Iran Launches Missile Strikes on US Bases in Qatar and Iraq in Retaliation for American Attacks on Nuclear Sites

Iran fired missiles at U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday evening, according to official media, describing the assault as a “powerful” retaliation for recent American strikes targeting critical nuclear facilities.

Loud blasts echoed through central Doha and Lusail, north of the Qatari capital, as projectiles lit up the night sky, according to AFP, shortly after Qatar closed its airspace.

“The operation of Iranian missiles against American bases located in Qatar and Iraq has begun, and is called ‘Blessing of Victory’,” the official Iranian press agency IRNA said.

Iran National Security Council confirms targeting of US base in Qatar on Monday evening.

“In response to the US aggressive and insolent action against Iran’s nuclear sites and facilities, a few hours ago, the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran struck the US air base in Al-Udeid, Qatar,” Iran’s National Security Council said in a statement, adding that the number of missiles used “was the same as the number of bombs that the US had used in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities”.

“This action does not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar,” it added.

According to the New York Times, Iran coordinated with Qatari officials ahead of launching attacks on a U.S. air base in Qatar, providing advance notice in an apparent effort to minimise casualties.

Qatar, in a statement, said that it had successfully intercepted an Iranian missile attack on Monday on the United States’ Al Udeid base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.

“The Ministry of Defence announced that Qatari air defences successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base,” it said in a statement, adding that “the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries”.