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Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran launches missiles at US military base in Qatar in retaliation for American bombing
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites but indicating it was prepared to step back from escalating tensions in the volatile region. The U.S. was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties, said President Donald Trump, who dismissed the attack as a 'very weak response.' 'Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,' Trump posted on Truth Social. Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base as 'a flagrant violation" of its sovereignty, airspace and international law. Qatar said it intercepted all but one missile, though it was not clear if that missile caused any damage. Iran said the volley matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas. Those comments, made immediately after the attack, suggested Iran wanted to de-escalate with the United States, something Trump himself said after the strikes early Sunday on Iran. Qatar Maj. Gen. Shayeq Al Hajri said 19 missiles were fired at the base that is home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of air power across the region, as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest such wing in the world. Trump said 14 missiles were fired, 13 were knocked down and one was 'set free' because it posed no threat. Trump said Iran might be able to 'now proceed to Peace and Harmony' and said he would encourage Israel to do the same. However, Israel's war on Iran continued, with the Israeli military expanding its campaign Monday to target sites symbolic for the country's theocracy. Iran announced the attack on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it 'a mighty and successful response" to "America's aggression.' Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: 'We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.' Earlier reports that a missile was launched at a base housing American forces in Iraq were a false alarm, a senior U.S. military official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said debris from a malfunctioning Iranian missile targeting Israel had triggered an alert of an impending attack on the Ain al-Assad base. Israel expands war to include symbolic targets On the 11th day of the conflict, Israel and Iran traded air strikes that have become a reality for civilians in both countries since Israel started the war to target Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Iran struck Israel with a barrage of missiles and drones while Israel said it attacked 'regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.' But Israeli officials insisted they did not seek the overthrow of Iran's government, their archenemy since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. The latest strikes unfolded only hours after Trump mentioned the possibility of regime change a day after inserting America into the war with its unprecedented stealth-bomber strike on three Iranian nuclear sites. 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' he asked on his Truth Social website. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later described Trump as 'simply raising a question.' The U.S. strikes over the weekend prompted fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran said the U.S. had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. Israel aims to wind down the war in the coming days, but that will depend on the Iranians, an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity to discuss high-level internal deliberations. Israel's preferred outcome is for Iran to agree to a ceasefire and reenter negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program, the official said. But Israel is prepared for the possibility of an extended low-intensity war of attrition or period of 'quiet for quiet,' in which it would closely monitor Iran's activities and strike if it identifies new threats. Tehran strikes open new chapter of war The Israeli military warned Iranians it would continue to attack military sites around Tehran as its focus shifted to include symbolic targets. The military issued the warning on the social platform X, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world due to an internet shutdown. In Tehran, Israel hit the headquarters of the military force that suppressed recent protests and blew open a gate at Evin prison, which is notorious for holding political activists. Iranian state television shared black-and-white surveillance footage of the strike at the facility known for holding dual nationals and Westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. Evin also has specialized units for political prisoners run by the paramilitary, all-volunteer Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The facility is the target of both U.S. and European Union sanctions. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Iran or significant damage. Iranian state television aired footage it said was shot inside Evin, with prisoners under control. However, the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran said many families of detainees 'have expressed deep concern about the safety and condition of their loved ones' in the prison. The Israeli military also confirmed it struck roads around Iran's Fordo enrichment facility to obstruct access to the site. The underground site was one of those hit in Sunday's attack by the United States on three nuclear facilities. The Israeli military did not elaborate. According to an Israeli official familiar with the government's strategy, Israel is targeting these sites to put pressure on the Iranian administration but is not actively seeking to topple it. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal government deliberations. In Vienna, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said he expected there to be heavy damage at the Fordo facility following Sunday's U.S. airstrike there with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs. Several Iranian officials, including Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, have claimed Iran removed nuclear material from targeted sites ahead of time. Iran presses on attacking Israel Iran said its Monday attacks targeted the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television. Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, possibly from air defense systems in action, and Israel's Magen David Adom emergency rescue service said there had been no reports of injuries. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 950 people and wounded 3,450 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest such as the protests surrounding the death of Masha Amini in 2022, said of those killed, it identified 380 civilians and 253 security force personnel. Russia is one of Iran's closest allies and on Monday, President Vladimir Putin said after meeting in Moscow with Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, that they had explored 'how we can get out of today's situation.' Putin called the Israeli and American attacks on Iran an 'absolutely unprovoked aggression.' ___ Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Abby Sewell in Beirut, Elise Morton in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Ella Joyner in Brussels and Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna contributed to this report.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran launches missiles at US military base in Qatar in retaliation for American bombing
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites but indicating it was prepared to step back from escalating tensions in the volatile region. The U.S. was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties, said President Donald Trump, who dismissed the attack as a 'very weak response.' 'Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,' Trump posted on Truth Social. Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base as 'a flagrant violation" of its sovereignty, airspace and international law. Qatar said it intercepted all but one missile, though it was not clear if that missile caused any damage. Iran said the volley matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas. Those comments, made immediately after the attack, suggested Iran wanted to de-escalate with the United States, something Trump himself said after the strikes early Sunday on Iran. Qatar Maj. Gen. Shayeq Al Hajri said 19 missiles were fired at the base that is home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of air power across the region, as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest such wing in the world. Trump said 14 missiles were fired, 13 were knocked down and one was 'set free' because it posed no threat. Trump said Iran might be able to 'now proceed to Peace and Harmony' and said he would encourage Israel to do the same. However, Israel's war on Iran continued, with the Israeli military expanding its campaign Monday to target sites symbolic for the country's theocracy. Iran announced the attack on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it 'a mighty and successful response" to "America's aggression.' Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: 'We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.' Earlier reports that a missile was launched at a base housing American forces in Iraq were a false alarm, a senior U.S. military official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said debris from a malfunctioning Iranian missile targeting Israel had triggered an alert of an impending attack on the Ain al-Assad base. Israel expands war to include symbolic targets On the 11th day of the conflict, Israel and Iran traded air strikes that have become a reality for civilians in both countries since Israel started the war to target Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Iran struck Israel with a barrage of missiles and drones while Israel said it attacked 'regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.' But Israeli officials insisted they did not seek the overthrow of Iran's government, their archenemy since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. The latest strikes unfolded only hours after Trump mentioned the possibility of regime change a day after inserting America into the war with its unprecedented stealth-bomber strike on three Iranian nuclear sites. 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' he asked on his Truth Social website. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later described Trump as 'simply raising a question.' The U.S. strikes over the weekend prompted fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran said the U.S. had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. Israel aims to wind down the war in the coming days, but that will depend on the Iranians, an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity to discuss high-level internal deliberations. Israel's preferred outcome is for Iran to agree to a ceasefire and reenter negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program, the official said. But Israel is prepared for the possibility of an extended low-intensity war of attrition or period of 'quiet for quiet,' in which it would closely monitor Iran's activities and strike if it identifies new threats. Tehran strikes open new chapter of war The Israeli military warned Iranians it would continue to attack military sites around Tehran as its focus shifted to include symbolic targets. The military issued the warning on the social platform X, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world due to an internet shutdown. In Tehran, Israel hit the headquarters of the military force that suppressed recent protests and blew open a gate at Evin prison, which is notorious for holding political activists. Iranian state television shared black-and-white surveillance footage of the strike at the facility known for holding dual nationals and Westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. Evin also has specialized units for political prisoners run by the paramilitary, all-volunteer Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The facility is the target of both U.S. and European Union sanctions. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Iran or significant damage. Iranian state television aired footage it said was shot inside Evin, with prisoners under control. However, the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran said many families of detainees 'have expressed deep concern about the safety and condition of their loved ones' in the prison. The Israeli military also confirmed it struck roads around Iran's Fordo enrichment facility to obstruct access to the site. The underground site was one of those hit in Sunday's attack by the United States on three nuclear facilities. The Israeli military did not elaborate. According to an Israeli official familiar with the government's strategy, Israel is targeting these sites to put pressure on the Iranian administration but is not actively seeking to topple it. