Iran announced on Monday night that it launched missile strikes targeting American forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and a US base in Iraq, marking a significant escalation in its confrontation with the United States. The announcement aired on Iranian state television alongside martial music, with a caption hailing the attack as "a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America's aggression." Iran said it had fired missiles toward a US military base in Iraq, Iranian state media Tasnim reported. Iran's missile operation against American bases in Qatar and Iraq is code-named "O Abu Abdullah," meaning "Blessings of victory." The strike on Al Udeid Air Base came just hours after Qatar temporarily closed its airspace as a precautionary measure amid Tehran's threats to retaliate for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was attacked "by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran," a US defense official said Monday. "At this time, there are no reports of US casualties," the official said. "We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available," the official added. Non-sheltered American planes were moved out of Al Udeid Air Base last week, according to a satellite image that was taken on June 19 that shows nearly empty tarmacs. This means the planes were moved before Iran launched a missile attack on Al Udeid Monday in response to the US striking its nuclear facilities over the weekend, according to media reports. Qatari officials have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage or casualties from the reported attack. Earlier, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned an attempted missile strike on Al Udeid, calling it a violation of the country's sovereignty and warning that Qatar reserves the right to respond. The development further heightens fears of a broader regional war, as Iran continues to respond to the U.S. and Israeli military actions with direct attacks in the Gulf.
