Tensions in the Middle East have surged after Iran executed a significant missile strike on U.S. military positions, just days following President Donald Trump’s order for a substantial bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities.
The count of bombs used by the U.S.
As reported by Reuters, six Iranian missiles were launched on Monday (June 23) targeting the Al-Udeid Air Base close to Doha, Qatar — the largest U.S. military base in the area, which accommodates about 10,000 American soldiers.
Iran has also acknowledged that a missile was aimed at a U.S. military installation in Iraq, indicating another front in the rising conflict.
At the same time, the Al-Udeid base in Qatar was one of the primary targets struck in the recent series of Iranian missile attacks.
The attack was characterized by Iran’s state-run Tasnim News as part of “Operation Annunciation of Victory,” which targets both U.S. forces in Qatar and Israeli sites.
Iranian state television aired the news of the missile launch accompanied by martial music, displaying a prominent caption on the screen: “A powerful and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has declared that the number of missiles launched at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar precisely matched the number of bombs the U.S. deployed during its recent assaults on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran’s military stated that the missile attack was “devastating and powerful,” even though Qatari air defenses managed to intercept the missiles. Qatari officials later confirmed that there were no casualties reported at Al-Udeid, although the country had closed its airspace earlier in the day in preparation for a possible attack.
“We affirm that the state of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly, proportionate to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with international law,” said Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Monday.
United Arab Emirates closes its airspace
As the situation escalated, the U.S. embassy in Qatar warned American citizens to stay indoors “until further notice.”
In light of Iran’s recent attacks, the United Arab Emirates has closed its airspace as a precaution, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Bahrain has also warned its citizens to seek shelter immediately.
This escalation follows Trump’s notable decision on Saturday night (June 21), when he ordered a stealth airstrike that “completely obliterated” Iran’s significant nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
“Mission success,” the former president announced, adding that the operation aimed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to X (formerly Twitter), stating: “We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.”
Crisis enters its 11th day
As the crisis reaches its 11th day, Israel has also become more involved. Early Monday, Israeli forces conducted strikes within Tehran, targeting what they referred to as “regime targets and government repression bodies.”
The Israeli military has made it clear that the strikes are just beginning, vowing to keep attacking key locations around Iran’s capital in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Trump stood his ground. Just hours before Iran launched its missile response, he shared a bold message on Truth Social: “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
According to the BBC, Trump is currently in the West Wing, with a U.S. Marine stationed outside the White House — indicating that the former president is closely monitoring the situation.
As airstrikes continue and tensions escalate in the region, concerns about a full-scale war are increasing rapidly — and both sides seem set on continuing their retaliatory actions.
