8 hours ago
Wrap-up- Iran strikes US air base in Qatar
The Al Udeid air base in Qatar- CC via
CAIRO – 23 June 2025: Iranian Armed Forces announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with a devastating and powerful missile attack as part of Operation 'Basharat al-Fatah' [the Herald of the Victory] on Monday evening, in retaliation to the US attacks on three Iranian uranium enrichment facilities on Sunday.
In a statement, the Iranian IRGC said that its forces bombed the US Al Udeid base in Qatar, the largest strategic asset of the US military in the West Asia region.
'Our message from this decisive action is that, relying on God and the faithful and great Islamic Iranian nation, we will not leave any attack on Iran's territorial integrity, sovereignty, or security unanswered under any circumstances,' the statement read.
It added: 'We would like to remind you that US bases and mobile military targets in the region are not a strength, but rather a major weakness and a thorn in the side of the warmongering US regime. We once again warn the enemies of Islamic Iran that any repetition of this evil will accelerate the collapse of the US military establishment in the region, lead to the shameful flight of Americans from West Asia, and fulfill the shared aspiration of the Islamic Ummah [nation] and the free peoples of the world to eradicate the cancerous tumor of Zion.'
Few minutes ahead of the Iranian strikes, Qatar temporarily suspended the air traffic of its country's Airspace to ensure safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.
According to The New York Times, Iran informed Qatar in advance of the attacks in order to minimize casualties
'No human casualties'
However, the Qatari Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al-Udeid Air Base, noting that the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries.
The Ministry reiterated that the airspace and territory of the State of Qatar are safe and that the Qatar Armed Forces are always ready to deal with any threat. Also, the Ministry of Defense advises citizens and residents to seek guidance and the latest developments from official sources.
Spokesman of Qatari Foreign Ministry Majed Al Ansary stated that Qatar strongly condemned the attack as considered it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter.
'We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law,' he said.
He continued Qatar's air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles. A detailed statement regarding the circumstances of the attack will be issued later by the Ministry of Defense.
'We also emphasize that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security,' he added, calling call for the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.
He continued that the base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. 'All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others. We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack,' he said.
After the end of the strikes, the Qatari Ministry of Interior affirmed that the security situation in the country became stable and there is no cause for concern.
Sirens sound in other Guld States
Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced that the siren has been sounded, called for citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.
'We urge all citizens and residents to exercise caution and review the following immediate precautions to be taken in the event of a loud explosion or the sounding of warning sirens,' the Ministry said in tweets on its X.
Additionally, Kuwait has suspended all outbound flights amid ongoing regional developments, while Iraq's Ministry of Transport has announced the closure of Iraqi airspace to all air traffic, including over the southern region.
After the ed of the attack, these Guld States re-opened their airspaces.
Trump thanks Iran
US President Donald Trump said that he wants to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and no body to be injured.
'Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered. There have been 14 missiles fired - 13 were knocked down, and 1 was "set free," because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction,' said Trump on his Truth platform.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American aircraft had conducted heavy airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. 'A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,' Trump said.
Since the outbreak of the war between Iran and Israel on June 13, Egypt has exerted tremendous diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict in which hundreds of people were killed and thousands were injured.
The war started when Israel, which has nuclear weapon and not a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), launched missile and drones towards Tehran and killed hundreds of nuclear scientists, military leaders and civilians to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Israeli missiles and drones have targeted several nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, Arak and Fordow, causing a minor level of radiation leakage in Natanz as it was reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Israel, which is totally backed by the US, seeks to be the only country in the region that has nuclear weapons. In retaliation, Iran fired hundreds hypersonic missiles and drones on Israel, causing severe damage to buildings besides the Weizmann Institute of Science, Haifa refinery, and the Gav-Yam Negev Advanced Technologies Park.
'Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,' he added.
