Iran strikes US base in Qatar: What we know about Al Udeid attack — and what’s next

Dubai: Iran retaliated against US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities by targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest American military installation in the Middle East.

The attack, confirmed by both Iranian state media and US officials, marks a significant escalation in the region’s already volatile conflict. While no casualties were reported, the symbolism of the strike was unmistakable: Iran chose to hit the heart of US military operations in the Gulf.

US President Donald Trump shrugged off the response as “very weak” and saying it was now time to make peace.

The New York Times, citing Iranian officials, reported that the response had been designed to allow “all sides an exit ramp”, drawing a parallel to a similar Iranian attack on a US base in Iraq following Washington’s assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

With international concern mounting that Israel’s campaign in Iran could lead to a regional spillover - concern that only intensified after the US strikes - French President Emmanuel Macron said after the Iranian retaliation that “the spiral of chaos must end”.

The incident follows a wave of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with both countries trading threats and taking unprecedented military action.

With nearly 40,000 US troops spread across the region, and Al Udeid serving as the nerve centre for American air operations, the confrontation could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global security.

Al Udeid, located roughly 30km southwest of Doha, Qatar, is the largest US military base in the Middle East. Built in 1996 and heavily expanded with over $8 billion in Qatari investment, it serves as the forward headquarters for the US Central Command (Centcom), overseeing military operations from Egypt to Central Asia. It also hosts forces from the UK, Qatar, and other allies.

The base has been pivotal in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the 2021 Kabul evacuation. Its long runways and advanced infrastructure enable rapid deployment, making it a cornerstone of US force projection in the region

Iran struck Al Udeid as a direct response to US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) framed the attack as a message: “US bases in the region are not strengths but vulnerabilities.” By hitting the most prominent US base in the Gulf, Tehran sought to challenge Washington’s dominance and retaliate symbolically without provoking immediate mass casualties.

Qatar confirmed the strike but said the base had been evacuated and no one was hurt. Whether missiles actually hit their targets or caused damage remains unclear.

No. Al Udeid was not used in the US operation. In fact, the US deliberately diverted attention by publicizing the movement of B-2 bombers toward Guam. In reality, seven B-2 stealth bombers took off directly from Missouri and struck nuclear sites in Iran from transatlantic routes — avoiding the use of Middle East bases altogether.

This tactical move reduced the risk of immediate retaliatory strikes on US facilities in the region, including Al Udeid.

Yes. Well before the Iranian retaliation, satellite images revealed that most aircraft at Al Udeid had been dispersed — a clear sign the base was bracing for a possible attack. By June 19, nearly all visible aircraft had been moved or sheltered, a common “force protection” tactic used to limit damage in case of missile strikes.

Similarly, US Navy ships were moved from the 5th Fleet’s base in Bahrain, reinforcing the idea that Washington expected Tehran to retaliate and took steps to minimise exposure.

The US and UK warned their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place hours before the attack, citing “an abundance of caution.” Qatar also temporarily closed its airspace. Though these steps didn’t explicitly mention a looming strike, they pointed to growing intelligence of Iranian preparations.

Flight tracking data showed aircraft diverting from Hamad International Airport, one of the busiest in the world. Around 100 incoming flights were redirected shortly before the missiles were detected. Bahrain and Kuwait also closed their airspace as tensions spiked.

While Iran’s strike appears calibrated — symbolic but limited in damage — it underscores how quickly the situation can spiral. Both sides have said they do not seek full-scale war, but each action brings new risks. The US has warned Iran against further retaliation, while Tehran has signaled it will respond to any further violations of its sovereignty.

Early on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that there was no ceasefire agreement with Israel as of now, but if it stopped its attacks then Tehran would also stop firing.

"As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations," Araghchi posted on social media, shortly after the US president announced a deal would begin around 0400 GMT.

Araghchi added that if "the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards."

After his comments, Israeli emergency services said three people were killed and two wounded in an Iranian missile strike in southern Israel.

"Following the missile impact site in southern Israel: So far, MDA teams have pronounced the deaths of three people - Two people with moderate injuries have been evacuated to hospital, and approximately six people with mild injuries are being treated at the scene," Magen David Adom said in a statement on X.

Whether diplomacy can now intervene, or whether the conflict will expand to other parts of the Gulf, remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: With Al Udeid now in the crosshairs, the stakes for the region have never been higher.