Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Qatar in Retaliation for Nuclear Site Bombings
In a major escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iran launched a missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, in response to recent U.S. airstrikes on its underground nuclear facilities. Explosions were reported across Doha as Iranian forces carried out what they described as a “devastating and powerful” strike. The Al Udeid base, the largest U.S. military installation in the region, houses thousands of U.S. troops and serves as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command.
While Iran claimed the strike was significant, U.S. officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters according to reports, confirmed that no U.S. personnel were injured or killed. The missiles used were identified as short-range and medium-range ballistic types. A senior Iranian official indicated that while Tehran is open to diplomacy, it will only consider negotiations after responding to what it views as acts of aggression. “If the United States seeks talks, it must first stop all attacks alongside Israel,” the official said.
Also Read:
Iran’s attack was in direct retaliation for U.S. bombings over the weekend, in which heavy bunker-buster bombs were dropped on key Iranian nuclear sites. President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of overthrowing the Iranian government, fueling further anger in Tehran. Iranian military officials also warned of “serious, unpredictable consequences” for the U.S. if provocations continued.
Despite the missile attack, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior stated that the security situation remained stable and under control. However, the Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned Iran’s actions as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Spokesman Majed Al-Ansari declared that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly and lawfully. Qatari air defences were reportedly able to intercept the incoming missiles before they caused significant damage, and no casualties were reported.
In a statement reported by Al Jazeera, Qatar’s defence minister confirmed that air defences were fully operational during the attack, which was coordinated by Iran with Qatari officials to minimize human loss. Nevertheless, Qatar announced the temporary closure of its airspace and issued advisories through the U.S. embassy, urging residents and American nationals to shelter in place as a precaution.
The attack drew sharp condemnation from regional powers. Saudi Arabia labeled Iran’s action as “unjustifiable” and pledged full support to Qatar, despite past tensions between the two Gulf nations. Riyadh offered to deploy “all its capabilities” to defend Qatar, stating that such aggression cannot be accepted under any circumstances. The United Arab Emirates echoed this stance, calling Iran’s missile strike a “blatant violation” of Qatar’s airspace and sovereignty and warned that such provocations could destabilize the entire region.
Iran’s aggression followed Israel’s earlier bombing of Evin prison in Tehran, a facility known for holding political prisoners, suggesting a shift in strategy by targeting the Iranian regime’s internal institutions. The ongoing conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran has pushed the region into a volatile state, with both military and civilian sectors on high alert.
While Iran has threatened to disrupt oil shipments in the Gulf in retaliation, global oil markets remained largely steady, reflecting traders’ skepticism that Tehran will escalate the conflict to the point of jeopardizing energy exports. Nonetheless, military installations across the region have been placed on alert. U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, including Ain al-Asad and Qasrak in Hasakah province, activated their air defence systems amid fears of further Iranian or proxy attacks.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a diplomatic push to rally support from key allies. Russia remains one of Tehran’s few powerful backers as tensions with the West intensify.
‘Flagrant violation of sovereignty’: Qatar says reserves right to respond after Iran’s attack on US base
Qatar has strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base located within its territory, calling it a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty and international law. In an official statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari emphasized that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly and proportionally to this “brazen aggression.” The Qatari government confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted the incoming missiles and that no casualties occurred, as the base had been evacuated earlier under heightened security protocols.
Qatar warned that continued military escalation risks dragging the region into a broader conflict with potentially catastrophic consequences for international peace and stability. The country urged all parties to immediately cease military operations and return to diplomacy. Stressing its longstanding commitment to dialogue and regional stability, Qatar reiterated its call for restraint and highlighted its consistent warnings about the dangers of unchecked Israeli and U.S. military actions in the region. The statement concluded by reaffirming that peaceful negotiation remains the only viable path forward to resolve the crisis.
‘Very weak’ response from Iran, says Trump
Former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s missile strike on the U.S. base in Qatar as a “very weak response” to the earlier U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed 14 missiles were fired by Iran, 13 were intercepted, and one was allowed to pass as it posed no threat.
“Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- “There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was ‘set free,’ because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” he continued.
- Trump claimed that Iran has “gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.”
- “Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” he concluded.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
