Iran's attack on US base an ‘off ramp' for ceasefire

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Iran's strike on a US military base in Qatar might have been an exercise in 'face-saving' before agreeing to a planned ceasefire, analysts and officials have suggested.
US President Donald Trump said Tehran's 'very weak' attack reportedly resulted in no injuries.
A picture of the remnants of one missile lying harmlessly next to a fence in Qatar showed air defences appeared to easily repel Iran's assault on the Al Udeid headquarters.
Mr Trump went as far as to thank Iran afterwards, saying 'most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE'.
'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.'
The New York Times has cited three Iranian officials as saying they 'symbolically needed to strike back' at the US after its precision strikes on the nation's nuclear program over the weekend.
This would allow 'all sides an exit ramp', the New York Times reported, saying their sources 'described it as a similar strategy to 2020 when Iran gave Iraq heads up before firing ballistic missiles at an American base in Iraq following the assassination of its top general'.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has since said there was 'NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations'.
He wrote on social media, however, that if 'the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards'.
Iran's National Security Council framed the attack as retaliation to 'US aggressive and insolent action against Iran's nuclear sites and facilities' in satte media.
'A few hours ago, the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran struck the US air base in Al-Udeid, Qatar,' the council said in a statement, adding that the number of missiles used 'was the same as the number of bombs that the US had used in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities'.
'This action does not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar.'
Qatar said it brought down every missile fired from Iran, located 190km away across The Persian Gulf.
Both the US and Qatar have said there was no damage to the base and no injuries.
Following the largely ineffective Iranian operation, oil prices dropped more than six per cent after fears costs could surge if conflcit in the Middle East continued to escalate.
Futures for West Texas Intermediate fell 6.5 per cent to US$69.96 a barrel, while Brent oil futures dropped 6.4 per cent to US$72.07 a barrel, its lowest level in 10 days.
John Kilduff of Again Capital described the Iranian action as 'somewhat measured' and apart from population centres.
'This is a face-saving measure by the Iranians and hopefully the diplomatic off-ramp will be taken,' Mr Kilduff said.
By about 8am Sydney time, just hours after the Iranian attack, Mr Trump was announcing a 'complete and total ceasefire' in the Middle East.
'CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!' he wrote on Truth Social.
'Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.'