Iran has launched an attack on the United States military presence at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, describing it as retaliation for recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The attack occurred on Monday and was confirmed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in an official statement to the Iranian public. Multiple flares and loud explosions were witnessed across Doha and other parts of Qatar.

Why Did Iran Carry Out the Strike?

According to the IRGC, the missile attack—referred to as part of Operation Annunciation of Victory—was a direct response to what it described as “blatant military aggression” by the U.S. targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

In the statement, the IRGC emphasized that its actions were meant to send a strong message to Washington and its allies: Iran will not tolerate any threats to its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national security. “U.S. bases and mobile military assets in the region are not strategic strengths but critical vulnerabilities,” the IRGC warned.

Target and Justification

Iran stated that the strike specifically targeted Al Udeid Air Base, identifying it as the operational headquarters of the U.S. Air Force and the most significant American military installation in West Asia.

Iran’s leadership clarified that the missiles were aimed away from residential zones in Qatar. In a statement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stressed that the attack posed no danger to Qatari civilians and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to preserving its “friendly and historic ties” with Qatar.

Source: With inputs from Al Jazeera