IRAN – Iran has launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Qatar in an operation dubbed “Herald of Victory.”
Explosions heard in Qatar’s capital, Doha and air defenses activated in US airbase in Iraq.
Iran’s IRGC statement states that the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha heavily targeted.
Sirens being heard in Bahrain.
Qatar Given Advance Notice
Iran coordinated its attacks on the US airbase in Qatar with Qatari officials and provided advance warning to minimize potential casualties, The New York Times reported Monday, citing anonymous Iranian sources familiar with the operation.
The newspaper reported that Iranian officials worked with Qatar ahead of the strikes, providing notification that attacks were imminent to minimize harm.
Tehran felt compelled to demonstrate “symbolic” retaliation against the US while executing the operation in a manner that offered “all sides an exit ramp,” three Iranian officials told the newspaper.
Sources likened the strategy to Iran’s 2020 approach when it warned Iraq before launching ballistic missiles at an American base following the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general.
The Iranian Armed Forces announced they conducted “destructive and powerful missile attacks” on Al Udeid base in Qatar as part of Operation Bashayer Al-Fath or Glad Tidings of Victory.
10 Iranian missiles targeted US bases in Qatar, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
A senior White House official confirmed the administration is “aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base.”
The US Embassy advised American nationals to “shelter in place” amid the escalating conflict after weekend US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The attacks came in retaliation for US’ attacks on key Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend ordered by President Donald Trump.
Iran’s Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi vowed Monday that US nuclear facility strikes “will not go unanswered.”
Trump warned that any Iranian retaliation “will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed” during the weekend strikes.
Qatar Condemned the Strikes
Qatar on Monday condemned Iran’s missile strike on the US’ Al Udeid Air Base located on its territory, calling the attack a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty and airspace.
The Gulf state said it reserves the right to respond in line with international law, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on X following a missile attack by Iran in retaliation for weekend US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Majed al-Ansari expressed Qatar’s “strong condemnation of the attack on Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” calling it “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter.”
He stressed that “Qatar reserves the right to respond proportionately and directly to this blatant aggression, in accordance with international law.”
He said Qatari air defense systems successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles, adding that the base had been evacuated earlier as part of precautionary protocols, given the escalating tensions in the region.
All necessary measures were taken to protect personnel at the facility, including Qatari armed forces, allied troops, and others stationed at the site, he added.
Al Ansari confirmed that no casualties had resulted from the attack.