Qatar on Monday stated that it “reserved the right to respond” after Iran attacked the US Al Udeid base hosted in the Gulf state, the largest American military facility in the region.
The foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement “We affirm that the State of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression’”
He added that the US base had been evacuated as a precaution ahead of the attack.
Iran launched a missile attack on United States military bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday evening, in what its state-run media described as a forceful retaliation against recent American airstrikes on her nuclear facilities.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), “The operation of Iranian missiles against American bases located in Qatar and in Iraq has begun and is called ‘Blessing of Victory’.”
AFP reporters in Doha, Qatar’s capital, reported hearing loud explosions. Doha is home to the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
Responding to the developments, Qatari authorities confirmed that their defence systems intercepted the incoming missiles aimed at the US base.
“The Ministry of Defence announced that Qatari air defences successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base,” a government statement read, noting further that “the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries”.
This missile strike marks a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, following recent confrontations linked to alleged sabotage at nuclear facilities within Iran.
Reacting to the attack on the military base, President Donald Trump on Monday described it as “very weak,” while welcoming “early notice” given by Tehran.
“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 posted on his Truth Social platform.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured,” he added.
