Iran launched missiles at US military bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday evening, official media reported, in what state TV called a “powerful” response to recent American strikes on key nuclear sites.
“The operation of Iranian missiles against American bases located in Qatar and in Iraq has begun, and is called ‘Blessing of Victory’,” the official press agency IRNA said. AFP journalists reported hearing explosions in Doha, the capital of Qatar, home to the largest US base in the region.
Meanwhile, Qatar said it had successfully intercepted an Iranian missile attack Monday on the United States’ Al Udeid base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.
“The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base,” it said in a statement, adding that “the incident did not result in any deaths or injuries”.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Qatar has recommended Americans to stay indoors until further notice amid the Israel-Iran conflict.
“Out of an abundance of caution we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice,’’ the advisory said during the event.
The advisory came after the U.S. strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordo and Isfahan in the early hours of Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said after the attack that Tehran “must now agree to end this war’’ or face far more serious consequences.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the door to diplomacy should always be open but added that now was not the time.
He accused the U.S. of undermining diplomatic efforts and affirmed Iran’s commitment to safeguarding its security and interests.
The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said the attacks would not halt its nuclear industry’s progress.
While the U.S. strikes drew widespread international condemnation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described them as a dangerous escalation and a threat to global peace.
Russia strongly denounced the attacks, calling them a gross violation of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions, and urged the IAEA to respond impartially.
Cuba and China also condemned the U.S. operation.
