Iran, on Monday (June 23) night, launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at the largest military base of the United States (US) in West Asia. The facility, housed in Qatar, came under attack in retaliation to Washington’s strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
From reactions of regional players to oil price movements and the scene in the White House, here’s all you need to know in the aftermath of attack.
How many missiles did Iran fire?
The exact number was not disclosed. However, Iran’s National Security Council said that the number of missiles used “was the same as the number of bombs that the US had used in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities”.
That statement seems to point to more symbolic meaning to the retaliation than intention to destroy US bases.
Did Iranian attacks damage US bases?
No. Qatar has confirmed that it intercepted all the short-range and long-range ballistic missiles launched by Iran towards the Al Udeid Air Base. “The incident did not result in any deaths or injuries,” the country’s Defence Ministry said.
The US has also confirmed that there have been no American casualties as a result of the attack.
Although media reports have mentioned attacks on US bases in Iraq as well, information on the aftermath is not available yet.
Does this mean Iraq and Qatar are locked in conflict too?
Iran has clearly shown that it seeks to maintain good relations with Qatar. Following the attacks, Iran’s National Security Council claimed that the attack on US base does not pose any threat to “our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar.”
However, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari called Tehran’s actions “blatant aggression”. He further stated that Doha “reserved the right to respond” to it.
Given the limited damage and the dangers of any further escalation, it is unlikely that Qatar will retaliate against Iran.
How have other West Asian countries reacted?
Saudi Arabia lambasted Iran for its “unjustifiable” attack on a US base in Qatar on Monday, offering to deploy “all its capabilities” to support Doha, with whom it has had fraught relations in the past.
The UAE “condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s targeting of Al Udeid Air Base in the sisterly State of Qatar, considering it a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace,” Abu Dhabi’s foreign ministry said in a statement carried by official news agency WAM.
ahrain suspended air traffic temporarily as a precautionary measure. Kuwait, too, said it was closing its airspace until further notice.
Israeli military called Iran a threat ‘to whole world’ after Qatar attack.
What is the Trump administration doing about the attack?
Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Caine and Secretary Hegseth are in the Situation Room right now monitoring potential Iranian retaliation, per a senior White House official, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins posted on social media.
She said that the US was now tracking multiple missiles fired from Iran toward US military installations in Qatar and Iraq.
What happened to oil prices?
Immediately after Iran’s attack was launched, the price of crude oil dropped over 6%. Around 12:45 am IST on Tuesday (June 24), futures for West Texas Intermediate had fallen 6.5% to $69.96 a barrel, while Brent oil futures dropped 6.4% to $72.07 a barrel.