Iran launches missile attacks on US base in Qatar
Iran has launched missile attacks on a US base in Qatar.
The attack comes after the US struck three nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend.
Iran has confirmed that they launched the attack in 'response to the blatant military aggression carried out by the criminal regime of the United States against the peaceful nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' US president Donald Trump. Pic: Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images
Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that the operation against US forces in Qatar's Al-Udeid base was successful and that 'the number of missiles used equalled the number of bombs the US employed in its attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.'
According to the New York Times, Iran coordinated the base attack in Qatar with Qatari officials to minimise casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump shake hands during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House Pic: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Iranian officials told the Times that Iran 'symbolically needed to strike back at the U.S. but at the same time carry it out in a way that allowed all sides an exit ramp.'
The White House has said that it is monitoring threats to US bases in the region. At the time of writing, no casualties have been reported.
Speaking ahead of Iran's attack, the Taoiseach had called for an immediate de-escalation. Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
'Diplomacy and dialogue is ultimately the only way to resolve these issues,' Mr Martin said.
'Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme. Nuclear safety is an issue here, modern warfare is very destructive.
'It is civilians who ultimately suffer, and that is why we need an end to these wars and bring an end to conflict.'
Mr Martin added that the escalation should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
'We shouldn't lose sight of the catastrophe still unfolding in Gaza, while the war between Iran and Israel continues,' he said.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Trump mocks Iran's ‘very weak' revenge missile attack on US base in Qatar – and even THANKS them for sending a warning
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He said on social media: 'There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and one was 'set free,' because it was headed in a non-threatening direction. Advertisement READ MORE ON US-IRAN CONFLICT 'I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. 'I want to thank 'Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.' US President Trump's mocking response came after Iran launched ballistic missiles at America's Al-Udeid base near capital Doha. Advertisement Most read in The Sun American interceptors were seen streaking to meet the incoming barrage shortly before 7pm local times. Trump had warned Iran not to attack US forces in the region, vowing an even more withering attack if they dared to take revenge. But Iran's fanatical Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — in a bid to show defiance at home — pulled the trigger on what he called Operation Blessings of Victory. Inside Operation Midnight Hammer: How Trump carried out unprecedented Iran attack using decoys in 37-hour covert mission Explosions were also reported over Iraq amid reports that at least one Iranian missile was launched towards US forces and alerts also sounded in nearby Bahrain. However, officials later confirmed that there was no Iranian attack detected at any US military base other than in Qatar. Advertisement Iran described its attack as 'a mighty and successful response to America's aggression'. 8 Khamenei added: 'The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, committed a great crime; it must be punished and is being punished; it is being punished right now.' Iran was reported to have coordinated its attack on the US air base with Qatari officials to achieve a symbolic victory to provide an 'exit ramp' from the conflict. Advertisement Qatar announced within minutes that missile defences had repelled the attempted strike and that there had been no casualties. Iran was said to have even contacted Qatari officials before the limited attack to 'minimise casualties' and US personnel there had all taken cover. But last night Qatari officials said: 'We express strong condemnation of the attack on Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and consider it a flagrant violation of the State of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace. We affirm that the State of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly.' 8 Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei has launched 'Operation Blessings of Victory' in a show of defiance Credit: AP Advertisement 8 Hopes rose last night that Donald Trump may step back from a response to Iran's attack, which could suck global powers into catastrophic global escalation Credit: AFP Meanwhile, Israel stepped up its blitz on its arch enemy yesterday, with follow-up strikes on the region's Fordow atomic plant. Khamenei's regime announced last night that it had used the same number of missiles in its attack as the US used during Sunday's historic Operation Midnight Hammer blitz of atomic sites. Trump has ordered Iran's leaders to surrender unconditionally immediately and halt their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Advertisement But he yesterday openly floated the idea of new leadership to end the tyranny of the hate-filled Islamist zealots he branded the 'bullies of the Middle East'. Trump said on his Truth Social forum: 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change'. 