On June 23, Iran initiated an attack on the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as confirmed by Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Qatar’s foreign affairs spokesperson.
The air base is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, and al-Ansari stated that the attack resulted in no casualties.
In a post on X, he emphasized that Qatar has the right to respond directly but proportionately to such aggression, stating, “the continuation of such escalating military actions will undermine security and stability in the region and drag it into situations that will have disastrous repercussions for international peace and security.”
The offensive, named Operation Besharat al-Fath, followed significant military preparations by the United States in response to a heightened threat from Iran.
This situation escalated after attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites on June 21, which led to heightened security measures at Al Udeid Air Base, according to informants speaking with FOX News.
Sources indicated that much of the military’s un-hangered aircraft were relocated ahead of anticipated airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump, as fears of a potential Iranian retaliation using short or medium-range cruise missiles or swarming drones loomed.
The Department of Homeland Security advised vigilance against possible attacks from Iran over the next three months, referencing Operation Midnight Hammer, an operation that intensified regional tensions.
Secretary Kristi Noem remarked, “It is our duty to keep the nation safe and informed, especially during times of conflict,” highlighting concerns over the increased risks to U.S. homeland security stemming from the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, including potential cyberattacks and incidents of violence.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed vehement disapproval of the U.S. attacks, stating that significant strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites would have “everlasting consequences.”
On his X account, Araghchi asserted that the United States had violated international law and the UN Charter, calling the military action “extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior.”
He reiterated that Iran reserves all rights to defend its sovereignty, interests, and population, invoking provisions of the UN Charter that allow for legitimate self-defense.
Operation Midnight Hammer was executed with tremendous force, utilizing an unprecedented deployment of B-2 stealth bombers.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that the operation included the surge of 14 massive bunker busters in the largest flight of B-2 bombers in history.
Additionally, U.S. submarines in the Central Command Area of Responsibility launched over 24 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles targeting crucial surface infrastructure in Isfahan as the strike package approached Iranian airspace.
Caine noted a lack of immediate defensive measures from Iran during the mission, stating, “we retained the element of surprise” throughout the operation, employing around 75 precision-guided weapons.
Despite the intensity of the strikes, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured that these actions would not lead to an open-ended conflict.
He clarified, “As the president has directed, made clear, this is most certainly not open-ended. It doesn’t mean it limits our ability to respond. We will respond if necessary.”
Hegseth emphasized that President Trump is committed to maintaining peace and has been consistent in delivering precise messaging to the Iranian regime regarding the steps necessary for achieving stability.
“What the President gave us, as I said, was a focused, powerful and clear mission on the destruction of Iranian nuclear capabilities,” he continued, maintaining that the operation’s targets were specific and strategic.
“There needs to be a negotiated settlement here,” he asserted, highlighting the importance of dialogue amidst escalating tensions.
The current situation remains precarious, as the United States and Iran navigate a landscape fraught with potential military confrontation yet also filled with opportunities for diplomatic resolution.
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