Explosions heard over Qatar capital Doha after Iran threat to retaliate for US strikes
Explosions were heard over Qatar's capital Doha on Monday, a Reuters witness reported, shortly after a Western diplomat said there had been a credible Iranian threat against the US-run al Udeid airbase in the Gulf Arab state since midday.
The diplomat spoke soon after Qatar announced it had closed its air space temporarily to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Earlier, the US embassy in Qatar had advised Americans to shelter in place, out of what it said was 'an abundance of caution'.
Iran has issued threats to retaliate against the US after US bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on the country's underground nuclear installations over the weekend, while President Donald Trump openly raised the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled.
Earlier on Monday, Israel struck a jail for political prisoners in Tehran in a potent demonstration that it was expanding its targets beyond military and nuclear sites to aim squarely at the pillars of Iran's ruling system.
Two US officials said Washington assessed that Iran could carry out attacks targeting American forces in the Middle East soon, though the US is still seeking a diplomatic resolution that would see Tehran forgo any reprisal.
Despite Iran's threats to challenge oil shipments from the Gulf, oil prices largely held steady, suggesting traders doubted the Islamic Republic would follow through on any action that would disrupt global supplies.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Tehran sought backing from one of its last major power friends for its next steps.
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Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Iran fires missiles at US airbase in Qatar; attack intercepted with no casualties, says Doha
Iran, which Washington had warned not to retaliate or face massive US military action, had informed the US via two diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack. Iran's military said it carried out a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar on Monday after explosions were heard across the Qatari capital following Tehran's threat to retaliate for US airstrikes on its nuclear sites. The Iranian military said the attack was 'devastating and powerful', but US officials said no US personnel were killed or injured in the attack on the airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. Iran, which had been warned by Washington not to retaliate or face massive US military action, had informed the US via two diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack, as well as Qatari authorities, a senior regional source told Reuters. Qatar's defence minister told Al Jazeera its air defences had intercepted missiles directed at the base. Iran had issued threats to retaliate against the United States after US bombers dropped 13.6-tonne (30,000-pound) bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel's air war against Tehran, and President Donald Trump mooted the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled. The attack came shortly after a Western diplomat told Reuters there had been a credible threat to a US military base in the Gulf state following the unprecedented US airstrikes on Iran's uranium enrichment programme. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Qatar, situated just across the Gulf from Iran, had shut its airspace after receiving the warning from Iran. Bahrain, another US-allied Gulf Arab state just to the north of Qatar, said it had also shut its airspace after the Iranian strike against the Al Udeid base. In addition, the US Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq had activated its air defence system out of concern for a potential attack, said military sources. The main US military base in Iraq's western neighbour Syria was also on full alert for possible attack by Iran or Iran-aligned militia groups, said a Syrian security source. Qatar, a small, wealthy Gulf Arab state, had earlier announced it had closed its airspace temporarily to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. That followed an advisory from the US embassy in Qatar to Americans to shelter in place, out of what it said was 'an abundance of caution'. Two US officials said Washington had assessed that Iran could carry out attacks targeting US forces in the Middle East soon, although the US was still seeking a diplomatic resolution that would see Tehran forgo any reprisal. Earlier on Monday, Israel bombed a political prison in Tehran, in a renewed demonstration of its willingness to strike not only beyond military and nuclear targets but key pillars of Iran's ruling system. Despite Iran's threats to challenge oil shipments from the Gulf, oil prices fell by 4% in volatile trading, suggesting traders doubted the Islamic Republic would follow through on any action that would disrupt global supplies. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Tehran sought backing from one of its last major power friends for its next steps. 'Viva la libertad' Israel made clear that its strikes on Evin prison and other targets in Tehran were intended to hit the Iranian ruling apparatus broadly and its ability to sustain power. 'Viva la libertad!' wrote Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on X, accompanying a video of an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison. Reuters could not immediately verify the video posted by Saar, although other videos showing the aftermath of the strike on the prison were verified as genuine. Iran's Irib state broadcaster released video showing rescue workers combing the flattened wreckage of a building at the prison, carrying a wounded man on a stretcher. