Iran has launched missile strikes targeting U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, escalating tensions in the region following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, the operation—named “Blessing of Victory”—began on Monday evening, with Iranian missiles aimed at American military installations in the two countries. Flares were seen lighting up the night sky over Doha, Qatar’s capital, although it remained unclear whether these were part of air defense operations or incoming projectiles. Loud explosions were also reported, but no casualties have been confirmed. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that its air defense systems successfully intercepted missiles directed at the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack caused no deaths or injuries, crediting the quick response of local forces. The IRGC emphasized that the operation was not intended to harm Qatar or its citizens, affirming Iran’s commitment to maintaining warm and historic relations with the Gulf nation.
Qatar Condemns Violation of Sovereignty
Despite Iran’s assurances, Qatar strongly condemned the missile strike, describing it as a “blatant violation” of its national sovereignty. The Qatari Ministry of Defense reiterated that while the attack was successfully intercepted without casualties, the state reserves the right to respond.
“Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari. He also confirmed that the U.S. base had been evacuated as a precautionary measure before the attack.
Regional Fallout: Kuwait Airways Suspends Flights
In response to the escalating situation, Kuwait Airways announced a temporary suspension of flights, citing ongoing regional tensions. The decision follows airspace closures by Qatar and Bahrain, according to reports from Reuters. The situation remains fluid as governments across the region closely monitor developments and brace for potential further escalations.
