By Sean Seddon, BBC News
video shows air defences over Qatar as Iran attacks US base
Iran has launched a missile strike on a major U.S. military base in Qatar, claiming it was retaliation for recent American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Eyewitnesses in Doha reported hearing loud explosions overhead, and footage circulating online shows air defense systems engaging with incoming projectiles. Bright flashes lit up the night sky as missiles were intercepted above the Qatari capital.
This marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Iran, Israel, and the United States—one that has pushed tensions in the Middle East to critical levels in recent days.
What Was Targeted—and Why?
The target was Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the region. It houses approximately 8,000 American personnel and serves as the central hub for U.S. air operations across the Middle East. British forces are also stationed at the base on a rotational basis.
According to the Qatari government, the base had been evacuated ahead of the strike, and no casualties or injuries were reported. It remains unclear whether any missiles struck the base or caused structural damage.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a direct response to U.S. airstrikes over the weekend targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. In a statement, the IRGC warned:
“Iran will not leave any attack on its sovereignty unanswered. U.S. bases in the region are not strengths—they are vulnerabilities.”
How Did the U.S. and Others Prepare?
Signs of a potential Iranian attack emerged earlier on Monday. Qatar had temporarily closed its airspace, and both the U.S. and U.K. advised their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place.
Though these advisories cited "an abundance of caution," intelligence shortly before the attack suggested a “credible threat” to Al Udeid.
U.S. officials reportedly tracked missile launch preparations within Iran, and several flights bound for Doha were diverted in anticipation of possible conflict. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed nearly 100 inbound planes rerouting shortly before the missile launches began.
Hamad International Airport, one of the busiest international airports globally, handles around 140,000 passengers daily. Neighboring countries including Bahrain and Kuwait also closed their airspace as a precaution.
Background: How Did This Begin?
Tensions have surged since the U.S. conducted major airstrikes late Saturday, targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities. These strikes followed days of speculation over whether Washington would join Israel's aggressive military campaign against Iran.
Since June 13, Israel has been launching near-daily strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Israeli officials argue the campaign is essential to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon—something both Israel and the U.S. have long pledged to stop.
Iran insists its nuclear program is purely civilian, though international concerns have persisted for decades.
The United States claims its weekend strikes inflicted significant damage on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but the full scope of the impact remains unknown.
Even after the strike on Qatar, exchanges between Iran and Israel continued into Monday, leaving the region on edge.
What Comes Next?
The Biden administration has yet to formally respond to the missile attack on Al Udeid. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation appear to be faltering as military actions intensify.
With multiple nations now closing airspace and thousands of civilians potentially at risk, the international community is closely watching whether this latest strike will tip the region into broader conflict.