The State of Qatar issued a forceful denunciation Monday evening of the missile attack launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against Al Udeid Air Base, describing it as “a flagrant violation of Qatari sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter.”

The assault, code-named “Annunciation of Victory” by Tehran, came in direct retaliation to U.S. airstrikes over the weekend on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites—an unprecedented American use of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators against subterranean facilities.

Iran’s leadership vowed to match U.S. “decimation” of its nuclear program with an equally potent counterstrike.

Al Udeid, located some 40 kilometers southwest of Doha, hosts the U.S. Air Force’s forward headquarters in the Middle East, accommodating more than 10,000 American and allied personnel. Its strategic value lies in supporting operations across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, as well as intelligence-sharing with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners.

Anticipating potential retaliation, Qatar’s armed forces partially evacuated non-essential personnel from the base hours before the strike, deployed additional Patriot missile batteries, and activated its multi-layered air defense. According to the Ministry of Defense, at least three IRGC-launched projectiles were intercepted, and “no casualties or significant material damage” were reported.

In a statement on X, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the strike as “blatant aggression,” and affirmed that “Qatar reserves the right to respond directly and proportionately, in full compliance with international law.” He promised a detailed Defense Ministry report on the “circumstances and counter-measures” to follow shortly.

The attack prompted swift regional reaction. The United Arab Emirates closed its airspace along key transit corridors, while Oman issued navigational warnings for commercial carriers. The U.S. Embassy in Doha urged citizens to shelter in place and remain alert for further instructions.

In Washington, President Donald Trump convened his National Security Council in the White House Situation Room, monitoring live feeds of Pentagon assessments. Pentagon officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that U.S. assets near Al Udeid remain on high readiness, and that the incoming missiles posed “no direct threat” after being neutralized by Qatar’s defenses.

Qatar’s condemnation underscores its delicate balancing act: hosting critical U.S. military infrastructure while maintaining diplomatic ties with Tehran. Doha has long served as mediator in regional crises—from Afghan peace talks to recent truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas—and now calls for renewed dialogue.

“Escalation begets escalation,” Al Ansari warned. “Only through earnest negotiations—without preconditions—can we avert a wider conflict that threatens civilian lives and the stability of the entire Gulf.” His remarks echoed Doha’s June 22 initiative to convene a GCC foreign ministers’ meeting in the coming days.

Analysts caution that further strikes could fracture GCC unity and draw in extra-regional powers. Russia and China, both critical of U.S. strikes on Iran, have signaled their readiness to support diplomatic solutions through the UN Security Council, where draft resolutions condemning the attacks remain under discussion.

As tensions mount, the prospect of miscalculation grows. Military observers note that both sides possess long-range precision munitions capable of striking deep into adversary territory, increasing the risk of accidental escalation.

Qatar concluded its statement by renewing its “urgent appeal to all parties to cease military actions immediately” and to “return to the negotiating table,” emphasizing that its own security—like that of the wider region—depends on restraint, dialogue, and respect for sovereign borders.

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