ALBAWABA- Tensions in the Gulf region escalated dramatically as Qatar confirmed that its air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base, home to U.S. Central Command and the largest American military installation in the region.
The Qatari Ministry of Defense stated that, thanks to God, the vigilance of the armed forces, and precautionary measures taken in advance, the attack caused no casualties or damage.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, airspace, and international law.”
The ministry affirmed Qatar’s right to respond proportionally to the scale and nature of the assault, in accordance with international law. It also called for an immediate halt to all military operations in the region and urged a return to serious dialogue and negotiations to avoid further destabilization.
Fox News reported that, according to initial assessments, no explosions occurred on the ground in Qatar, indicating a successful interception of the Iranian missiles before impact.
Sirens were sounded in neighboring Bahrain, with authorities urging residents to remain calm, seek shelter, and avoid blocking main roads as a precautionary alert was declared.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the strike, stating that it was a direct response to recent U.S. aggression and the targeting of Iranian nuclear sites.
In a statement, the IRGC emphasized that Al Udeid was chosen for its strategic importance as a U.S. military hub in West Asia. “We will not leave any attack on Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity unanswered,” the statement declared.
Notably, tensions in the region escalated sharply as Iran launched a coordinated missile attack on U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, in what Iranian state television described as a "strong response" to recent American strikes.
The operation, codenamed “Bisharat al-Fatah” and symbolized by the phrase “Ya Aba Abdullah (PBUH)”, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation.
A U.S. official confirmed that air defense systems successfully intercepted the majority of incoming missiles aimed at U.S. positions in both Qatar and Iraq.
The White House and Department of Defense are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, particularly the threat to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—home to U.S. Central Command operations.
An Israeli official stated that Iran launched approximately ten ballistic missiles toward Qatar and one toward Iraq. Sirens were also reported at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, adding to regional alarm.
Iranian media broadcast footage showing missile flashes and explosions in the skies above Doha, which came shortly after Qatar announced the temporary closure of its airspace in anticipation of an expected strike. The situation remains tense as both U.S. and regional forces remain on high alert.
