President Donald Trump confirmed Monday the Iranian missile attack on U.S. forces stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar did not cause any casualties or damage.
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
Trump said Iran fired 14 missiles at the U.S. military base, with 13 shot down and one “set free” because it did not pose a threat. The Qataris later announced that Iran launched 19 missiles at the military facility and one hit but did not cause any casualties.
In a follow up post, Trump reiterated his call for peace now that Iran has responded to U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend.
Iranian officials announced the attack on state television as martial music played. An on-screen caption called the attack a “mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”
Qatar Foreign Minister spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Qatar’s air defenses “successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles.” The foreign ministry spokesman also said the base had been evacuated earlier, “following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region.”
Qatar said it would push for diplomatic efforts for “a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.”
“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,” he added.
Iran said its missile barrage on Qatar involved the same number of bombs used by U.S. on Iranian nuclear sites. It also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.
“The base targeted by Iran’s powerful forces was also a significant distance from urban facilities and residential areas in Qatar,” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement.
“This action posed no danger to our friendly and brotherly nation of Qatar and its honorable people,” it added. “The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to preserving and continuing its warm and historic relations with Qatar.”
The attack comes after the U.S. Embassy in Qatar told Americans to shelter in place until further notice. Qatar also temporarily closed its airspace after the U.S. attacks on Iran over the weekend.
“The competent Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace, in order to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
The statement said it would “not hesitate to take all necessary preventive measures within this context.”
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said over the weekend that U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were successful and resulted in “severe damage and destruction,” but said it’s “way too early” to determine whether Iran retains some nuclear capability.
Trump, for his part, said Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities were “completely and totally obliterated” by the strikes.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said. “If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which followed similar strikes by Israel, are not a prelude to a broader regime-change campaign.
“This mission was not and is not about regime change,” Hegseth said, pointing out that the operation was intentionally “limited in scope” and did not involve the targeting of any Iranian people.