Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, June 23: In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Gulf, Iran has reportedly fired six ballistic missiles at the US-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of Washington’s most strategic military facilities in the Middle East.
The strike, which comes amid worsening hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States, has raised alarms across the region.
According to a Fox News report, explosions were observed over Qatari airspace on Monday night. However, Qatari officials have confirmed that no casualties or damage were recorded at the base.
Qatar closes airspace as precaution
In response, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced the temporary closure of the nation’s airspace earlier on Monday, citing “elevated threats” following warnings from the United States and the United Kingdom. Both countries have advised their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place.
Al Udeid Air Base, located southwest of Doha, serves as a critical hub for US Central Command operations and has been at the forefront of the American military presence in West Asia.
Bahrain on alert as sirens sound
The missile strike has reverberated beyond Qatar. Sirens were reportedly heard in Bahrain, prompting emergency alerts and precautionary measures across the island nation. Residents have been urged to remain indoors as military and civil authorities assess the evolving threat landscape.
Unconfirmed reports of strikes in Iraq
Adding to regional unease, there are unverified reports of additional strikes in Iraq, though details remain scarce. The Iraqi government has yet to release an official statement, but concerns are growing that the conflict could spill over into neighbouring territories.
Israeli strikes target symbolic sites in Tehran
On the same day, Israeli airstrikes hit high-value targets in Tehran, including the infamous Evin Prison and the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The strikes mark a shift in Israeli military strategy, with increased focus on symbolic and regime-linked infrastructure rather than direct military installations.
US attacks on nuclear sites sparked escalation
The crisis escalated sharply after US precision strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Fordow site. While the Biden administration described the action as a “limited deterrent operation” aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Tehran has condemned it as a “flagrant violation of sovereignty” and vowed retaliation.
Iran’s response appears to have begun with the missile attack on Al Udeid, potentially signalling a broader campaign against American interests in the region.
Global concern mounts over Strait of Hormuz
Diplomatic calls for calm have intensified. The European Union and Russia have urged restraint, warning that any further escalation could threaten vital global infrastructure. Of particular concern is the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. A closure or disruption there would send shockwaves through global energy markets.
With the situation fluid and the possibility of further retaliation high, world leaders are scrambling to de-escalate the crisis and avert the outbreak of a wider war in the Middle East.