Iran launches military operation against US base in Qatar
Iran on Monday launched a military operation against a US base in Qatar, in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iranian state television reported on the start of the military operation.
It is believed the target was Al Udeid Air base near Qatar's capital Doha, which is the largest US military installation in the Middle East. An Iranian state-run media outlet reported that six missiles have struck a US military base in Qatar so far.
Iran's military said in a statement carried by state media that, following the US's "blatant" military attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and its clear violation of international law, it targeted the US base with a "devastating and powerful missile attack."
Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement on Monday that the "successful operation" used the same number of missiles as the number of US bombs dropped on Iranian nuclear facilities. It also said the target Iranian forces hit in the latest attack was far from urban facilities and residential areas of Qatar.
The New York Times reported that Iran gave an advance notice to Qatari officials that attacks were coming in a bid to minimize casualties, citing Iranian officials familiar with the plans. The officials said Iran "symbolically needed to strike back at the US but at the same time carry it out in a way that allowed all sides an exit ramp."
A US Defense Department official told NHK that the base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran. The official added that there have been no reports of US casualties.
A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said in an online statement that Qatar's air defense system thwarted the attack and intercepted Iranian missiles. The spokesperson said there were no injuries or human causalities from the attack.
This comes after the administration of US President Donald Trump launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday. Officials said it was aimed at removing Iran's nuclear threat. Iran vowed to retaliate following the attacks.
The US warned that it would carry out more strikes if Iran retaliated. Experts fear that the conflict with Iran could escalate further.
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