Iran strikes US base in Qatar; Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire coming

Iran attacked Al Udeid Air Base, a key U.S. facility in the Mideast, just days after the U.S. carried out a surprise attack on three of Iran’s nuclear sites. 

Iran retaliates

The Iranian strike, around 8 p.m. local time, involved short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and came after Qatar announced the closure of its airspace on Monday, with top Iranian officials vowing consequences for President Donald Trump's weekend strike on the nation's nuclear program.

Iranian state media announced that the military response had begun, dubbing the attack "Operation Fatah's Blessing."

Officials made the announcement on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it "a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression."

Commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army Amir Hatami closely follows the developments at the Iranian Army's Combat Command Room in Tehran, Iran on June 23, 2025. (Photo by Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A top Qatari official wrote on X that local air defenses "successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles."

"We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law," added Dr. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for the country's minister of foreign affairs.

The Pentagon said no casualties were reported at the base, which President Trump later confirmed.

"Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response," he posted, in part, on Truth Social. "I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done." 

What they're saying:

Iran said its missile attack matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites this weekend, signaling Iran's likely desire to de-escalate, The Associated Press noted.

Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.

Trump says ceasefire is near 

What they're saying:

Trump said Monday on social media that Israel and Iran have agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire" to be phased in over 24 hours.

The U.S. president said on Truth Social that the ceasefire would bring an "Official END" to the war, a major change in the hostilities that follows a U.S. strike over the weekend on three Iranian nuclear sites.

"On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR,’" Trump posted.

Dig deeper:

Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, where approximately 10,000 U.S. soldiers are deployed. It currently serves as the headquarters and logistics base for US operations in Iraq and also includes the longest air landing strip in the Gulf region.

File: A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker takes off on a newly reopened runway at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Nov. 1, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

Iran had vowed to retaliate against the U.S. after American B-2 bombers dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites. 

"The criminal US must know that in addition to punishing its illegitimate and aggressive offspring, the hands of Islam’s fighters within the armed forces have been freed to take any action against its interests and military, and we will never back down in this regard," Abdolrahim Mousavi, the new chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, warned in a statement.

Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."

US troops in Mideast

Big picture view:

There are tens of thousands of U.S. troops in the region, stationed in Iraq, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Jordan. All are in range of Iran’s ballistic, drones or cruise missiles.

(Image by Omar Zaghloul / Anadolu via Getty Images)

Permanent bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have sophisticated air defenses, but may not be able to stop all of the incoming fire based on the proximity and warning time. 

Why did the US attack Iran?

In Short:

The U.S. attacked Iran over its nuclear program.

The backstory:

On June 13, Israel started the war with Iran over its alleged nuclear development with a surprise bombardment of Iran's military and nuclear sites. Since then, Iranian officials from the supreme leader on down have warned the U.S. to stay out, saying it would have dire consequences for the entire region.

In the days since, Israel and Iran traded attacks, while negotiations with the U.S. over Iran’s nuclear program were still on the table. 

File: A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing lands at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Jan. 25, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)

For Context:

Iran has insisted for decades that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran has the ability to enrich the purity of uranium and stockpile it. 

In the early hours of June 22, 2025, local time, the U.S. attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran with "bunker buster" bombs and Tomahawk missiles.

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit takes off to support Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, June 2025. (U.S. Dept. of Defense)

Trump addressed the nation shortly after and said the attacks destroyed Iran’s ability to produce and/or store highly enriched uranium that could be used to produce a nuclear weapon.

READ MORE: US bombs Iran: Read Trump address here

The Source: Information in this article was taken from FOX News and The Associated Press, referencing statements from the Iran government. Background information was taken from previous FOX Television Station reporting. This story was reported from Detroit. 

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