Iran attacks US air base in Qatar: What we know so far

Iran has attacked United States forces stationed astatine the Al Udeid Air Base successful Qatar, saying it was retaliating against the US strikes connected Iran’s atomic sites.

The attacks connected Monday were confirmed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) successful a connection addressed to the Iranian people.

Consecutive flares, coupled with large explosions, were seen successful Qatar’s capital, Doha, and different parts of the country.

Here’s what to cognize astir the Iranian attacks successful Qatar.

Why did Iran motorboat an onslaught successful Qatar?

The IRGC, successful its statement, said it launched a “powerful and devastating rocket attack” arsenic portion of Operation Annunciation of Victory successful effect to the “blatant subject aggression” by the US connected Iran’s atomic facilities.

The IRGC besides said its “decisive action” sent a connection to the White House and its allies that Iran would, “under nary circumstances, permission immoderate aggression against its territorial integrity, sovereignty, oregon nationalist information unanswered”.

“US bases and mobile subject assets successful the portion are not points of strength, but alternatively large vulnerabilities,” the connection warned.

Where did Iran onslaught and why?

Iran said it targeted the Al Udeid Air Base successful Qatar due to the fact that it “serves arsenic the bid centre of the US Air Force and is the largest strategical plus of the American violent service successful West Asia”.

Tehran besides noted that the rocket onslaught was conducted distant from residential areas successful Qatar.

“This enactment does not airs immoderate menace to the affable and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and continuing lukewarm and historical relations with Qatar,” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said successful a statement.

What and wherever is the Al Udeid Air Base?

Al Udeid is the largest US subject basal successful the Middle East, lodging astir 10,000 US troops.

The 24-hectare (60-acre) base, located successful the godforsaken southwest of Doha, was acceptable up successful 1996. It serves arsenic the guardant office for US Central Command, which directs US subject operations successful a immense swath of territory stretching from Egypt successful the westbound to Kazakhstan successful the east.

The basal houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the US Air Force, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and different overseas forces.

How did Iran attack, and however did Qatar respond?

A US defence official, quoted by the Reuters quality agency, said that “Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran”.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence, meanwhile, said its aerial defence systems successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles targeting the base.

Qatar said it received accusation that bases successful the portion are being targeted, including Al Udeid Air Base.

“At 7:30pm (1630 GMT), we received reports that 7 missiles were launched from Iran toward Al Udeid Air Base,” Qatari officials said successful a briefing aboriginal connected Monday.

They confirmed that Al Udeid Air Base was evacuated earlier the attack.

Its Foreign Ministry decried the attack, saying it is simply a “violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace and the UN charter”, and that Doha reserves the close to respond.

Was determination immoderate harm aft Iran’s attack?

Qatar’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the incidental resulted successful nary deaths oregon injuries.

In a aboriginal property briefing, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that a full of 19 missiles were fired from Iran. It added that lone 1 of those deed Al Udeid Air Base, but caused nary casualties.

“We are arrogant of the effect to today’s onslaught and nary harm was reported,” Qatari officials said.

What’s happening successful Qatar arsenic a effect of the Iranian attack?

In the hours starring up to the attack, the embassies of the US and the UK successful Qatar released statements urging citizens successful Qatar to structure successful spot until further notice.

However, the advisory was lifted a fewer hours aft the attacks had ceased.

Several British, American and European schools successful the state said they would stay closed connected Tuesday.

Qatar’s Ministry of Education said each exams acceptable to instrumentality spot connected Tuesday had been rescheduled for Wednesday.

During its briefing, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said the concern successful the state was “completely stable” and that each authorities are moving successful coordination to guarantee the information of the public.

Jabr al-Naimi from Qatar’s Public Security said the information of citizens, residents, and residents is of the “utmost priority”.

“We volition not let immoderate planetary oregon outer situation oregon struggle to impact our beingness successful Qatar,” helium said successful a televised property conference.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry besides said beingness is going backmost to “normal” pursuing the attack, and has reiterated its telephone for warring parties to negotiate.

Why was Qatar’s airspace shut, and erstwhile did it reopen?

Qatar unopen down its airspace temporarily, saying it was “part of the measures taken to guarantee the information of residents and visitors.”

It was reopened much than 5 hours later.