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary said urgent action was being taken to protect the health and safety of inmates there. Evin has long been Iran's primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, as well as the site of executions. Several high-profile foreign prisoners are held there. Israel's military said it had also struck Revolutionary Guard command centres responsible for internal security in the Tehran area. The military was 'currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran', said Defense Minister Israel Katz. Much of Tehran's population of 10 million has fled after 10 days of bombing. Tasnim news agency reported a strike at an electricity feeder station in the Evin neighbourhood. Power company Tavanir reported that some areas in the capital saw electricity cuts. Limited options Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear production sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. 'Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it,' said Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, on Monday in a recorded, English-language video statement. The Trump administration maintains that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear programme, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Five insiders with knowledge of the discussions said efforts had been ramped up to anoint a successor for Iran's 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba (56), and Hassan Khomeini (53), grandson of the revolution's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, were now seen as the frontrunners, they said. DM
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Hackers hit Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, while global crypto markets tumble after US bombing
At the intersection of geopolitics and cryptocurrency, a sophisticated cyberattack on Iran's financial infrastructure has reverberated through global crypto markets, offering sobering lessons for regulators worldwide. In what appears to be one of the most politically motivated cryptocurrency heists in history, the pro-Israel hacker group Gonjeshke Darande (Predatory Sparrow) infiltrated Iran's largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, making off with between R1.5-billion and R1.8-billion in bitcoin, ethereum, dogecoin, XRP and solana. But here's the twist: it wasn't about the money. Instead, the hackers 'burned' the stolen cryptocurrency, permanently removing it from circulation by sending it to inaccessible wallet addresses — a digital equivalent of setting cash on fire. The attackers used provocative 'vanity addresses' containing explicit anti-terrorist messages, making their political motivations crystal clear. After the IRGC's 'Bank Sepah' comes the turn of Nobitex WARNING! In 24 hours, we will release Nobitex's source code and internal information from their internal network. Any assets that remain there after that point will be at risk! The Nobitex exchange is at the heart of the… — Gonjeshke Darande (@GonjeshkeDarand) June 18, 2025 'Unlike typical hacks for financial gain, the intent here appears to have been politically motivated, aiming to take funds away from the regime,' according to an analysis of the incident. The same group also claimed responsibility for simultaneously destroying data at Iran's state-owned Bank Sepah, which they accused of funding Iran's military. The sophistication of these attacks has led security experts to suggest they're beyond the capabilities of typical activist hackers and more in line with nation-state operations. Iran's crypto curfew response Iran's central bank responded by imposing strict operating hours on domestic crypto exchanges, limiting them to 10am-8pm daily. This 'crypto curfew' appears designed to prevent capital flight during periods of high geopolitical tension and assert greater control over citizens' cross-border cryptocurrency transactions. It's not the first time Iran has flexed its regulatory muscles over crypto. In December, the central bank temporarily shut down all exchanges to prevent the national currency, the rial, from depreciating further. The timing couldn't be worse for Iranian crypto users. Chainalysis notes that Nobitex plays a critical role in Iran's crypto ecosystem, processing more than R200-billion in total inflows, significantly more than the next 10 largest Iranian exchanges combined. For Iranian users cut off from traditional finance due to international sanctions, it serves as a crucial gateway to global crypto markets. Lessons for Africa When national currencies face devaluation due to economic instability or sanctions, cryptocurrencies and stablecoins can serve as stores of value. This is particularly relevant in African countries experiencing high inflation or currency instability. Unlike traditional financial systems that can be easily shut down or restricted by governments, cryptocurrency networks operate across borders and are more difficult to completely block, though governments can still restrict access to exchanges and on-ramps. Iran's crypto curfew shows how quickly governments can impose restrictions during crises. This uncertainty can affect market access and asset values. The key is staying informed about local regulations, using reputable exchanges with strong security practices, and understanding that while cryptocurrency can provide financial flexibility during uncertain times, it's not immune to geopolitical shocks and market volatility. Global market meltdown The crypto market's reaction to escalating Middle East tensions has been swift and brutal. Following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and President Donald Trump's hints at potential regime change, global cryptocurrency markets shed more than R20-billion in liquidations within 24 hours. Bitcoin crashed below the six-figure mark for the first time in 45 days. Ethereum plummeted to its lowest price since May, while solana dropped by 8%. The Block's GMCI30 index, tracking the top 30 cryptocurrencies, slid by nearly 10% over the week, with smaller altcoins faring even worse — small caps plunged by 17% and AI-linked tokens plummeted by 20%. Perhaps most tellingly, Iran's parliament urged leaders to consider closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global oil