According to Iran state media AN attack has begun on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq, with explosions heard in Qatar.
Qatar, which frequently acts as an intermediary for diplomatic talks in the region, strongly condemned the Iranian attack and called for a return to the negotiating table.
The lengthy statement was published minutes after the attack and seemed to be prepared in advance.
Iran’s state-run agency Tasnim reported that the country has launched missile attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq. Al Jazeera, which is based in Qatar, reported spotting missiles in the skies over the Gulf emirate, which is home to the U.S airbase of Al Udeid and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
A senior White House official speaking on condition of anonymity about a sensitive issue said the White House and Department of Defense were closely monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
AP and Reuters reported the sound of explosions had been heard in Qatar, with no immediate report of targets or damage.
Iran launched multiple missiles against an American military base in Qatar in retaliation for the US attack on its nuclear facilities this weekend.
Iran coordinated its attack on Al Udeid Air Base with Qatar, and the Trump administration was aware of the threat in advance, a source familiar with the matter told Axios. The U.S. had "good advance warning" of the Iranian attack, a second source said.
Read more: Iran launches missile strikes on US bases in Qatar and Iraq - What America didn’t expect!
“I can confirm 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 U.S. casualties,” a US defense official told Axios.
“We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available.”
Meanwhile, Iran s Supreme National Security Council released a statement claiming the number of missiles fired at Qatar was equal to the number of bombs the U.S. used in its strike on Saturday — signaling a desire to de-escalate.
“The base that was targeted in the attack by the powerful Iranian forces was far from urban facilities and residential areas in Qatar,” the statement said.
“This action did not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had earlier released a statement claiming it had launched a "devastating and powerful missile attack" against Al Udeid.
“This base is the headquarters of the Air Force and the largest strategic asset of the US terrorist army in the West Asia region,” reads the IRGC statement.
Iran “will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security unanswered under any circumstances,” it said.
