Iran launched at least six missiles against United States military bases in Qatar and Iraq, seemingly in retaliation for American air strikes against three of its nuclear sites.
According to a report by by the local media, citing an Israeli official, six missiles were launched at US bases in Qatar.
The Gulf state hosts the largest American military presence in the Middle East, with over 8,000 personnel stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base, located just outside the capital, Doha.
Explosions were heard in Doha on Monday, reported both Agence France-Presse and Reuters, though there has not been any immediate confirmation from the Qatari authorities. Israeli newspaper Haaretz also stated that one missile was fired at a US base within Iraq.
A high-ranking White House official explained to Al-Monitor that "the White House and Department of Defense are aware of and closely tracking potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar." No official confirmation as yet about casualties or damage from the attack.
This is Iran's second-largest direct attack on US properties, after its 2020 missile attack following Qasem Soleimani, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) commander, was assassinated.
The escalation comes after President Donald Trump approved American attacks against three of Iran's main nuclear sites — Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan — on Sunday.
Tehran had made strong threats that the attacks would be met with a swift response, referring to the strikes as "a big red line" which had been drawn.
The situation in the region is extremely volatile. Monday's missile attack marks a sharp escalation of the ongoing Iran-US conflict, which has now engaged multiple regional actors and could spread further.
This is a breaking story and will be updated as further information comes in.
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