Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jun 2025 20:24
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The Iranian Armed Forces announce they targeted the US-operated Al Udeid air base in Qatar with a "devastating and powerful" missile attack.

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Parts of the al-Udaid US base in Qatar, an Undated photo

Explosions were reported over the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday, shortly after a Western diplomat revealed that a credible Iranian threat had been issued against the US-operated Al Udeid air base.

According to a Reuters witness, loud blasts were heard in the Qatari capital.

#WATCH | More footage showing Iranian missiles in Qatari airspace.#Qatar #Iran #US pic.twitter.com/00ObSeINTj
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 23, 2025

Al Udeid air base targeted with 'devastating, powerful missile attack': Iranian Armed Forces

Shortly after, Iran's Tasnim news agency said the country's armed forces launched an operation dubbed "Annunciation of Victory" against US bases in Iraq and Qatar, in retaliation for the American aggression against key Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Iranian Armed Forces announced that they targeted Al Udeid with a "devastating and powerful" missile attack.

Qatar condemns Iranian missile attack, says reserves right to respond

Qatar claimed it had successfully intercepted an Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid base.

"The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base," it said in a statement, adding that "the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries".

Doha condemned the Iranian operation, labeling it as a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty.

"We express the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of the attack on Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and consider it a flagrant violation of the State of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement.

Qatar also said it reserves the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law.

Air defenses activated at US air base in Iraq

Additionally, military sources told Reuters that air defense systems have been activated at the American Al-Asad air base in Iraq over fears of potential Iranian strikes.

The sources added that maximum alert was declared on the base, followed by orders to shelter in bunkers.

Qatar closes airspace

Earlier, an informed source told Reuters that Iran coordinated its strikes on US bases in Qatar, prompting airspace closure.

Qatar had announced the temporary closure of its airspace to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

The announcement followed an alert from the US embassy advising Americans to shelter in place "out of an abundance of caution."

Qatar's Foreign Minister later confirmed on X that airspace was closed due to regional developments but did not elaborate.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the closure of airspace over Al Udeid air base.

Iran has threatened retaliation after US forces dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on underground Iranian nuclear installations over the weekend.