Iran Expands Conflict: Fires Missiles at US Bases in Qatar and Iraq in Retaliation
The deepening tensions in the Middle East took a dramatic turn on Monday as Iran launched a missile barrage targeting American military installations in Qatar and Iraq, escalating an already volatile conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Tehran.
At least 10 missiles were fired by Iran at U.S. military positions, including the Al Udeid Air Base near Doha—the largest American military presence in the Middle East—and Ain al-Asad base in Iraq’s Anbar Province, according to Israeli and regional security sources.
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The strikes, reportedly executed under a military campaign Iran has dubbed “Blessings of Victory,” were confirmed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC said it carried out a “powerful and devastating” missile operation in response to U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend.
“These missile attacks send an unmistakable message to Washington,” the IRGC said in a statement circulated by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. “Iran will respond to any violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests without hesitation.”
Local reports and eyewitnesses in Doha, the Qatari capital, confirmed explosions were heard, while international news agencies, including Agence France-Presse and Reuters, reported visible flare and interception activity over the city.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack in strong terms. “The State of Qatar considers the targeting of Al Udeid Air Base an act of aggression and reserves the right to respond in a manner that is lawful and proportional,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari declared in a statement. He added that Qatari air defense forces intercepted most of the incoming missiles.
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The Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts over 8,000 U.S. military personnel, serves as a central hub for American air operations in the region. The incident has raised fears of a broader regional war, with Qatar, long seen as a key U.S. ally, now directly caught in the crossfire.
Meanwhile, a senior White House official confirmed to Al-Monitor that U.S. military and intelligence services are on high alert. “We are actively monitoring the situation in coordination with our allies and partners,” the official stated.
This latest escalation follows the U.S. airstrikes on Sunday, authorized by President Donald Trump, which targeted three critical Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Tehran has since described the strikes as “a dangerous crossing of red lines” and vowed a strong response.
The missile launch marks Iran’s most significant direct assault on U.S. interests in the region since its 2020 retaliation for the killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani, raising alarms that the Israel-Iran conflict may now fully involve American military forces.
With no confirmed reports of casualties or structural damage as of press time, the global community now watches anxiously as the risk of a full-scale regional war intensifies.