Iran has attacked an American airbase in Qatar. Iran also claimed to have shelled a base in Iraq, but according to the Americans, only Qatar was attacked. This is what we know now about the attacks.
The Iranian military fired rockets at the American airbase Al Udeid in Qatar, near the capital Doha. Iran speaks of a “devastating and powerful” rocket attack. But according to the United States, no rocket hit the base.
Explosions were heard above the Qatari capital Doha, reports news agency Reuters. The American airbase Al Udeid is located in the desert around Doha. It is the largest American base in the Middle East and about ten thousand soldiers are stationed there.
According to Qatar, there were no casualties in the attack. Three Iranian sources claim to the American newspaper The New York Times that Iran consulted with Qatar in advance. Iran would have warned Qatar of the attack, to limit the number of casualties.
Qatar had already closed its airspace earlier on Monday to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors. Earlier, the American embassy in Qatar advised Americans to stay inside “as a precaution.”
According to sources, Iran felt compelled to carry out a symbolic retaliatory attack on the United States after the American attack on nuclear targets in Iran last weekend. That would have been coordinated with Qatar in advance to prevent further escalation. The Iranian security council also says in a statement that the attack was not intended to endanger the “friendly and fraternal” Qatar.
Al Udeid is one of the most important American military bases in the region. On the map of the Al Udeid base below, you can see that American planes had already left. The situation on the left is that of June 5, the situation on the right is that of June 19. You can deduce from this that the Americans were already taking into account a possible counter-attack.
Military sources tell news agency Reuters that the air defense at the Ain Al Asad base in Iraq has been activated. American soldiers at the base were advised to take shelter in bunkers.
The Saudi news channel Al Arabiya reports that warning sirens were heard due to a possible attack, but according to Iraqi security sources, Iran did not carry out a rocket attack on that base. Iranian media report an attack, but the Iranian army has not confirmed an attack on this American base.
The Americans state that only the base in Qatar was attacked. According to American officials, there were no other attacks. In short: still a lot of uncertainty.
After the attack on Qatar, other Gulf States are also alert. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily closed its airspace. The government in Bahrain advises residents to only go out on the streets if it is really necessary and then stay on the main roads. The airspace is also closed in that country. The largest American naval base in the Gulf region is located in Bahrain, so that country could also be a potential new target.
Whether Iran actually wants to carry out a next attack on the Americans remains to be seen.