Iran attacks US base in Qatar with missiles after nuclear strikes; no casualties as most missiles intercepted.

Iran Retaliates With Missile Strike on Al Udeid Air Base

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply Monday as Iran launched a missile attack on Al Udeid, the American airbase in Qatar, in response to US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. The base, which is the largest US military installation in the region and home to about 10,000 American troops, came under fire from both short- and medium-range ballistic missiles fired from Iran.

According to US defense officials and Qatar's foreign ministry, 14 missiles were launched at the base, but Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted 13. The remaining missile landed in a nonthreatening area, resulting in no casualties or significant damage. Explosions were reportedly heard in Doha, prompting US and British embassies to issue shelter-in-place advisories for their citizens and limiting base access to essential personnel only.

Trump Responds, Calls Attack 'Very Weak'

President Donald Trump addressed the incident on social media, calling Iran’s response “very weak” and thanking Tehran for providing advance notice of the attack, which minimized the risk to US personnel. “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. He added that Iran had “gotten it all out of their ‘system,’” expressing hope for peace and urging all parties to move toward stability in the region.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, stated that the attack was a direct response to US B-2 bombers dropping 14 bunker buster bombs on three key Iranian nuclear sites. Iran’s President Mahmoud Pezeshkian insisted that Iran would not leave American aggression “unanswered,” vowing to defend the nation’s security with determination. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the missile attack, warning that the “era of hit and run is over.”

Qatar Condemns Violation of Sovereignty

Qatar’s foreign ministry swiftly condemned the missile barrage as a “brazen aggression” and a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty. “Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles,” spokesperson Majed Al Ansari stated, assuring the public that authorities were monitoring the situation closely. Qatar temporarily closed its airspace and suspended flights, joining Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, and the UAE in taking precautionary measures amid regional instability.

While the Iranian response was largely symbolic, its advance notice to US and Qatari officials was interpreted as a sign that Tehran aimed to avoid major escalation. Satellite imagery revealed that US forces had relocated vulnerable aircraft prior to the attack. Nonetheless, the Pentagon and regional allies remain on heightened alert, wary of possible further action.

Regional Security on High Alert

The incident underscores the strategic significance of Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts not only US airlift and refueling assets but also serves as a logistical hub for operations across Iraq and Syria. President Trump, who visited the base last month to sign a major military sales agreement with Doha, warned Iran that any further retaliation would be met with overwhelming force. As diplomatic channels remain tense, both American and Qatari officials continue to prioritize security and caution in the wake of the strikes.