TENSIONS SOAR AS IRAN LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACK ON U.S. AIR BASE IN QATAR

Flares lit up the night sky over Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Monday as explosions echoed across the city following a reported missile attack by Iran. According to Iranian state media, the strike targeted U.S. forces stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base — the largest American military installation in the Middle East.

The attack comes on the heels of rising tensions in the region after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this week. In anticipation of potential retaliation, Qatari authorities had proactively closed the country’s airspace, grounding flights and issuing security alerts to residents and foreign missions.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing defensive flares and hearing loud booms in the sky, suggesting that missile defense systems had been activated in response to the incoming threat. While damage assessments remain unclear, initial reports indicate that U.S. and Qatari military units were on high alert and managed to intercept some of the projectiles.

Iran’s leadership has vowed further responses unless what it calls “acts of aggression” against its sovereignty cease. The Pentagon has not yet issued an official statement, but regional allies have begun emergency consultations as fears of a broader conflict grow.

The latest development marks a dangerous escalation in the already volatile Gulf region, raising fresh concerns about the safety of U.S. personnel, regional stability, and the global energy supply chain. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway to de-escalate the crisis.