In a recent statement, US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Iran for the early warning regarding their attack on the US-operated Al Udeid air base in Qatar. He stated, “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.”
Following the attempted airstrike, Trump suggested that the US would not respond with retaliation. In a series of posts on X, he conveyed his hope that Iran had “gotten it all out of their ‘system'” and that there would be no further hostility. He also mentioned that he would actively encourage Israel to pursue peace alongside Iran.
During his commentary, Trump also remarked on the Iranian missiles, mentioning that while Iran fired 14 missiles, 13 were intercepted, and one was allowed to continue because it posed no threat. He characterized the Iranian retaliation for the recent US strikes on their nuclear facilities as “very weak.”
In a follow-up announcement, President Trump declared a “complete and total” ceasefire aimed at resolving tensions between Israel and Iran, stating, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!” He also elaborated on the US’s successful military operations against Iran’s nuclear sites, specifically naming Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, and congratulated the US military for their success.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military has warned of potential “serious, unpredictable consequences” for the US, with government officials seeking consultations with Russian President Vladimir Putin for support regarding their next steps. Following their missile attack, Iranian authorities stated that their operation was a direct response to what they labeled an “aggressive and shameless attack” by the US on their nuclear infrastructure.
A statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council emphasized the principle of proportional retaliation in military responses, highlighting the correspondence in the number of missiles used by Iran in relation to the US assault on its nuclear facilities.
Iran launched an attack on the US base in Qatar just two days after the US conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. Late this evening, explosions were heard across the capital of Qatar.
Qatar reported having prior knowledge of the air strikes from Iran, stating that there were no casualties as its air defense system successfully intercepted the missiles. Nevertheless, the country condemned the assault, labeling it a blatant violation of its sovereignty, airspace, and international law.
Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, issued a statement expressing Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on Al Udeid Air Base. He emphasized that this act represents a serious infringement on Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as a challenge to international law.
In response to the incident, Qatar, along with four other nations, closed its airspace. While flights in Qatar remain suspended, Bahrain and Kuwait have since reopened their airspace for travel.
Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, was established in 1996. Covering 60 acres, it accommodates around 100 aircraft and drones and can house up to 10,000 troops. The base serves as the forward headquarters for CENTCOM (the US Central Command) and has played a significant role in US military operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
