Why did Iran give prior warning about the attack on US air base in Qatar?

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When Iran fired missiles at the US air base in Qatar on Monday evening, there were fears of wider escalation. But the Islamic Republic's attack was contained and largely symbolic. It informed Qatar and the Trump administration about its plans. Here's why read more
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar. There were reportedly no casualties, as Tehran had informed the US and Qatar about its plan. Reuters
It's a ceasefire. Donald Trump has announced that the '12-day war' between Israel and Iran has ended. It might have to do with Iran's strikes on US air bases in Qatar on Monday… more importantly, how the Islamic Republic went about it.
Tehran reportedly informed Qatar and America about its plans to launch missiles at the US-run Al Udeid Air Base, located in the desert southwest of Doha. Hours later, Trump announced on Truth Social that Israel and Iran have agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire' .
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But weren't Tehran's strikes on the US air base in retaliation for Trump's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (June 22)? Why did the Islamic Republic give a prior notice? We explain.
What do we know about Iran's attack on the US air base in Qatar?
It started with Qatar shutting its air base. Then Iran launched a missile attack on America's Al Udeid Air Base on Monday evening, in what was a widely expected retaliation for US airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic a day before.
Iran claims to have launched 14 missiles targeting the air base, which is used by Qatari forces and the US, British and other foreign troops. It fired short and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the attack. It was a 'powerful and devastating missile attack' as part of Operation Annunciation of Victory in response to the 'blatant military aggression' by the US on Iran's nuclear facilities, the IRGC said in a statement.
The IRGC also said its 'decisive action' sent a message to the White House and its allies that Iran would, 'under no circumstances, leave any aggression against its territorial integrity, sovereignty, or national security unanswered'.
While explosions were heard in Qatar, and photos and videos show missiles over Doha, the US and Qatari authorities said the missiles were intercepted and no one was injured.
Of the 14 missiles launched by Iran, 13 were intercepted, and one was allowed to land because, Trump said, it was headed in a 'nonthreatening direction', reports The New York Times.
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According to the US Central Command, 'US forces, alongside our Qatari partners, successfully defended against an Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting Qatar's Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar,' using 'US and Qatari Patriot batteries.'
Both the Trump administration and Qatar were informed about the Iranian attack ahead of time, say media reports.
General view of US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar. The military base was attacked by Iran on Monday night, but there were no casualties. Reuters
Why did Iran give notice about strikes on the US air base in Qatar?
Iran coordinated its strikes on US bases in Qatar, prompting airspace closure. The New York Times was the first to report on the coordination; the decision was taken by Iran to minimise casualties.
Trump confirmed that Iran had given a warning of the strike. He thanked Tehran for exercising restraint and said it was 'time for peace'.
The US president also mocked Iran as he posted on Truth Social that its response was 'weak and expected', 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. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,' he wrote.
The Iranian strikes then were orchestrated and symbolic. Iran said that it attacked the Qatar base with 'the same number of bombs the US used in attacking' its nuclear facilities, in a statement which is seen as indicating that it was ready to take a step back.
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Stephan Fruehling, a security and defence expert, told the BBC, 'So this warning is likely to signal to the US that Iran is not interested in further conflict with the US.'
Iran's warning could have provided the timing and target of the strike so Qatar and the US could clear civilian airspace in time, according to Fruehling, who teaches at the Australian National University. The warning is a gesture to the US and Qatar that they want to 'keep this limited to a conflict with Israel' as they could lose militarily if they were to escalate, he added.
The Islamic Republic's limited retaliation raised hopes that further escalation in West Asia could be avoided.
A group of Iranians celebrate following Iran's attack on the US military base in Qatar, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23. After the attack, Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on Truth Social.
Less than two hours after thanking Iran, Trump once again turned to Turth Social and announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a 'a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE' which will begin taking effect 'in approximately 6 hours from now' after the two countries have 'wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!'
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'On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR',' Trump wrote later.
On Tuesday morning, Trump announced that the ceasefire had come into effect.
An electronic billboard beams an image of US President Donald Trump alongside the message 'Thank you, Mr. President' referring to the US involvement in the war between Israel and Iran, in Ramat Gan, Israel, on June 22. On Monday, Trump announced a ceasefire in what he says should be called the 12-day war. AP
Where does the ceasefire stand now?
Iranian state media announced Tuesday morning (June 24) that a ceasefire has been 'imposed on the enemy' after the country's military response to 'US aggression.'
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X around 4 am (local time), saying that if Israel stops its 'illegal aggression' now, Iran has 'no intention to continue our response afterwards'.
The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.
Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 24, 2025
'As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around,' he added.
Israel has not confirmed the ceasefire yet.
Early Tuesday, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, with one projectile hitting a residential building in the city of Beer Sheva, killing at least three people. Missiles could also be seen in a video fired over Jerusalem, and Israeli interceptions could be seen over Haifa, reports CNN. Israel also launched attacks on Tehran overnight, according to Iranian state media.
For now, the confusion over the ceasefire remains.
With inputs from agencies