In a dramatic escalation of regional hostilities, Iran has reportedly launched six missiles targeting US military bases in Qatar, according to an Israeli official cited by Axios and reported by Reuters. Explosions were heard over the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday evening, prompting Qatar to shut down its airspace and forcing both US and UK embassies to issue emergency shelter-in-place advisories to their citizens.
The suspected targets include the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, which houses approximately 10,000 American troops. A Western diplomat told Reuters that a “credible Iranian threat” against the base has existed since noon. The White House and the US Department of Defense are now closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, air defense systems have been activated at the US Ain al-Asad base in Iraq, amid fears of simultaneous strikes. Sky News reports also suggest Iran may have launched attacks targeting US bases in Iraq.
The missile launch follows Iranian threats of retaliation after recent reported strikes on its nuclear facilities. This unfolding crisis marks one of the most serious military escalations in the Middle East in years, with global powers now watching closely.
This is a developing story.
