The Tribune International
DUBAI – In a dramatic escalation of the conflict gripping the Middle East, Iran launched a missile strike on a United States military base in Qatar on Monday, calling it a “mighty and successful response” to the American airstrikes that hit three of its nuclear facilities a day earlier.
Read also: Tensions soar as US joins Israel in targeting Iran’s nuclear programme
Iranian state television confirmed that the attack targeted the Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters. The broadcast featured patriotic music and bold captions as missiles streaked across the sky. While witnesses in Qatar reported seeing flashes and hearing loud blasts, the extent of damage or casualties has not yet been confirmed.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the nation through social media platform X shortly before the strikes, stated: “We neither initiated the war nor seek it. But we will not let an invasion of great Iran go unanswered.”
The missile barrage came hours after Qatar shut down its airspace as a precautionary measure, signaling the seriousness of Iran’s threat.
Regional war looms larger
Tensions had already reached a boiling point after Israel, with advance knowledge by the United States, expanded its military campaign inside Iran. Over the weekend, Israeli jets targeted symbolic locations in Tehran, including the gate of the infamous Evin Prison, a facility notorious for housing political dissidents and dual nationals.
Israel also struck the headquarters of Iran’s internal military forces responsible for cracking down on recent protests, calling it a move against “regime suppression.” While Israel claims it is not seeking regime change, its recent strikes have shifted from nuclear facilities to political and symbolic targets.
The U.S. Department of Defense said its own strikes on Iran’s nuclear program were “limited but necessary” to curtail Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. Sophisticated bunker-buster bombs were used to hit deeply buried sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. The move marked the first direct American military involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Iran, which has long insisted its nuclear program is purely civilian, has accused the U.S. of crossing a red line. According to Iranian officials, some sensitive nuclear materials were removed from the sites ahead of the U.S. attacks, although the extent of damage is still being assessed.
### A widening front
On Monday, Israel faced another wave of missile and drone strikes from Iran under what Tehran dubbed “Operation True Promise 3.” Iranian state media claimed the attacks were focused on Tel Aviv and Haifa, while loud explosions were also heard in Jerusalem. Air defense systems were seen intercepting some of the incoming projectiles, and emergency services reported no major injuries in Israel from the latest barrage.
Israel’s military stated it also struck access roads to Iran’s Fordo enrichment facility, aiming to delay potential repairs and disrupt movement near the sensitive site.
Iran’s top military commander, Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, warned that U.S. strikes had effectively given Iran a “free hand” to act against American interests and personnel in the region. With tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed across the Middle East, the risk of further escalation remains dangerously high.
Global reactions and rising fears
The international community has called for restraint, but responses have been mixed. Russia, a close Iranian ally, condemned the strikes as “unprovoked aggression.” President Vladimir Putin, following a meeting with Iran’s foreign minister in Moscow, stressed the need to de-escalate, warning of the consequences if diplomacy fails.
Back in Vienna, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, expressed concern over the damage at Iran’s nuclear sites and said any movement of nuclear material must be declared to the agency. So far, Iran has not responded.
The broader fear now is that this tit-for-tat violence may spin into a full-blown regional war. With both Iran and Israel sustaining casualties — and the U.S. now directly in the mix — observers say the conflict has entered a new and dangerous phase.
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