Iran launches missiles at US base in Qatar in response to strikes

Iran has launched missiles at US airbases in Qatar and Iraq in response to strikes on its nuclear sites on Saturday, state media reports

Qatar confirms the attack on the US-run Al Udeid base, calling it a “flagrant violation” and says it reserves the right to respond directly

The country has temporarily closed its airspace and US and UK citizens have been advised to shelter in place

In Washington, Donald Trump is attending a National Security Council meeting shortly, after the White House earlier said he was ‘simply raisinga question’ in floating the idea of regime change in Iran

It comes as Israel says it is targeting Tehran with “unprecedented force”, including attacks on “access routes” to the Fordo nuclear site and Evin prison.

Al Udeid, located near Qatar’s capital Doha, serves as the headquarters for US Central Command’s air operations in the Middle East and hosts nearly 8,000 US troops.

British forces also rotate through the base, sometimes referred to as Abu Nakhla Airport.

The facility currently serves as the headquarters and logistics base for US operations in Iraq and also includes the longest air landing strip in the Gulf region.

Qatar gave the United States access to the Al Udeid base in 2000. After the Americans took over as base managers in 2001, Doha and Washington inked an agreement in December 2002 that officially recognised the US military’s presence at Al Udeid facility, according to London-based intelligence firm Grey Dynamics.

In 2024, CNN reported that the US reached an agreement to extend its military presence in Qatar for another 10 years.

(BBC)

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