In a bold act of retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, just two days after President Donald Trump ordered coordinated strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The escalation marks a dramatic new chapter in the widening regional conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), 19 missiles were fired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as part of an operation named Annunciation of Victory. U.S. and Qatari air defenses — including Patriot missile batteries — successfully intercepted the majority of the incoming threats. One missile did strike the base, but CENTCOM confirmed that no American or Qatari personnel were injured.
President Trump called the strike a “very weak response” and praised Qatari cooperation in intercepting the attack. In a pair of social media posts, Trump said the U.S. had received prior warning from backchannel communications, which allowed base personnel to take shelter and aircraft to disperse ahead of time. “I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost,” Trump wrote. “Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
Photos and videos posted online from Doha showed the night sky lit up with the trails of interceptor missiles and distant explosions. Air raid sirens echoed across the city, and Qatari officials quickly issued — and later lifted — a shelter-in-place order.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a strongly worded statement condemning the strike as a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty and international law. “We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression,” the statement read.
Footage on Social Media
Alleged footage of the Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base quickly began circulating across social media platforms, offering a real-time glimpse into the high-stakes engagement.
One video, shared by veteran and political commentator Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1), appeared to show interceptor missiles lighting up the night sky over Doha as air defenses responded to the incoming barrage. The dramatic footage captured the sound of explosions in the distance.
PATRIOT interceptors in Qatar, engaging incoming Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base.
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 23, 2025
PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!!! pic.twitter.com/RTjZWX1C2f
Another widely viewed post came from journalist Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg), who shared an official update from Qatari authorities confirming that the Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. His post included a quote from the Qatari government:
“We reassure that Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles… We call for the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.”
JUST IN: Qatar confirms that Iranian missiles launched toward U.S. Al Udeid Air Base were successfully intercepted.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 23, 2025
There are no reports of any damage or injuries.
"We reassure that Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles."… pic.twitter.com/BtIAS2r4Sq
The viral nature of these posts underscores the role of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in modern warfare, as civilians and commentators alike continue to document live combat operations from the ground in real-time.
A Strategic Target
Al Udeid Air Base, located about 20 miles southwest of Doha, is the forward operating headquarters of CENTCOM and one of the most strategically important U.S. military installations in the region. It has housed thousands of U.S. troops and served as a launchpad for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the ongoing fight against ISIS.
At its peak, the base supported as many as 10,000 troops. While that number has fluctuated over the years, approximately 8,000 American personnel were stationed at Al Udeid as of 2022. Over the past two decades, the Qatari government has poured an estimated $8 billion into developing the base.
Satellite imagery taken days before the Iranian strike showed an eerily empty tarmac — a sign that U.S. forces had preemptively dispersed aircraft and equipment in anticipation of a retaliatory attack. A similar dispersal occurred with the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet assets in Bahrain.
Regional Shockwaves
The Iranian strike on Al Udeid sent shockwaves throughout the Gulf region. Air raid sirens were also reported in Bahrain, where the U.S. 5th Fleet is headquartered. Bahraini officials ordered a temporary closure of their airspace and instructed residents to seek shelter.
Qatar likewise closed its airspace “to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors,” further disrupting regional travel and operations.
The IRGC declared the attack a warning to Washington, accusing the U.S. of crossing a red line by striking what it claimed were peaceful nuclear facilities. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei released a cryptic post featuring a tattered American flag and the statement, “We didn’t harm anyone. And we will not accept any harassment from anyone under any circumstances.”
A senior U.S. defense official confirmed the Iranian strike involved both short- and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran.
Political Fallout in Washington
Back in the U.S., the strike has reignited the political debate over presidential war powers. While Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended President Trump’s authority to strike preemptively, Democratic leaders including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries raised constitutional concerns.
“The use of military force, which is offensive in nature, must be approved by the House and the Senate,” Jeffries said during a Monday press conference.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a longtime critic of unchecked executive war powers, reiterated calls for a War Powers Resolution to force the administration to seek congressional approval for continued operations against Iran. “Whether you like it or not, Congress will be voting on U.S. hostilities in Iran,” Massie posted to social media.
A classified congressional briefing on the situation is scheduled for Wednesday, with bipartisan lawmakers eager to learn whether Iran’s missile strike marks the end of a tit-for-tat escalation — or the beginning of a broader conflict.
The Bigger Picture
The missile assault on Al Udeid highlights a dangerous new reality in the Middle East: that U.S. forces are once again squarely in the crosshairs of Iranian retaliation. With roughly 45,000 American troops currently spread across the region — including Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE — the risk of further confrontation remains high.
While President Trump appears hopeful that Monday’s attack was Iran “getting it out of their system,” Tehran’s warning is clear: U.S. military bases in the Middle East are no longer untouchable, and the days of asymmetric impunity may be coming to an end.
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