Iran Retaliates, Launches Attacks on U.S. Military Base in Qatar
Iran launched a missile attack Monday on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in direct retaliation for American airstrikes targeting its nuclear facilities, escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East.
Eyewitnesses in Doha reported missiles streaking across the sky followed by loud explosions, though the extent of damage remained unclear.
Iranian state television confirmed the assault, calling it “a mighty and successful response” to what it described as “America’s aggression.” The broadcast was accompanied by martial music and dramatic visuals.
The strike came shortly after Qatar preemptively closed its airspace amid growing threats from Tehran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), declared:
“We neither initiated the war nor seek it. But we will not leave any invasion of great Iran unanswered.”
Al Udeid Air Base—home to the U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters—has long been seen as a potential target by Iran. Although Qatar maintains diplomatic ties with Tehran and jointly manages a vast natural gas field, its hosting of U.S. forces places it squarely in Iran’s crosshairs.
Israel Expands Offensive Amid Ongoing War
Earlier Monday, Israel widened its military operations inside Iran, striking symbols of the Islamic Republic’s authority, including the gate of Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison and the headquarters of forces that crushed recent protests.
Thick plumes of smoke rose over the Iranian capital as Israel faced renewed missile and drone attacks from Tehran. The persistent exchange of fire has taken a heavy toll on civilians in both countries, triggered by Israel’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
On day 11 of the conflict, the Israeli military said it had targeted “regime infrastructure and suppression apparatuses” in the heart of Tehran. However, Israeli officials maintained they were not seeking regime change in Iran—a stance underscored amid fresh warnings of further strikes.
In a message posted to X, the Israeli military urged civilians to avoid military zones, saying more attacks on symbolic sites were imminent. Iran’s ability to communicate with the outside world has been severely hampered by an ongoing internet shutdown.
U.S. Entry into Conflict Raises Stakes
President Donald Trump intensified the crisis after ordering a surprise airstrike Sunday on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites using stealth bombers and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. The move marked an unprecedented escalation and sparked global fears of a broader regional war.
Following the strikes, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform:
“If the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that the president was “simply raising a question,” though Tehran took the remarks as a provocation. Iranian officials have since ruled out negotiations, threatening further retaliation against U.S. troops and interests across the region.
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Iranian Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi warned that the U.S. airstrikes gave Iranian forces a “free hand” to act against American interests, including the military presence in the Gulf region.
Israel Hits Evin Prison, Other Regime Sites
Israeli airstrikes hit the entrance of Evin Prison, a facility notorious for detaining political prisoners and dual nationals. Iranian state TV aired surveillance footage of the blast and showed images of prisoners still in custody.
The Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights expressed concern over the well-being of detainees, citing growing anxiety among families of inmates.
Separately, Israeli forces also targeted roads around the underground Fordo nuclear enrichment site, reportedly to hinder access. That facility was one of three struck by the U.S. in Sunday’s attack.
In response, Israel’s Defense Ministry issued a stern warning:
“The Iranian dictator will be punished with full force for attacking the Israeli home front.”
A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the recent strikes aimed to pressure Tehran but were not intended to topple the government.
Nuclear Concerns Escalate
In Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said the U.S. strikes likely caused “significant damage” at the Fordo site. Iran had previously informed the agency that it had taken unspecified measures to safeguard its nuclear materials.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, claimed sensitive materials had been relocated prior to the attacks.
Grossi emphasized that any transfer of nuclear material must be declared to the IAEA, though it was unclear whether Iran had complied.
Iran Continues to Target Israeli Cities
Iran claimed responsibility for a fresh barrage of missiles targeting Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, under what it dubbed “Operation True Promise 3.”
Israel’s emergency response agency, Magen David Adom, reported no casualties from the latest attacks, though explosions were heard in several areas—some believed to be from air defense interceptions.
The war has already claimed heavy casualties. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and over 1,000 injured. According to the Human Rights Activists group based in Washington, Israeli airstrikes in Iran have killed around 950 people, including 380 civilians and 253 security personnel.
International Reactions and Calls for Calm
The U.S. has insisted its strike on Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites was a limited operation aimed solely at halting nuclear development. But Trump warned Tehran of further consequences if it retaliated again.
Iran labeled the U.S. attack a blatant violation of sovereignty. General Mousavi said it was “tantamount to an invasion.”
In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and condemned the American and Israeli actions as “absolutely unprovoked aggression.”
Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful, civilian purposes. It had previously agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal to limit uranium enrichment and permit inspections, in exchange for sanctions relief. However, after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord during his first term, Iran resumed high-level enrichment and restricted international oversight.
