On Monday, President Donald Trump revealed that the Iranian government provided “early notice” regarding a missile strike that targeted the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This announcement coincided with Trump downplaying the effectiveness of Iran’s response to recent U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, labeling the retaliation as “very weak.”
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump expressed gratitude to Iran for the advance warning, which he stated helped avert casualties during the missile strikes. He did not disclose specifics on the timing or method of the warning but suggested that it was indicative of Iran’s strategy to minimize escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Shortly after the missile strikes, President Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, effective at midnight ET. This development came less than two weeks after Israel initiated strikes on Iranian targets in response to the military tension in the region. However, neither Israel nor Iran has publicly confirmed the ceasefire.
According to diplomatic sources, the Iranian counterattack was considered both expected and controlled. Meetings between U.S. and Qatari officials were reportedly held over the weekend to devise a response plan.
This pattern of providing advance notice mirrors a previous incident in January 2020, when Iran launched strikes on a U.S. military base in Iraq following the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leader Qassem Soleimani. At that time, Iraq’s prime minister stated that Iran had informed him of the impending strikes, which ultimately did not result in American fatalities, although over 100 U.S. personnel suffered traumatic brain injuries.
In his comments regarding the recent missile strikes, President Trump maintained that the damage inflicted was minimal, noting that most missiles targeting the Al Udeid base were intercepted. He reiterated that there were no casualties among American or Qatari personnel stationed there.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also reported that no individuals were harmed during the missile strikes, sharing this information in a post on X along with an illustration depicting the attack on an American military base.
The geopolitical tension escalated following Trump’s order to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. This military action was part of a broader Israeli offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear capabilities. Prior to these U.S. airstrikes, Iran had cautioned that American involvement in Israel’s military operations could spiral into “all-out war.” CBS News indicated that Iran was prepared to retaliate against U.S. military bases in the region if attacked.
After the missile incidents, President Trump issued a stern warning on Saturday regarding potential Iranian retaliation, stating it would be met with “force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
However, following this period of tension, Trump refrained from suggesting any further military actions. On his Truth Social platform, he expressed optimism that Iran had expressed its grievances and hoped for a cessation of hostilities, remarking that it was “TIME FOR PEACE.”
Additionally, he urged both Iran and Israel to strive for “Peace and Harmony,” alluding to his administration’s previous initiatives aimed at limiting the scope of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In concluding his message, President Trump proclaimed, “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!”
image source from：cbsnews
