Iran retaliates, fires missiles at US bases in Qatar, Iraq
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strikes are a “clear and explicit” message to the White House.
Iran retaliated on Monday for US strikes on Sunday that targeted three of its nuclear sites, firing 14 missiles at American bases in Qatar and Iraq, per the White House.
An Israeli defense official confirmed earlier to Al-Monitor that Iran had launched at least 10 missiles toward US bases in Qatar and one toward Iraq.
Qatar hosts the largest US military presence in the Middle East, with more than 8,000 troops stationed at Al Udeid Air Base outside the capital, Doha. The US military also maintains a presence at Ain Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar province.
US defense official confirmed to Al-Monitor that "Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran today. At this time, there are no reports of US casualties."
According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, Iran's missile operation against US bases in Qatar and Iraq was launched under the name Blessings of Victory.
A statement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iran launched a “powerful and devastating missile attack” on the Al Udeid base in Qatar.
The IRGC described the strike as a “clear and explicit” message to the White House, warning that Iran “will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty or national security unanswered under any circumstances.”
Footage captures the launch of PATRIOT interceptors in Qatar, engaging incoming Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base. pic.twitter.com/AOvcTRTpu0
— GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) June 23, 2025
Iran's National Security Council, in a statement published by Tasnim, said that the attack included the same number of bombs that the United States used in its strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, without providing exact numbers. The council said that Iran's attack "does not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar."
Qatar condemned the Iranian attack and threatened to retaliate “directly.”
"We express the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of the attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement. “Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportionate to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with international law,” Ansari said.
Meanwhile, Bahrain's Interior Ministry said in a post on X that "the siren has been sounded" and urged people to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place." The ministry stopped short of saying an attack on its territory had occurred. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, and around 9,000 American troops are stationed in the country.
After the Iranian strike, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered."
"I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same," he added.
In a follow up post, he wrote, “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD,” adding, "IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!”
The attack was one of the largest direct strikes by Tehran on US targets in the region, after the Islamic Republic's response to the killing of IRGC commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
The United States entered the Israel-Iran war on Sunday, as Trump authorized strikes on the Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear sites. Tehran said the attacks "crossed a big red line" and vowed retaliation.
This developing story has been updated.
