Iran’s navy on Monday launched a “devastating and powerful” missile strike on the U.S. Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, following via on its menace to retaliate for current American airstrikes as explosions echoed throughout Doha.
Qatar’s protection minister, quoted by Al Jazeera TV, stated its air defenses had intercepted missiles directed on the Al Udeid airbase, the most important U.S. navy set up within the Middle East, located throughout the Gulf from Iran.
Qatari authorities stated there have been no casualties within the assault, which Doha condemned and stated it reserved the best to reply.
The assault got here shortly after a Western diplomat advised Reuters there had been a reputable menace to a U.S. navy base within the Gulf state following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
In addition, the U.S. Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq had activated its air protection system out of concern of a possible assault, navy sources advised Reuters.
The White House and the Defense Department are carefully monitoring potential threats to the Al Udeid airbase, a senior White House official stated in Washington on Monday.
Shortly earlier than, Qatar, a small, rich Gulf Arab state, introduced it had closed its airspace briefly to make sure the security of residents and guests.
That adopted an advisory from the U.S. embassy in Qatar to Americans to shelter in place, out of what it stated was “an abundance of caution.”
Two U.S. officers stated Washington had assessed that Iran might perform assaults focusing on American forces within the Middle East quickly, though the U.S. was nonetheless looking for a diplomatic decision that will see Tehran forgo any reprisal.
Earlier Monday, Israel bombed a jail for political prisoners in Tehran in a potent demonstration that it was increasing its targets past navy and nuclear websites to goal squarely on the pillars of Iran’s ruling system.
Despite Iran’s threats to problem oil shipments from the Gulf, oil costs largely held regular, suggesting merchants doubted the Islamic Republic would observe via on any motion that will disrupt world provides.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Tehran sought backing from one among its final main energy buddies for its subsequent steps.
Source: www.dailysabah.com