Iran’s military said on Monday it had carried out a “devastating and powerful” missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar, after explosions were heard across the Qatari capital following Tehran’s threat to retaliate for US airstrikes.
Iran’s top security body issued a statement saying it has used the same number of bombs that the US used when striking Iranian nuclear facilities, according to Reuters.
Iran coordinated its strikes on US bases in Qatar with Qatari officials in advance to minimise casualties, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing three Iranian officials.
Qatar’s defence minister, quoted by Al Jazeera TV, said its air defences had intercepted missiles directed at Al Udeid, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, located across the Gulf from Iran.
Qatari authorities confirmed there were no casualties in the attack, which they condemned, and said Qatar reserved the right to respond.
Shortly before, Qatar announced the temporary closure of its airspace to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. This came after the US embassy in Qatar advised American citizens to shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution.”
Qatar said it reserves the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law after Iran targeted the US Al Udeid military base in Doha. The Iranian strike came in retaliation for a US attack on its nuclear facilities.
The attack followed a warning from a Western diplomat to Reuters about a credible threat to the US military base in Qatar after the US strikes on Iran.
In addition, the US Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq activated its air defence system amid concerns over a potential attack, military sources told Reuters.
A senior White House official said the White House and the Defense Department are closely monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base.
BREAKING: Iran’s state TV IRIB says Operation Basharat al-Fath against U.S. bases has begun.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 23, 2025
Earlier on Monday, Israel bombed a jail for political prisoners in Tehran, signalling an expansion of its targets beyond military and nuclear sites to strike at key pillars of Iran’s ruling system.
Despite Iran’s threats to disrupt oil shipments from the Gulf, oil prices remained largely steady, suggesting traders doubt Iran will follow through on actions that would affect global supply.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Tehran sought support from one of its last major allies ahead of its next moves.
Iran’s armed forces warned on Monday of “serious, unpredictable consequences” for the United States in response to the airstrikes on three nuclear sites.
Separately, on Sunday, the US State Department advised Americans worldwide to “exercise increased caution” due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Following Israel’s initial strikes on Iran on June 13, the US embassy in Qatar had already urged staff and American citizens to “exercise increased caution” and limit non-essential travel to Al Udeid Air Base.
This story is being updated.
