Iran launches missile attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq

Iran has launched attacks on United States military bases in Qatar and Iraq.

The attacks on Monday evening follow the Iranian government’s statement that it would retaliate against the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

“The operation of Iranian missiles against American bases located in Qatar and in Iraq has begun, and is called ‘Blessing of Victory’,” the official press agency IRNA said, confirming the attacks.

Flares were visible over Qatar’s capital, Doha, on Monday. It was initially not immediately known if this was the air defence system or missiles.

Loud explosions were also heard, although so far no injuries have been reported. Qatar’s Defence Ministry says its air defence systems successfully intercepted missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base.

In a statement, the IRGC said the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries, crediting “the vigilance of the armed forces and precautionary measures taken”.

“This action does not pose any threat to the friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and continuing warm and historic relations with Qatar.”

Qatar condemns attack

Meanwhile, Qatar, while condemning the attack as a blatant violation of its sovereignty, said it had successfully intercepted an Iranian missile attack Monday on the United States’ Al Udeid base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.

“The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base,” it said in a statement, adding that “the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries”.

Qatar also said it “reserved the right to respond” after Iran attacked the US Al Udeid base hosted in the Gulf state, the largest American military facility in the region.

“We affirm that the State of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement, adding that the US base had been evacuated as a precaution ahead of the attack.

Kuwait Airways suspends flights

Kuwait Airways is the latest airline to suspend flights, citing regional developments.

The announcement, posted to the airline’s X account, follows the closure of airspace by Qatar and Bahrain, Reuters reported.