Iran has launched six missiles at the United States' Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, fulfilling its threat to retaliate after the bombing of its nuclear facilities over the weekend.
According to Iran's military commentary on social media, the attack was "a direct retaliation for their attack on Iranian soil." Explosions were heard over Qatar's capital, Doha, shortly after the missile launch.
A Western diplomat revealed there had been a credible Iranian threat against the base since midday, prompting Qatar to temporarily close its airspace to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. The US embassy in Qatar had earlier urged Americans to shelter in place "out of an abundance of caution."
Background of the Escalation
The missile attack follows a significant military operation where US bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iran's underground nuclear facilities. US President Donald Trump stated that three of Iran's nuclear sites "were completely obliterated" in the weekend strikes.
Earlier on Monday, Israel had also struck a jail for political prisoners in Tehran, expanding its targets beyond military and nuclear sites to aim at the pillars of Iran's ruling system.
Two US officials indicated that Washington had assessed Iran could carry out attacks targeting American forces in the Middle East soon, though the US is still seeking a diplomatic resolution that would see Tehran forgo further reprisals.
International Reactions
The situation has drawn attention from global powers. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged support for Iran, while NATO's Chief has warned that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. Russia has also backed Iran's right to self-defense, calling their partnership "unbreakable."
This missile attack represents a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.
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