By M10News International Desk
© M10News 2025 – All Rights Reserved
U.S. President Donald Trump has downplayed Iran’s missile strike on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, describing the attack as a “very weak response” and thanking Tehran for what he called “early notice” that helped avoid casualties.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran launched 14 missiles at the American base, but 13 were intercepted by air defences while the remaining one posed no threat.
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” Trump wrote, adding, “Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system’, and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.”
The former president went on to suggest that Iran may now “proceed to Peace and Harmony,” and indicated he would also urge Israel to adopt a similar path following a series of volatile exchanges in the region.
Rising Tensions Across Gulf States
The missile salvo came in the wake of U.S.-led airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which were carried out using bunker-busting munitions. Those strikes marked a dramatic escalation of American involvement in Israel’s ongoing confrontation with Tehran.
Iran’s military labelled the retaliatory strike on the U.S. base in Qatar as “devastating and powerful.”
However, Qatar’s Defence Ministry stated that its air defence systems successfully intercepted the missiles and confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities.
Videos widely circulated online showed civilians in Doha fleeing for cover as explosions rang out overhead. In response, Qatari authorities temporarily closed the country’s airspace as a safety precaution.
A statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry emphasised the country’s right to respond while reiterating its commitment to public safety. “As part of the State of Qatar’s commitment to the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the relevant authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace,” the ministry said.
Heightened Global Security Alerts
The UK and U.S. governments issued warnings urging their nationals in Qatar to shelter in place, citing potential threats related to the unfolding conflict. The U.S. Embassy in Doha reiterated its guidance “out of an abundance of caution” but declined to provide further details.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) echoed the advisory, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy telling Parliament that guidance for British nationals “may need to be updated over the coming days” given the rapidly evolving situation.
Dr. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari government, pushed back on the alerts, saying they did not reflect any concrete threats on the ground. “The security situation in the country is stable, and the competent authorities are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure safety,” he said.
Regional Implications and Diplomatic Balancing
The missile exchange highlights the mounting volatility in the Gulf, where Qatar remains diplomatically engaged with both Western powers and Iran. The Gulf state shares a significant offshore natural gas field with Iran and hosts the Al Udeid Air Base—the largest American military installation in the Middle East and the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command.
Kuwait and Bahrain also announced temporary airspace closures in response to the growing threat environment, underscoring regional unease following the strikes.
In the U.S., the State Department issued a worldwide travel caution, warning that the conflict between Israel and Iran may trigger unrest or demonstrations targeting American citizens abroad.
As of now, no official retaliation has been announced by the U.S. military, and diplomatic efforts are ongoing behind closed doors to prevent a wider regional conflagration.
Editing by M10News International Team | Contact: info@m10news.com
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