Iran vows to respond to any breach of its territorial integrity, following its strike on the largest U.S. base in West Asia; Qatar temporarily closes its airspace after a U.S. advisory urges caution for American citizens.
Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Qatar in Retaliation for American Attack on Nuclear Facilities
On the evening of Monday, June 23, 2025, Iran launched a missile strike targeting the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military installation in West Asia. The assault was in direct retaliation for American airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities conducted a day earlier, on Sunday, June 22.
In a statement, Iran’s armed forces condemned what they described as the “blatant military aggression by the criminal regime of the United States.” They confirmed that, acting under the directives of the Supreme National Security Council and the command of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had carried out a “powerful and devastating” missile strike on the base.
Qatar, which hosts approximately 10,000 American personnel at the al-Udeid base and lies just 190 km across the Persian Gulf from Iran, reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted the incoming missiles. According to Qatar’s Defence Ministry, there were no casualties or injuries, and the country’s airspace and territory remain secure.
Simultaneously, Iran also targeted the Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq, which houses U.S. forces, according to an Iraqi security official speaking to the Associated Press. The extent of any damage or casualties at the Iraqi base remains unclear.
In the wake of the attack, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced a temporary closure of its airspace, citing a need to ensure public safety. The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place advisory to American citizens, warning of potential threats. Loud explosions were reported around 7:40 p.m. in central Doha, as interceptors engaged multiple incoming projectiles. Despite the dramatic scenes, daily life in the capital was largely unaffected.
Condemning the Iranian action, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry labeled the attack “a flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and international law. Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari stated, “Qatar reserves the right to respond proportionately, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.”
Iran’s government maintained its stance of justified retaliation. President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We neither initiated the war nor seek it. But we will not leave any invasion of great Iran unanswered.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, addressing Sunday’s events, claimed American strikes had “totally destroyed” Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, he offered no comment regarding Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Monday.