Iran said it launched a military attack on an American base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, according to a statement by the country’s armed forces.
A senior White House official earlier confirmed that the United States was aware of a potential attack by Iran against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. An Israeli official also said Iran was poised to strike the base.
Iran’s Armed Forces said in a statement that Iran “targeted the Al Udeid base in Qatar with destructive and forceful missiles.”
A series of loud booms were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Lights were visible streaking upward, apparently part of a missile defense system, and some objects could be seen falling to earth.
Iran’s armed forces issued a statement saying they have launched a military attack on U.S. base in Qatar, according to state television and state news agency.
Al Udeid Air Base is heavily fortified by an array of air defenses that have been on high alert in recent days anticipating an Iranian retaliatory attack.
The main U.S. base in Qatar, Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of U.S. Central command, has 10,000 military and civilian personnel.
Earlier the British government warned its citizens living in Qatar to shelter in place until further notice following Qatar’s decision to close its airspace amid potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American base in the Middle East.
The British notice, posted on the government’s website, says: “Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. Follow instructions from local authorities.”
