The attack on Al Udeid Air Base dramatically escalates tensions in the Middle East, as the White House monitors the situation following previous U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran announced Monday it had launched a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar, in direct retaliation for American bombings of its nuclear sites over the weekend.
The announcement, made on Iranian state television amidst martial music, declared it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.” The attack followed closely on Qatar’s precautionary closure of its airspace due to escalating threats from Tehran.
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The White House and Pentagon are “closely monitoring” the situation at Al Udeid Air Base, according to a senior administration official. This direct strike marks a significant escalation in the already tense regional standoff.
The missile attack comes after the U.S. deployed B-2 bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Fordo site, with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs.
While the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog in Vienna anticipates “very significant damage” at Fordow, several Iranian officials claim nuclear material was moved from targeted sites prior to the strikes.
The recent events follow a surprise barrage of Israeli attacks on Iranian sites on June 13, which Israel asserted were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear bombs.
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Iran has since retaliated with missile and drone strikes in Israel, while Israel has continued its strikes within Iran.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar had earlier advised Americans to “shelter in place,” and Qatar’s foreign ministry had temporarily suspended air traffic, though it maintained that the country’s security situation was stable and advisories from embassies did not reflect specific threats.
Approximately 10,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, a key American military presence in the Middle East.
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