As a direct reaction to recent American attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iranian state television reported Monday that its military has launched a missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
With martial music playing and a message on screen, the announcement was broadcast on Iranian official media, characterizing the strike as a powerful and effective reaction by Iran’s military forces to American aggression.
The purported incident came after Iran threatened reprisal, prompting Qatar to briefly close its airspace earlier Monday, citing regional security concerns.
The amount of damage or casualties at the base has not yet been confirmed by U.S. officials. As foreign observers keep an eye out for any new developments, the situation is still tight.
UPDATED AT 12:26 P.M.
After Iran claimed to have launched a retaliation strike on U.S. forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar has acknowledged that its air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at the base.
Qatar denounces the Iranian Revolutionary Guard attack on Al Udeid Air Base, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said in a statement issued Monday.
The statement also said that the Iranian missiles were intercepted by Qatar’s air defenses, which effectively stopped the attack.
Qatar also called for a serious return to the negotiating table and engagement in order to achieve a diplomatic solution to the growing conflict.
Coordinating U.S. and ally airpower throughout the region, the Combined Air Operations Center is located at Al Udeid Air Base. The world’s largest unit of its sort, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, is also based there.
