A barrage of at least ten ballistic missiles has reportedly been fired at airbases in Qatar and Iraq
Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes against US military installations across the Middle East, Iranian state-run media reported on Monday. Operation ‘Herald of Victory’ has so far hit facilities in Qatar and Iraq.
Unverified footage circulating online shows multiple projectiles in the skies above Qatar. Anti-aircraft defenses were apparently activated, with multiple interceptor missiles fired.
The attack reportedly targeted Al Udeid Air Base, a sprawling military installation used by the Qatari, US and UK militaries. It was not immediately clear whether any incoming projectiles made it through.
Footage of a PATRIOT SAM battery engaging an incoming Iranian ballistic missile attack over Qatar. pic.twitter.com/YUvuBoerhR
The Qatari military said it has intercepted all the Iranian missiles, with no deaths or injuries on the ground. The emirate’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty, stating that Doha reserves the right to respond to the attack.
Iranian media, however, reported that at least three missiles made it through the anti-air defenses and struck the air base. Some outlets put the figure twice as high, claiming that at least six projectiles reached the target.
Footage being appearing in Iranian media purports to show the moment missiles were launched at the US air base in Qatar. The weapons were fired from mobile launchers at an undisclosed location, according to reports.
Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the attack on Al Udeid base, describing the facility as “the largest strategic asset of the US terrorist army in the West Asia region.” Tehran “will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security unanswered under any circumstances,” the IRGC stressed.
Iran warned Qatar of the impending attack beforehand to minimise the potential casualties and collateral damage, The New York Times reported citing Iranian sources. The strike was primarily of symbolic value, needed to demonstrate retaliation for US attacks while leaving room for de-escalation, the sources claimed.
Other countries in the region, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq have closed their airspace in case of further Iranian strikes on US assets. According to Iranian media, another missile salvo has been fired at American installations in Iraq.
Later in the day, US President Donald Trump described the Iranian strike as a “very weak response,” claiming 13 out of 14 missiles it fired were intercepted and the last one missed its target. He also claimed Tehran warned Washington of the impending attack beforehand.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured,” the US president wrote on Truth Social, expressing hopes Iran will now “proceed to peace and harmony” and promising to “enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
“Congratulations world, it’s time for peace,” Trump added in a subsequent all-caps post.