Trump Brokers Ceasefire After Iran's Strike on US Base in Qatar Sparks Regional Alarm
• Iran missiles hit US base in Qatar
• Regional blocs condemn Tehran's actions
You Know What:
Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, targeted in the Iranian strike, hosts over 10,000 US and coalition troops and serves as CENTCOM's forward headquarters in the region.
Mahir Haneef
TDT | Manama
A regional ceasefire between Israel and Iran is set to take effect at 7 a.m. Arabian Standard Time, US President Donald Trump announced yesterday, offering a potential end to a sharp escalation that had rattled capitals across the Middle East.
Describing the Iranian retaliation as 'very weak,' Trump revealed that Tehran had warned in advance before launching missiles, signalling a desire to avoid casualties and de-escalate the crisis. 'It's time to make peace,' he said, following the announcement.
Qatar Struck
Shortly before the ceasefire announcement, Iranian missiles had struck near Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a major hub for US and coalition forces. Doha confirmed its air defences intercepted the attack, with explosions heard and projectiles seen streaking across the evening sky.
'The Ministry of Interior confirms that the security situation in the country is stable, and there is no cause for concern,' said a government statement issued last night.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari strongly condemned the missile strike, warning that Qatar 'reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression.'
Broad Condemnation
The Iranian assault drew immediate condemnation across the region. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait denounced the attack as a 'flagrant violation' of Qatar's sovereignty and pledged support to the country in any steps it takes in response.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi echoed this stance, calling the incident a threat to collective Gulf security and affirming that 'an attack on one member state is an attack on the entire Council.'
The Arab Parliament also condemned the strike as an 'unacceptable violation of international law' and urged all parties to avoid escalation and regional destabilisation.
UN Response
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres joined the chorus of condemnation, reiterating his call for restraint and dialogue. 'The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned any military escalation in this conflict, including today's attack by Iran on the territory of Qatar,' his spokesman said in a statement.
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