Iran attacks US airbase in Qatar; missiles successfully intercepted

AFP | Doha

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

said yesterday the security situation was “stable” following an Iranian missile attack that targeted a US airbase on its territory in retaliation for American attacks on Iran key nuclear sites.

“The Ministry of Interior confirms... that the security situation in the country is stable, and there is no cause for concern,” the government said in a statement.

This came moments after Iran launched missiles yesterday evening at a major US airbase in Qatar — Al Udeid Air Base — with explosions ringing out in Doha and projectiles seen streaking overhead.

Qatar, which is home to the largest US military facility in the Middle East, said its “air defences successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base”.

US President Donald Trump shrugged off the response as “very weak” and said it was now time to make peace.

He said Iran gave warning of the missile salvo, indicating that it wanted to avoid casualties.

Right to respond

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said his country “reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression”.

Condemnation

Regional neighbours strongly condemned Tehran’s attack “in the strongest terms”, which constitutes a flagrant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and the United Nations Charter. They offered “all their capabilities to support the sisterly State of Qatar in any measures it takes”.

Diplomacy

UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned Iran’s attack and urged again for diplomacy to end the conflict between Iran and Israel, his spokesman said.

“From the outset of the crisis, the Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned any military escalation in this conflict, including today’s attack by Iran on the territory of Qatar,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Guterres “further reiterates his call on all parties to stop fighting,” he added.

GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, described the act as a serious violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf region.

He emphasised that any attack on a GCC member state is an attack on the entire Council, reiterating the bloc’s unified stance in standing with Qatar against any threat to its territorial integrity and national security.

Arab Parliament

The Arab Parliament called it a clear and unacceptable violation of Qatari sovereignty and international law.

It also urged against further escalation and the spread of conflict in the region.