Iran launched missile strikes on U.S. military installations in Qatar and Iraq on Monday, marking a sharp escalation following recent American airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In Qatar, the missiles targeted the Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the U.S. Combined Air Operations Center and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest of its kind globally. Qatar’s government swiftly condemned the attack, labeling it a breach of its sovereignty and international law. According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the missiles were intercepted without casualties, and the country has since declared its airspace secure.
Iran’s state media broadcast the strikes with patriotic music and dramatic captions, describing them as “a mighty and successful response” to what it termed “America’s aggression.” The Iranian government stated that the number of missiles fired corresponded with the number of bombs dropped by the U.S. over the weekend, hinting at an intention to signal proportionate retaliation rather than full-scale escalation.
An Iranian military spokesperson noted that the Qatari base was chosen in part because it lies outside densely populated areas. Meanwhile, the Ain al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq also hosting U.S. troops was hit in a separate strike, according to an Iraqi security official who requested anonymity. The extent of damage or injuries at the Iraqi site remains unclear.
The missile strikes follow a surprise U.S. assault on three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday. Shortly before Monday’s missile launches, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“We neither initiated the war nor seek it. But we will not let an attack on Great Iran go unanswered.”
Meanwhile, Israel broadened its military campaign against Iran, targeting key symbols of the Islamic Republic’s authority. Notable strikes included an attack on the notorious Evin Prison known for detaining political activists and the headquarters of Iran’s security forces responsible for quelling recent protests. These symbolic strikes drew thick plumes of smoke over Tehran as Iran retaliated with another wave of drones and missiles against Israel.
Now in its 11th day, the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify. Israel claims its recent strikes aim at repressing institutions within Tehran but denies seeking regime change. The Israeli military warned of further attacks in the coming days, even as widespread internet outages across Iran make it difficult for citizens to access information from the outside world.
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