Iran’s armed forces launched a series of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles targeting the Al Udeid U.S. Air Base in Qatar early Monday. The strikes were described as a calibrated retaliation for recent American bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Doha confirmed its air defenses successfully intercepted all missiles, and Qatari authorities temporarily closed their airspace following advance notification from Iran to both the United States and Qatar via diplomatic channels . A U.S. defense official reported no casualties resulting from the attack.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps framed the assault as “devastating and powerful” and stated that the missile count matched the number of bunker-buster bombs dropped on its nuclear sites. The strikes reportedly avoided populated areas and were directed at a largely military installation.
The Al Udeid base, housing the U.S. Central Command air operations center, evacuated non-essential personnel ahead of the strike. Following the attack, Bahrain also closed its airspace, and U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria raised their defense posture in anticipation of further provocations.
The missile assault represents Tehran’s most direct military response to U.S. strikes to date—thus escalating the regional confrontation. President Trump responded by warning of “force far greater” if American forces were harmed.
As regional military installations shift to high alert, international observers are watching to see whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a full-scale escalation or if the conflict will spiral across the Middle East.
