Iran launched a missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites.
The announcement was made on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.
What to know:
- The White House responds: The White House and Pentagon aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official. The official was not authorized to comment publicly.
- Nuclear fears mount: In Vienna, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said he expected there to be heavy damage at the Fordo facility already following the Sunday’s U.S. airstrike there with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs. But several Iranian officials have claimed Iran removed nuclear material from targeted sites ahead of time.
- How we got here: Israel launched a surprise barrage of attacks on sites in Iran on June 13, which Israeli officials said was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs. Iran has retaliated with a series of missile and drone strikes in Israel, while Israel has continued to strike sites in Iran.
Here are more updates:
Trump visited the base and addressed US and Qatari troops there in May during a trip to the region
Speaking to U.S. troops at the base in May, the president said “my priority is to end conflicts, not start them.”
“But I will never hesitate to wield American power, if it’s necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here,” referring to Qatar.
“When we’re threatened, America’s military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”
Iran launched a missile attack on US forces at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites
Iran said Monday night it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base. It made the announcement on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.
White House monitoring reported Iranian strikes on US base in Qatar
The White House and Pentagon aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official. The official was not authorized to comment publicly.
Explosions seen and heard in skies over Qatar
Explosions boomed in Qatar on Monday night as witnesses said they saw what appeared to be missiles in the skies over the country.
There was no immediate acknowledgment from Qatari authorities of the possible attack.
It came as Qatar closed its airspace amid Iranian threats to retaliate against the United States over its bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday.
Qatar Foreign Ministry says the airspace closure is a precautionary measure
“This is part of a series of precautionary measures taken in response to recent developments in the region,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its state-run Qatar News Agency.
“Authorities are closely and continuously monitoring the situation, assessing developments in coordination with regional and international partners, and will provide the public with updated information in a timely manner through official channels,” it added.
Qatar, home to the Al Jazeera satellite news network, also hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has begun in recent years to mend its relations with other Gulf countries after a diplomatic crisis saw it cut off for years in President Donald Trump’s first term.
Qatar’s airspace closure comes after US Embassy alert
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued an unexplained alert on its website in the afternoon telling Americans in the energy-rich nation to “shelter in place until further notice.”
The embassy did not elaborate and did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press on the message. The British Embassy issued a similar warning hours later, without elaborating.
Initially, Qatar downplayed the warning. But Monday night, it issued the extraordinary order to shut its busy airspace.
Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, is home to Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command. Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid in the past, but not after Sunday’s strike — though state television has mentioned American bases in its broadcasts.
Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran.
Trump questions ex-Russian president, suggesting some countries could give nuclear warheads to Iran
Trump is casting doubt on former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s suggestions that “a number” of countries were considering supplying Iran with nuclear warheads.
“Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on his social media site.
The president also questioned Medvedev’s authority compared to Russian President Vladimir Putin, writing that the threat of nuclear attack “should not be treated so casually. I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS.’”
Trump ended his message with an implicit threat. He said U.S. bombing might displayed in Iran over the weekend could pale in comparison to the lethal force of “our nuclear submarines.”
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