Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Missile attack details
The attack came in two waves: the first volley included seven missiles, all intercepted by Qatar’s air defenses. The second volley consisted of 11 missiles, with only one hitting the base. Qatar’s Interior Ministry said debris landing in residential areas was cleared safely.
U.S. President Donald Trump said 14 missiles were fired in total, 13 intercepted, and one allowed to fall harmlessly because it posed no threat. This count differs from Qatar’s military, which reported 18 missiles launched.
The Pentagon confirmed the U.S. air defenses at Al-Udeid successfully responded to the threat. The base was briefly on high alert, with videos showing smoke near its perimeter.
Iran claims retaliation
Iranian Armed Forces claimed responsibility, describing the strike as a “destructive and powerful” response to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the base was targeted away from civilian areas and reiterated Tehran’s commitment to maintaining good relations with Qatar.
Regional and international reactions
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strike as a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty and expressed surprise at the attack. Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, and Morocco, strongly condemned the missile attack, calling it a breach of international law and a threat to regional stability.
The United Nations also condemned the strike, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning it risks further destabilization and urging restraint.
Conflicting accounts and calls for peace
President Trump confirmed no Americans were harmed and thanked Iran for what he said was early notification of the strike, which helped prevent casualties. However, Qatar and regional countries said they were surprised by the attack, indicating differing accounts on any prior warnings.
Trump called for de-escalation and urged Iran and Israel to pursue “peace and harmony.” The U.S. Embassy in Qatar lifted its shelter-in-place order and will reopen Tuesday.
Flights and daily life continue
Despite the tensions, Emirates Airlines said flights would continue on adjusted routes away from conflict zones. Qatar reported no disruptions to civil aviation or infrastructure beyond the brief alert at the air base.
The British government announced on Wednesday that it had struck a series of trade and investment agreements worth $8.6 billion with Saudi Arabia, mar...
According to Report, the U.S.-Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group is set to begin its work soon, the press service of the U.S. Department of State said...
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Wednesday urged Japan to move swiftly on its plan to raise defence spending but said he had not made any spe...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 29 October, covering the latest developments you need to know....
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on the final stop of his Asia tour, seeking breakthroughs on trade talks with Seoul and Beijing as ...
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza remains intact despite Israeli airstrikes that killed dozens, as Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the fragile truce.
Pakistan's defence minister has warned of military action against the Afghan Taliban after peace talks in Istanbul broke down, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The British government announced on Wednesday that it had struck a series of trade and investment agreements worth $8.6 billion with Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in the UK’s efforts to boost economic relations across the Gulf.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on the final stop of his Asia tour, seeking breakthroughs on trade talks with Seoul and Beijing as President Lee Jae Myung rolled out a lavish welcome featuring the nation’s highest honour and a symbolic golden crown.
A small, silent object from another star is cutting through the Solar System. It’s real, not a film, and one scientist thinks it might be sending a message.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
According to Report, the U.S.-Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group is set to begin its work soon, the press service of the U.S. Department of State said.
Hamas on Tuesday (October 28) denied responsibility for an attack on Israeli forces in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which triggered renewed Israeli strikes across the enclave.
Türkiye has officially delivered its first domestically produced Altay tanks to the armed forces, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of BMC’s Ankara Tank and New Generation Armoured Vehicles Production Facility.
Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev met with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing where the duo held all important bilateral talks.
The Interior Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) met in Tehran on Tuesday to promote cooperation in cybersecurity and fight against smuggling and cross-border trafficking.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment