News Desk: In a dramatic escalation of tensions in West Asia, Iran on Monday launched missile attacks on key US military installations, including the Al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar and Ain Al-Assad Airbase in Iraq, in retaliation for recent American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian military has codenamed this retaliatory operation “Herald of Victory.”
The strikes followed the US bombing of three major Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — late Saturday, using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, as confirmed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi.
According to Iranian media and military sources, 10 missiles were fired towards the Al-Udeid base, which houses the US Central Command’s regional headquarters. This base is considered one of Washington’s most critical strategic assets in the Middle East.
Iran’s military declared in a statement:
“This base serves as the headquarters of the terrorist U.S. military in West Asia. We will not leave any act of aggression against our territorial integrity unanswered.”
Iran also targeted US installations in Iraq, prompting the activation of air defense systems at Ain Al-Assad Airbase. Explosions were reported in Doha on Monday evening, and sirens blared across American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as regional alerts intensified.
Qatar Intercepts Missile, Closes Airspace
The Qatari Ministry of Defence confirmed that its air defense systems successfully intercepted missiles aimed at Al-Udeid. “Thanks to God, the vigilance of our armed forces, and precautionary measures, no deaths or injuries occurred,” it said in a statement on X.
— وزارة الدفاع – دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) June 23, 2025
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari condemned the Iranian strikes and warned that Doha reserves the right to respond proportionately to this “brazen aggression.” Qatar had preemptively closed its airspace, issuing a NOTAM hours before the attack and diverting multiple inbound flights, including one from London.
The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) June 23, 2025
The Indian embassy in Qatar urged its nationals to remain calm, stay indoors, and follow local advisories.
Wider Fallout and Threat of Broader Conflict
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that these were only the initial stages of a broader campaign. “Operation Herald of Victory is just the beginning. If the US retaliates again, we will erase its presence from the Middle East,” the IRGC said. The attack is also being viewed as a continuation of Iran’s “True Promise 3” operation against Israeli targets, launched in response to Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which has already killed at least 10 Iranian generals.
Amid the escalating regional crisis, US President Donald Trump declared that America’s strike had “completely obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme, formally aligning with Israel’s military campaign that began on June 13.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament has called for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most sensitive oil shipping lane, which carries 20% of global petroleum supply. Though a final decision is pending, even a partial disruption could send global energy markets into turmoil.
Situation Room on High Alert
As missiles flew and airspaces shut down, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were reported to be monitoring developments from the White House Situation Room. Military analysts say the region now sits on the edge of a full-scale regional war, with potential global implications for energy security, diplomacy, and geopolitical stability.
