Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply overnight as Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq. The strikes were in direct response to U.S. air raids on Iranian nuclear facilities ordered by former President Donald Trump over the weekend.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly fired at least 10 missiles toward the Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, as well as the Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq, which houses American troops.
The skies above Doha lit up with explosions as Qatar’s defense systems intercepted the incoming projectiles. The Qatari Foreign Ministry confirmed the attack but reported no casualties or damage, stating that its airspace had been secured.
“This was a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, its airspace, and international law,” a statement from the Ministry read.
Shortly before the strikes, Qatar had temporarily suspended flights in its airspace. Neighboring Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters, followed suit shortly after the missile barrage began, further reflecting the regional alarm triggered by the escalation.
Iranian state television broadcast news of the retaliation with martial music playing in the background. A banner on-screen declared the missile strikes “a mighty and successful response to America’s aggression.”
In a message posted on X, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote: “We neither initiated the war nor seek it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.”
Iran’s military emphasized that the scale of its response, specifically 10 missiles, was intended to mirror the number of bombs reportedly dropped by the U.S. on Iranian nuclear facilities, suggesting a calculated effort to retaliate without provoking broader escalation.
Tehran also claimed it deliberately targeted military zones outside of civilian areas to avoid unnecessary casualties, further underscoring what it called a “proportionate and measured” response.
At the time of reporting, U.S. military and Iraqi officials had not yet confirmed the extent of damage or injuries, if any, at Ain al-Assad Air Base. The Pentagon has not issued an official statement.
Al-Udeid Air Base is a critical hub for U.S. and allied operations across the Middle East. It houses the Combined Air Operations Center, which commands air power across 20 nations, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest such unit globally.
The missile assault came less than 48 hours after President Trump, who remains a central political figure despite being out of office, ordered a sudden and unilateral strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The move shocked international observers and reignited fears of a broader regional conflict.
World leaders have since urged restraint, with several NATO countries reportedly pressing both Washington and Tehran to de-escalate. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session later today to address the unfolding crisis.
As of now, all eyes remain on Washington and Tehran as the world braces for the next move in what could become one of the most consequential confrontations in the region in recent years.
