Iran Strikes US' Al Udeid Airbase In Qatar With Missiles In Retaliation To American Attack

Iran has claimed responsibility for a missile attack on United States forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, stating it was in retaliation for recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Monday that it had carried out the retaliatory strike targeting the American base, according to a report by Iran's Tasnim news agency.

Tasnim referred to the operation as the "Annunciation of Victory".

Flares were seen over Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Monday. It was initially unclear whether these were from the air defence systems or the incoming missiles. Loud explosions were also reported.

Prior to the attack, both the US and UK embassies in Qatar had issued advisories urging their citizens to shelter in place until further notice.

In response to the heightened threat, Qatar temporarily closed its airspace as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

Qatar is among several Gulf nations hosting significant numbers of US troops, alongside Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. These bases play vital roles in regional air and naval operations, logistics, intelligence gathering, and military force deployment.

Al Udeid, established in 1996, is the largest US military base in the Middle East.

Spanning approximately 24 hectares (60 acres), the base is home to around 10,000 personnel and supports nearly 100 aircraft, including drones.

It serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM) and has been instrumental in American military operations across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.