shipments. While Iran has never successfully closed the strait, the mere threat rattled markets and highlighted how quickly geopolitical tensions can spill over into financial markets. The selloff challenges the narrative of bitcoin as a 'safe haven' asset during geopolitical uncertainty. Instead of flocking to crypto, traders opted to cash out, suggesting that fear temporarily outweighed any safe haven appeal. African lessons in regulatory balance The Iranian situation offers valuable lessons for African regulators grappling with how to approach cryptocurrency regulation. Sub-Saharan Africa has the world's highest rate of stablecoin adoption at 9.3%, with Nigeria ranking as the world's second-largest adopter of digital assets. But the Nobitex hack serves as a reminder of the cybersecurity risks associated with centralised exchanges. African countries and exchanges need robust security protocols, regular audits, and clear incident response plans to protect user funds and maintain trust. Perhaps most importantly, the Iranian situation demonstrates the dangers of regulatory ambiguity. Iran's central bank warnings conflict with the pervasive use of crypto in the country, creating uncertainty that can be exploited by bad actors or lead to poorly designed reactive policies. DM
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Iran fires missiles at US airbase in Qatar in retaliatory strike
Iran's military said it carried out a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar on Monday after explosions were heard across the Qatari capital after Tehran's threat to retaliate for US air strikes on its nuclear sites. The Iranian military said the attack was 'devastating and powerful' but US officials said no US personnel were killed or injured in the attack on the airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. Iran, which had been warned by Washington not to retaliate or face huge US military action, had informed the US via two diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack, as well as Qatari authorities, a senior regional source told Reuters. Qatar's defence minister told Al Jazeera its air defences had intercepted missiles directed at the Al Udeid airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. Iran had issued threats to retaliate against the US after US bombers dropped 13,600kg bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel's air war against Tehran, and US President Donald Trump mooted the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled. The attack came shortly after a Western diplomat told Reuters there had been a credible threat to a US military base in the Gulf state after the unprecedented US air strikes on Iran's uranium enrichment programme. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Qatar, situated just across the Gulf from Iran, had shut its airspace after receiving the advance warning from Iran. Bahrain, another US-allied Gulf Arab state just to the north of Qatar, said it had also shut its airspace after the Iranian strike against the Al Udeid base. In addition, the US Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq had activated its air defence system out of concern for a potential attack, military sources said. The main US military base in Iraq's western neighbour Syria was also on full alert for possible attack by Iran or Iran-aligned militia groups, a Syrian security source said. Qatar, a small, wealthy Gulf Arab state, had earlier announced it had closed its airspace temporarily to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. That followed an advisory from the US embassy in Qatar to Americans to shelter in place, out of what it said was 'an abundance of caution'. Two US officials said Washington had assessed that Iran could carry out attacks targeting American forces in the Middle East soon, though the US was still seeking a diplomatic resolution that would see Tehran forgo any reprisal. Oil prices slipped more than $3, or 4%, on Monday after Iran's attack on the US military base in Qatar but took no action to disrupt oil and gas tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures were down $2.91, or 3.8%, at $74.09 a barrel 7.13pm GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) eased $2.8, or 3.8%, to $71.06. Earlier on Monday, Israel bombed a political prison in Tehran, in a renewed demonstration of its willingness to strike not only beyond military and nuclear targets but key pillars of Iran's ruling system. Despite Iran's threats to challenge oil shipments from the Gulf, oil prices fell 4% in volatile trading, suggesting traders doubted the Islamic Republic would follow through on any action that would disrupt global supplies. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Tehran sought backing from one of its last major power friends for its next steps. Israel made clear that its strikes on Evin prison and other targets in Tehran were intended to hit the Iranian ruling apparatus broadly, and its ability to sustain power. Iran's IRIB state broadcaster released video showing rescue workers combing the flattened wreckage of a building at the prison, carrying a wounded man on a stretcher. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary said urgent action was being taken to protect the health and safety of inmates there. Evin has long been Iran's primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, as well as the site of executions that remain strong memories for the opposition. Several high-profile foreign prisoners are also held there. Israel's military said it had also struck Revolutionary Guard command centres responsible for internal security in the Tehran area. The military was 'currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran', defence minister Israel Katz said in a statement. Much of Tehran's population of 10-million has fled after 10 days of bombing. Tasnim news agency reported a strike at an electricity feeder station in the Evin neighbourhood. Power company Tavanir reported some areas in the capital saw electricity cuts.
