Monday June 23, 2025

By Idorenyin UMOREN
Security Evaluator

In a dramatic turn of events, Iran has launched six missiles targeting United States military installations in Qatar and Iraq.

The strikes, believed to be a direct retaliation for the recent U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, mark a significant escalation in Middle East tensions.

Loud explosions were heard over Doha, Monday night, as several missiles were aimed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a major hub for U.S. forces in the region.

The announcement was made on state television, Monday, June 23, as martial music played, with a caption on the screen calling it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression”.

The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.

Explosions were heard over the Qatari capital city Doha, according to Reuters.

An AXIOS reporter, citing an Israeli official, said that six missiles had been launched by Iran directed towards US air bases in Qatar.

A Western diplomat told Reuters on Monday, June 23, that there has been a credible Iranian threat against the US-run al Udeid Air Base in Qatar since noon. The air base in Qatar is the Middle East’s largest US base that houses around 10,000 troops.

Qatar has shut down airspace temporarily as part of measures taken amid developments in the region, a statement by the Qatari foreign ministry said on X. It said the move comes to ensure safety of residents and visitors.

The British government has joined the US in advising its citizens in Qatar to shelter in place until further notice. The notice on Monday has triggered a slew of messages from various Doha-based institutions to employees and students, while Qatar maintained that the situation was stable, Reuters reported.

Diplomatic sources have confirmed that a military carrier transporting “vulnerable” British nationals and their dependants from Israel has landed in Cyprus. “The plane has arrived at Larnaca International Airport,” the Guardian was told. “If the demand is there there’ll be more repatriation flights.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially acknowledged responsibility for the operation.

According to Iran’s state-linked Tasnim news agency, the offensive was part of a retaliatory mission named “Annunciation of Victory,” launched in response to the recent US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.