On June 23, 2025, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported the start of a military operation against the U.S. Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, where about 10 U.S. troops are stationed. According to the agency, the attack was a response to the U.S. strikes on June 22 on Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, as well as Israeli attacks on six Iranian military airfields on June 23. Residents of the Qatari capital Doha reported the sounds of explosions and bright flashes in the sky, and videos appeared on social media that allegedly showed Qatar's air defense systems in action.

According to a report by Axios, citing an Israeli official, Iran launched six ballistic missiles at the Al Udeid air base, confirming an earlier warning by Fox News of an “imminent” strike. Reuters clarified that the blasts over Doha were accompanied by strong tremors that “shaked buildings” in the north of the city, indicating that air defenses were actively used to intercept the missiles. There has been no official confirmation of casualties or damage from the US or Qatar, but according to Al Jazeera, Qatar has closed its airspace until June 26, and airlines are adjusting routes to avoid the region.

Iran's Tasnim news agency published an infographic showing the range of Tehran's missiles, including the Kheibar and Fateh ballistic missiles, which can hit targets up to 2000 km away, covering US bases in Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE. IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said the attack on Al Udeid was part of a "multi-pronged response" to US and Israeli aggression, and warned of a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which up to 20% of the world's oil passes.

The conflict is rapidly escalating. On the morning of June 23, a U.S. base in Syria’s Hasakah province was hit by mortar fire, allegedly carried out by Iranian proxy groups, and air raid sirens were sounded in Manama, Bahrain, and other Gulf states. The New York Times reports that U.S. intelligence has detected Iran preparing to strike bases in Iraq, including Ain al-Asad and Erbil, which is supported by reports of Iranian missiles approaching those sites.