The U.S. anticipated Iran’s retaliation after strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which occurred on June 21 as missile attacks on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. CNN reported Iran launched both short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. However, the U.S. had relocated military aircraft from the base days earlier, as satellite images on June 19 showed empty tarmacs.
No casualties were reported. U.S. Navy vessels had also left their base in Bahrain prior to the strike, with their locations undisclosed. Qatar’s Defense Ministry confirmed its air defense systems intercepted the missiles, preventing casualties. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari stated the attack was repelled successfully. A White House official likened the situation to Iran’s response after the 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani. Iran claimed its missile count matched the bombs used on its facilities and emphasized it targeted only military sites. President Trump, on Truth Social, avoided addressing the strike directly, instead criticizing media coverage. The U.S. government remains on alert.
