On June 23, 2025, Iran launched a coordinated missile attack on two US military bases- Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base and Iraq's Ayn al-Asad Air Base following recent U.S. missile attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. The attack, code-named "Operation Glad Tidings of Victory" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was carefully coordinated to avoid civilian areas and honored advance notice of the intended attacks to regional governments.
/*Quick and Measured Missile Attack*/
IRGC Spokesman General Hossein Salami announced on state television that Iran fired a mix of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles against the U.S. bases. Six were reported to have been fired at Al Udeid by imagery and the IRGC, with explosions observed over Doha's skies . The operation was framed as a proportionate retaliatory strike, not escalation.
/*Air Defenses Activated, No Casualties*/
The Defence Ministry of Qatar confirmed that all the missiles above Al Udeid were intercepted successfully without loss of life, as U.S. Central Command also confirmed no loss of life at either base. Military defence systems at the bases played their role successfully with a possible glancing hit at Qatar's base without causing any damage. U.S. President Trump later described the attack as "very weak response".
/*Diplomatic Signals Amidst Military Action*/
Informed reports reveal that Iran informed Qatar and Iraq several hours beforehand through diplomatic avenues, allowing for the shutdown of airspace and the evacuation of troops. The timely action was consistent with Tehran's goal to demonstrate military capabilities without initiating a full-scale war. Western nations, such as the U.K. and the U.S., condemned the attack, calling for de-escalation and fresh negotiations.
/*Regional Fallout and Airspace Disruptions*/
Following the Iran attack, airspace closure was imposed by UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. Over two dozen commercial flights were diverted, causing regional travel disruptions. IRGC imagery showed clips of missile launches with martial music on screens in Tehran, projecting national power.
/*What's Next: Tensions or Diplomacy*/
Doha and Washington remain on notice, joining up defensive positions. President Trump briefed his national security advisors on the attack. Tehran maintains that its missile count was in balance with the Western airstrikes and is willing to be engaged in diplomatic talks although Iran also warned to freeze collaboration with the IAEA. Analysts warn this could unleash a new era of proxy maneuveringor open the door for back-channel diplomacy.