Iran’s military launched a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the two nations. The operation, dubbed “Harbinger of Conquest” or “Annunciation of Victory,” targeted American bases in Qatar and Iraq in response to the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The attack was confirmed by both Iranian state television and the US military. Iranian state television aired footage of the missile launch, describing it as a “mighty and successful response” to US aggression. The Iranian military later confirmed the strike, stating it was “devastating and powerful.” According to the US defense official, the Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran.
The missiles struck the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US base in the Middle East, located southwest of Doha. Explosions were widely heard across Doha and Lusail shortly after Qatari authorities shut down the country’s airspace as a precaution. Eyewitnesses and international news agencies reported seeing projectiles streaking through the night sky. Qatar’s defense minister told Al Jazeera that the country’s air defenses had intercepted missiles directed at the Al Udeid air base.
Despite the intensity of the attack, US officials reported no casualties or significant damage to the base. A US defense official said, “At this time, there are no reports of US casualties.” The Iranian military emphasized that the base targeted was situated away from residential zones, and Tehran stressed that the operation was not intended to threaten Qatar, which it described as a “friendly and brotherly” nation.
Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, issued a public alert urging citizens to remain calm and proceed to the nearest safe location. The US Embassy in Doha, along with other Western embassies, advised residents to shelter in place until further notice. Qatar’s foreign ministry acknowledged the attack and said the country “reserves the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law.”
The missile strike is part of a broader campaign that also included attacks on American military sites in Iraq. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council said the strike mirrored the scale of the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. The incident has escalated tensions in the region, with the US and Iran engaging in a tit-for-tat exchange.
