Iran has carried out missile attacks against U.S. military installations throughout Qatar and Iraq. This attack is a retaliatory response specifically directed at bombings conducted by U.S. forces of major Iranian nuclear facilities over the past weekend. According to new U.S. intelligence reports, Iran managed to move no nuclear material out of its Fordo facility prior to the strikes. This shocking revelation should ring alarm bells around the world about the nuclear situation in the region.
The Iranian armed forces publicly claimed responsibility for the missile attacks, promoting the operation through state media as a “powerful and destructive missile strike” against the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses approximately 10,000 troops. The campaign is named Basharat al-Fath, or “Glad Tidings of Victory.” This term, “Operation Khyber Thunder,” underscores Iran’s need to show the world that these strikes were an earth-shattering victory.
The attack on Al Udeid air base was a similar style missile strike and resulted in no reported casualties or injuries. It had acute consequences for air service in the area. Immediately after the Iranian missile attacks, Bahrain was the first to ground all air traffic. Simultaneously, commercial flights were severely disrupted as the United Arab Emirates closed its airspace to commercial aviation. Consequently, in the last month, at least six commercial aircraft had to turn around as they neared the airspace of the UAE. EgyptAir announced the cancellation of all flights to and from cities in the Persian Gulf “until the situation stabilizes in the region.” This was particularly alarming because just before Iran launched its missiles, Qatar had closed its airspace to commercial flights.
In reaction to these changes, a number of large international carriers cut back their flights. They reverted to a limited operation through regional gateways such as Doha, Qatar and Dubai in the UAE. Despite those tensions, stock indexes remained largely unshaken. Investors shrugged off the missile fire, viewing it as Tehran’s limited retaliation for U.S. bombings targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. In the wake of the first U.S. attacks on Iran, oil prices saw an increase, then a return to lower prices after Iran’s retaliation.
Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, condemned the missile strikes, labeling them “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law and the United Nations Charter.” He sought to reassure that Qatar’s air defenses were able to respond to the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles.
“We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack,” – Majed Al Ansari
Al Ansari emphasized the precarious situation in the region, stating, “given the tensions in the region,” while affirming Qatar’s right to respond appropriately.
“We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law,” – Majed Al Ansari
In a climate of heightened distrust between Iran and the United States, uncertainty about the prospect for regional stability is intense. The recent military actions have captured the world’s attention and raised questions about an escalated showdown.