'But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!' The White House later insisted regime change was not among its objectives and that it was not actively hunting Khamenei — said to be cowering in a secret bunker in capital Tehran. Advertisement But risks remained last night of a deadly miscalculation that could claim US lives and force Trump to plunge deeper into the conflict. He and defence chief Pete Hegseth entered the Situation Room in the West Wing of the White House to begin plotting their response within minutes of the strikes. But initial reports suggested there had been no US casualties thanks to prior warnings given by Iran through back channels. Trump had visited Al-Udeid air base five weeks ago on his Middle East tour and was given a rapturous reception by servicemen and women. But hopes rose last night that he may step back from a response that could suck global powers into a catastrophic escalation. Advertisement Last night's drama came after British citizens in Qatar were urged to 'shelter in place' last night amid fears of an imminent Iranian attack. Qatar then closed its airspace as multiple sources reported that 'a credible threat' had been identified to the US-run Coalition Air Operations Centre at Al-Udeid. The base was put on maximum alert and military personnel were ordered to bolt for secure bunkers. Trump has already warned of massive retribution if the terror state dares to strike back after the weekend strikes in support of Israel. British RAF personnel also serve on rotation alongside US military and were also understood to have taken cover last night. Around 20,000 Brits and 8,000 American citizens currently live in Doha. All received government advice to step up vigilance ahead of Iran's action. 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Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Trump launches bizarre rant after Iran missile attack on US airbase in Qatar
In a bizarre rant on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump chose to sidestep the recent Iranian attacks on US airbases in Qatar, instead opting to unleash a tirade against the "sleazebags in the media" in the media and so-called "fake news". His post read: "The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it. Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible - And even they say they were 'pretty well destroyed!'". He targeted specific journalists and media executives, stating: "Working especially hard on this falsehood is Allison Cooper of Fake News CNN, Dumb Brian L. Roberts, Chairman of 'Con'cast, Jonny Karl of ABC Fake News, and always, the Losers of, again, Concast's NBC Fake News. It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that's why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW - ZERO CREDIBILITY!". Meanwhile, the reality on the ground was far more serious. Earlier in the evening, Iran launched a retaliatory missile attack on a US airbase in Qatar, following the American bombing of its nuclear facilities. Eyewitnesses recounted seeing missiles in the air, followed by the sound of explosions, but the full extent of the damage was not yet clear. Iran stated via state television that it had successfully targeted American forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base, reports the Mirror. State TV hailed the attack as "a mighty and successful response" to what it deemed "America's aggression", set to a backdrop of martial music. The move came shortly after Qatar had taken the precaution of closing its airspace in light of Iranian threats. Just before the blasts, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to social platform X stating: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer." Following the assault, Bahrain – host of the US 5th Fleet's headquarters – temporarily halted flights over its territory, a move similar to Qatar's previous actions just before their own facilities came under fire. After Al Udeid Air Base was hit, Qatar denounced the offensive yet confirmed that the incoming missiles were successfully intercepted with no casualties, and assured that its skies are now secure. The US acknowledged that the air base had been the objective of an Iranian missile strike. Iran retorted by matching the scale of the attack in Qatar to the weekends' US bombings on its nuclear installations, hinting at potential intentions to defuse tensions. It claimed the air base was chosen as a target due to its removed location from civilian areas. Israel escalated its conflict with Iran earlier, attacking infrastructure linked to Iran's beleaguered clerical leadership, including a Tehran prison gate known for detaining political dissidents, and targeting the command centre of the forces quelling recent demonstrations. Plumes of dense smoke billowing above Tehran marked the latest Israeli reprisal, which in turn led to another volley of Iranian rocket and drone fire. This non-stop exchange has become par for the course for civilians in both nations since Israel initiated hostilities focussed on Iran's atomic capabilities.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Iran fires missiles at key US base in Qatar
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