Iran launches missile strikes on US military base in Qatar

Abdullateef Fowewe

In a histrionic escalation of regional tensions, Iran has launched missile strikes targeting a United States military base located in Qatar.

The attack is a retaliation for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region.

However, the U.S. has confirmed the attack reporting that there are no casualties.

Qatar decried the attack on Al Udeid Air Base noting that it successfully intercepted the short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, Iran claimed the attack matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.

Iran also noted that it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.

The remarks made right after the attack on Monday evening indicated that Iran was seeking to reduce tensions with the United States, a sentiment echoed by President Donald Trump following the early Sunday strikes on Iran.

Following the missile attack, Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters, temporarily halted flights in its airspace, mirroring the actions taken by Qatar shortly before it was targeted.

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that United States forces had launched airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a major escalation in the Middle East conflict and direct U.S. involvement against Iran’s nuclear program, Dailyeconomy reports.

Nevertheless, Iran condemned the strikes as “outrageous” with its foreign minister warning they will have “everlasting consequences,” while Iranian officials claimed the attacks caused “no damage,” asserting nuclear materials had been evacuated in advance.