Tehran: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Middle East crisis, Iran has launched multiple missile strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Iraq and Qatar. The bold attack comes just days after the United States and Israel carried out heavy bombardments on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, prompting Tehran to declare a direct military retaliation against Washington's presence in the region.
According to Iranian state media, a barrage of six missiles was launched toward the U.S. operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar the largest American military facility in the Gulf. Witnesses in Doha reported hearing loud explosions and seeing flares in the sky, sparking panic in the Qatari capital. The Qatari authorities swiftly suspended all flight operations, shutting down national airspace as a precautionary measure.
Several major airlines, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways, were forced to delay or reroute flights, disrupting air traffic across the Gulf. Embassies in Doha including those of the United States and United Kingdom advised residents to remain indoors and avoid public areas.
Simultaneously, missiles were launched at American military positions in Iraq, including bases in Erbil and Al Asad. Though initial reports suggest that the U.S. air defense systems were partially successful in intercepting some of the projectiles, damage assessments are ongoing. No official confirmation has yet been provided regarding casualties or structural damage in either Iraq or Qatar.
Iran has claimed responsibility for these attacks, framing them as a proportional response to what it termed “unprovoked aggression” by the United States and Israel. The coordinated assault, named *“Operation Annunciation of Victory,”* is the most direct Iranian attack on U.S. interests since the January 2020 strike on Al Asad Air Base following the killing of General Qassem Soleimani.
The current crisis erupted after the United States, with Israel's support, conducted precision airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. These sites were suspected to be central to Iran's uranium enrichment activities, which had accelerated following the collapse of the nuclear deal. In response, Iran vowed severe retaliation, and warned that U.S. bases across the Middle East were legitimate targets.
Over the past week, Iran has also targeted Israeli cities with drones and missile strikes, further straining regional stability. With these new attacks against American forces, the conflict has now spilled beyond the Israel-Iran theatre, directly engaging U.S. assets and potentially widening into a multi-front war.
The missile strikes have drawn immediate international concern. The United States Department of Defense confirmed the attacks and stated that measures are being taken to ensure the safety of personnel. While casualties remain unverified, U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated that any assault on American soldiers would be met with overwhelming force.
European leaders, the United Nations, and Russia have called for restraint and diplomatic dialogue. However, fears are growing that Iran might attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Such a move would trigger a worldwide energy crisis, further intensifying the conflict’s economic and political consequences.
With tensions now peaking between Iran and the United States, the likelihood of a wider military confrontation looms large. Al Udeid Air Base, often regarded as the operational heart of U.S. missions in the Middle East, being struck marks a major red line. The attacks have also exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. defense infrastructure across the Gulf, which will likely lead to a reevaluation of military strategy in the region.
As both nations brace for possible further escalation, the international community remains on high alert. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can rein in the tide of war or whether the Middle East is sliding into yet another long and bloody conflict.
Iran’s missile strikes on U.S. airbases in Iraq and Qatar mark a historic turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. No longer confined to proxy wars and indirect engagements, Tehran has now openly challenged American military supremacy in the region. Whether this is the beginning of a broader regional war or a final retaliatory gesture remains to be seen but what’s clear is that the balance of power in the Gulf has entered an unpredictable and dangerous phase.