Iran Reportedly Launches Missiles at US Bases in Qatar Amid Escalating Tensions
Doha, The Gulf observer: Iran has reportedly launched six missiles targeting United States military bases in Qatar, according to a report by Axios citing an Israeli official. The missile launch follows earlier reports that Tehran was preparing retaliatory action in response to recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Multiple explosions were heard over the Qatari capital, Doha, a Reuters witness reported, as tensions heightened in the region. The US air defense system at the Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq was activated on Monday amid fears of further attacks, military sources told Reuters.
A senior White House official confirmed that both the White House and the Department of Defense are closely monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Gulf region. “The White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and are closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base,” the official stated.
The United Arab Emirates also issued a statement saying it is “closely monitoring ongoing regional developments and continuously assessing the situation.” The UAE’s response came amid speculation about possible airspace closures, following Qatar’s move to temporarily restrict its airspace amid the crisis.
In a security advisory, the United States Embassy in Qatar urged American citizens to shelter in place: “Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice.” Similar warnings were issued by the British and Canadian embassies.
Qatar, located approximately 190 kilometers south of Iran, hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, a strategic hub for US military operations in the region.
Iran’s armed forces issued a warning on Monday of “serious, unpredictable consequences” for the United States in retaliation for the airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. These warnings come amid growing fears of a wider conflict between the US, Iran, and their respective regional allies.
In neighboring Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, the American embassy stated that it had “temporarily shifted a portion of its employees to local telework.” The Bahraini government had earlier instructed most of its public-sector employees to work from home, citing “regional circumstances.”
Responding to concerns raised by foreign embassies, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari stated that current travel advisories “do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific or credible threats.” He added, “We would like to reassure the public that the security situation in the state remains stable. Qatar continues to exert intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.”
Meanwhile, the US State Department on Sunday reiterated its global advisory, urging American citizens to “exercise increased caution” amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The situation remains fluid, and governments across the region are on high alert as tensions between Iran and the United States threaten to spiral into broader regional instability.
