to comment publicly.
What to know:
- Qatar responds: Qatar Foreign Minister spokesman Majed al-Ansari issued a statement saying that Qatar’s air defenses “successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles,” and that there were no casualties.
- Iran’s statement: 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 this weekend, signaling Iran’s likely desire to de-escalate. It also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.
- How we got here: Israel launched a surprise barrage of attacks on sites in Iran on June 13, which Israeli officials said was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs. Iran has retaliated with a series of missile and drone strikes in Israel, while Israel has continued to strike sites in Iran.
Trump visited the base and addressed US and Qatari troops there in May during a trip to the region
Speaking to U.S. troops at the base then, the president said “my priority is to end conflicts, not start them.”
“But I will never hesitate to wield American power, if it’s necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here,” referring to Qatar.
“When we’re threatened, America’s military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”
Qatar Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on Al Udeid base by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards calling it “a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, its airspace, and international law.”
The ministry added that the continuation of such military activities endangers security and stability of the region.
“We call for an immediate end to all military activities,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said.
Qatar’s Defense Ministry says Iranian strikes on the gas-rich nation did not inflict any casualties.
The ministry added that Qatari forces took part in intercepting Iranian missiles that were directed toward the Al Udeid base that houses U.S. troops.
It added that Qatar’s airspace is now safe.
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.