Iranian missiles target Al Udeid Air Base in retaliation for U.S. attacks on nuclear sites; U.S. and regional allies brace for escalation.
On the evening of June 23, Iran launched a missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. Tehran described the attack as a direct response to recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) called the strike a “warning to the White House and its allies”, vowing to retaliate against any violations of Iran’s sovereignty, Meduza reports.
According to Axios and CNN, Iran fired at least six missiles toward U.S. bases in Qatar and possibly Iraq, although a U.S. military spokesperson told Reuters that strikes were only confirmed on Qatari territory.
The Pentagon has confirmed that short- and medium-range missiles struck the base, though the extent of damage is still being assessed.
Qatar was warned in advance; no casualties reported
Qatari air defense systems successfully intercepted the missiles. Eyewitnesses in Doha reported explosions, and the country’s airspace was temporarily closed.
According to The New York Times, Tehran had warned Qatari authorities in advance of the impending strike to avoid casualties. The U.S. evacuated the base in line with established safety protocols.
Despite the advance notice, Qatar condemned the strike, calling it a “blatant violation of national sovereignty.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid al-Ansari stated that Qatar reserves the right to respond in a manner “proportional to the scale and nature of the aggression.”
Regional response: airspace closures and military alert
Following the Iranian strike, Bahrain, the UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait closed their airspace. Bahrain issued an air raid warning, and U.S. embassy staff in Bahrain and Qatar were moved to secure zones.
Reuters reports that U.S. bases in Iraq and northeastern Syria have been placed on high alert. However, Iraqi officials have not confirmed any attacks on their territory.
U.S. issues worldwide security warning
On June 22, the U.S. State Department issued a global alert, urging American citizens to exercise increased caution amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
The alert cited airspace disruptions, transport delays, and the potential for anti-American protests and demonstrations abroad.
That same day, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) raised the domestic terrorism threat level, warning that "violent extremists" could exploit the situation to launch attacks on U.S. soil — especially if religious incitement comes from Iranian leadership.
The DHS also highlighted the risk of cyberattacks and possible threats against U.S. officials linked to the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
The national security advisory will remain in effect until September 22.
