"Blessings of Victory" Strikes US Bases
Iran has officially confirmed launching missile attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including the critical Al Udeid Air Base near Doha and the Ain Al-Asad base in Iraq's Anbar province. The operation, named "Blessings of Victory" (also reported as "Annunciation of Victory" or "Fatah's Blessing"), involved approximately 10-11 missiles directed towards Qatar and at least one towards Iraq.
Iranian state television, IRIB, broadcast the announcement with martial music, describing it as "a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America's aggression."This marks Iran's second largest direct strike against US targets since its retaliation for the killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani in 2020. While American Patriot missile defense systems were activated and reportedly intercepted some incoming missiles, initial reports indicated no major damage at the targeted facilities.
Al Udeid Air Base Under Attack
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) specifically targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, describing it as a "devastating and powerful missile attack." Qatar's government confirmed the strike, stating that their air defenses "thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles." The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the assault as "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter," and reserved the right to respond to what they termed "brazen aggression."
Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East and forward headquarters for CENTCOM, hosts approximately 10,000 US troops. These personnel were ordered to shelter in place during the attack. In anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation, the US had already evacuated many aircraft and personnel from the base in recent weeks. Qatar temporarily closed its airspace as a precautionary measure, while the US, UK, and China issued warnings advising their nationals in Qatar to seek shelter.
Qatar's Air Defense Success
Qatar's air defense systems successfully intercepted the Iranian missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base. Dramatic footage showed interceptor missiles launching against incoming Iranian ballistic missiles over Doha. The Qatari Ministry of Defense affirmed that the vigilance of their armed forces and precautionary measures ensured no deaths or injuries resulted from the incident. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, confirmed that the base had been evacuated in advance as a precautionary measure.
The interception was part of Qatar's comprehensive security response, which included temporarily closing its airspace prior to the attack. Following the successful defense operation, the Ministry of Defense reassured citizens and residents that "the skies and territory of the State of Qatar remain secure," emphasizing that the Qatari Armed Forces "are always fully prepared to respond to any threats." The ministry also advised Qataris to follow official instructions and updates from authorized sources only.
Regional Security Implications
The Iranian missile attack has significantly escalated tensions across the Middle East, triggering immediate security measures throughout the Gulf region. Kuwait and Bahrain reported activating their air defense systems as sirens sounded across their territories. The US Department of Defense placed all American military installations in the region on heightened alert, with officials describing the situation as "extremely fluid and dangerous."
Several countries took protective actions: Qatar completely shut down its airspace "to ensure safety of residents and visitors," and the US, UK, and China issued urgent warnings advising their nationals in Qatar and surrounding countries to shelter in place. Iranian military spokesmen declared that the US decision to enter the conflict "expands the scope of legitimate targets," with IRGC officials stating that every American in the Middle East is now considered a "legitimate target."
