On June 23, 2025, missiles strike Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East. Missiles launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in direct retaliation against the strikes by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan a day earlier as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. apnews.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14en.wikipedia.org+14.
Objective and Code‑Name of the Operation
The strike, called Operation Annunciation (or Glad Tidings) of Victory by Iran, was meant “powerful and devastating” symbolic retaliation. The IRGC said it sent a firm message that Tehran would not tolerate any aggression against its sovereignty. aljazeera.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
Incident Overview: Summary of Events
- Between 19:30 and 19:40 AST, multiple short- and medium-range missiles were launched toward Al Udeid. Reports vary on the outcome.
- Qatar indicated that its air defenses intercepted between 7 and 19 missiles, with only one possibly reaching the base, and no injuries were reported en.wikipedia.org+3aljazeera.com+3nypost.com+3.
- U.S. Central Command confirmed the event, highlighting the effective response from both U.S. and Qatari defense systems, with no injuries or damage reported.axios.com+9cbsnews.com+9economictimes.indiatimes.com+9.
Safety Measures and Airspace Adjustments
Prior to the missile launch, communication occurred between Iran and officials in Qatar and the U.S. to minimize risks. In response, Qatar closed its airspace and evacuated certain areas of the base. Neighboring countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, also temporarily restricted their airspace, leading to significant flight reroutes thetimes.co.uk+3en.wikipedia.org+3en.wikipedia.org+3.
Reactions from the Region
- Qatar͏ condemned the attack a violation of its sovereignty, though it acknowledged the advance warning. It retained the right to respond.reuters.com+9aljazeera.com+9nypost.com+9.
- More importantly, other Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia also denounced the strike as breaching international law.
U.S. and Trump’s Response
- Ex-President Trump said 14 missiles were fired; 13 were taken out and the last one had no threat. He called the action a “very weak retaliation,” saying Iran had “gotten it out of their system” and thanked them for giving “early notice.”thetimes.co.uk+3cbsnews.com+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3.
- Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire shortly thereafter, supposedly facilitated by Trump and Qatar. But Iranian officials said no formal truce had been reached. thetimes.co.uk+1washingtonpost.com+1.
Regional Turmoil and Flying Problems
This set off massive shut downs of the sky routes which led to huge messes:
- More than 160 trips had to change their path, with Qantas planes going around for 15 hours businessinsider.com+1aljazeera.com+1.
- Big airlines—Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air India—had to deal with lots of changes in paths or stops of their plans. businessinsider.com.
What Happened Next and the Big Effects
- Iran struck back in a measured way—measured to retaliate without turning into full-scale war, timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5washingtonpost.com+5nypost.com+5.
- Both U.S. and Iranian forces are now on high alert across the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Syria,reuters.com+1businessinsider.com+1.
- This attack is another flashpoint added to the wider Iran–Israel conflict alongside rising U.S.–Iran tensions.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| When | June 23, 2025, ~19:30–19:40 AST |
| Where | Al Udeid Air Base, near Doha |
| What | Multiple ballistic missiles launched |
| Defenses | Qatar/U.S. Patriot systems intercepted most |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Purpose | Symbolic retaliation for U.S. strike on nuclear sites |
| Regional fallout | Airspace closures, flight disruptions, heightened military alert |
