Iran Ignites Explosive Missile Barrage on U.S. Al Udeid Military Base in Qatar, Shocking the Region!
On Monday, Iran launched an assault on the U.S.-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, two days after the United States conducted airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran. Reports from various news outlets indicated that explosions were heard across Qatar, with images capturing missiles over the capital, Doha. Qatari officials reported that their air defenses successfully neutralized the incoming missiles.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility, stating they unleashed a “devastating and powerful missile” barrage on the Al Udeid base. Iranian state media had previously announced a military operation dubbed “Annunciation of Victory” targeting U.S. installations. A U.S. defense official confirmed the attack involved short- and medium-range ballistic missiles from Iran, noting no American casualties at this stage, though the situation is being closely monitored with further updates expected.
Qatar’s government verified the attack on the air base, located southwest of Doha, and confirmed that its defenses intercepted the Iranian missiles, resulting in no injuries. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strike as a blatant violation of its sovereignty, airspace, international law, and the UN Charter, reserving the right to respond proportionately under international law.
A senior White House official acknowledged ongoing monitoring of threats to Al Udeid, a key CENTCOM headquarters hosting thousands of U.S. troops currently under shelter-in-place orders. Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, prompting a temporary airspace closure. Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet and around 9,000 service members, urged residents to seek shelter and stay calm.
Diplomatic sources revealed that U.S. and Qatari officials held meetings over the weekend and Monday to anticipate and prepare for the Iranian retaliation, which was deemed an expected response. Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar and the Qatari foreign ministry advised Americans and residents to shelter in place and closed the airspace for safety.
The U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend followed a series of Israeli attacks on Iran and subsequent Iranian counterstrikes on Israel. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard criticized the U.S. actions as aggressive and suggested that the widespread U.S. military presence in the region increases its vulnerability.
On Wednesday, U.S. lawmakers are scheduled for classified briefings on the Iran situation and potential military responses. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the president’s decision to strike, citing imminent danger, while Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenged the lack of evidence presented to Congress, emphasizing the constitutional requirement for legislative approval of offensive military actions. This has fueled calls from some legislators, including Rep. Thomas Massie, to invoke the War Powers Act, though Speaker Johnson dismissed the timing for such a resolution.