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal government deliberations. In Vienna, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said he expected there to be heavy damage at the Fordo facility following Sunday's U.S. airstrike there with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs. Several Iranian officials, including Atomic Energy Organization of Iran spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, have claimed Iran removed nuclear material from targeted sites ahead of time. Iran presses on attacking Israel Iran said its Monday attacks targeted the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television. Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, possibly from air defense systems in action, and Israel's Magen David Adom emergency rescue service said there had been no reports of injuries. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 950 people and wounded 3,450 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest such as the protests surrounding the death of Masha Amini in 2022, said of those killed, it identified 380 civilians and 253 security force personnel. Russia is one of Iran's closest allies and on Monday, President Vladimir Putin said after meeting in Moscow with Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, that they had explored 'how we can get out of today's situation.' Putin called the Israeli and American attacks on Iran an 'absolutely unprovoked aggression.' ___ Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Abby Sewell in Beirut, Elise Morton in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Ella Joyner in Brussels and Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna contributed to this report.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran Israel war: Why has Iran attacked US military base Al Udeid air base in Qatar? Here are reasons
Iran Israel war witnessed a massive escalation as Tehran attacked US military base in Qatar -- Al Udeid Air Base. While, Iranian authority has multiple options, why did it target Al Udeid Air Base. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the U.S. attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US military base in Qatar -- Al Udeid Air Base -- was attacked on Monday by Iran. Tehran said that Iran launched missiles in answer to the American bombing of its nuclear enrichment facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Earlier, Iran sent a stringent warning to Washington that it would target US military assets anywhere. Reports said that they saw missiles in the skies, followed by explosions, but it wasn't clear if there was any damage, AP the past, Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military's Central Command. Al Udeid is also home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of airpower across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest expeditionary wing in the reporter on X tweeted that trump administration was aware of in advance of Iran's attack on Al-Udeid across the Persian Gulf from Iran, maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. A caption on screen called it 'a mighty and successful response" to "America's aggression' as martial music attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."A1. Al Udeid Air Base is located in Qatar. Al Udeid is also home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of airpower across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest expeditionary wing in the world.A2. Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Where are US military bases in the Middle East? Iran's strike on US base in Qatar sparks renewed focus
The United States maintains a significant and strategic presence in the Middle East, with bases serving as aerial hubs, naval ports, logistics centers, and regional command posts. Here's a detailed overview of US military bases in the Middle East, and their strategic importance. Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar: The region's largest and a major base for approximately 8,000–10,000 personnel, including the forward Combined Air Operations Center for CENTCOM operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan Naval Support Activity, Bahrain: Home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, hosting around 9,000 staff, crucial for securing supply routes in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean Camp Arifjan, Kuwait: A major logistics hub supporting U.S. forces across the region with prepositioned equipment and supply facilities Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE, Camp Buehring & Ahmad al-Jabir Air Base, Kuwait, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia—all host US personnel and aircraft, contributing to deterrence and readiness Jordan: Multiple smaller bases for training and surveillance Iraq & Syria: Dotted with special operations outposts supporting anti-ISIS missions Oman & Qatar: Use of port facilities for naval logistics In total, about 30,000 US troops are stationed across these installations, supported by forces in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and maritime units in the region On June 23, Iran launched a missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base—headquarters of US Central Command—framing it as a 'mighty and successful response' to US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Al Udeid is just 120 miles from Iran across the Gulf. This marks a significant escalation: for the first time in this latest round of tit-for-tat strikes, Iran directly targeted a facility central to American military command in the region. The US presence in the Middle East is under renewed threat following: June 22: US stealth bombers struck Iran's nuclear sites (Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan) June 23: Iran retaliated by targeting Al Udeid Air Base, escalating the risk of wider war Regional fallout: Qatar and Bahrain implemented emergency protocols; US allies fear becoming collateral
