Iran launched multiple missiles against American military bases in the Middle East on Monday in retaliation for the U.S. strike on its nuclear facilities this weekend, according to one Israeli official and one Arab official.
Six missiles were launched toward Qatar, the two officials said. One missile was launched toward Iraq, according to the Israeli offiical.
What they’re saying: “The White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” a senior White House official told Axios.
Why it matters: The scope of the Iranian retaliation — particularly the number of casualties — will determine how President Trump responds, and whether the U.S. plunges deeper into Israel’s war with Iran.
Trump was scheduled to meet with his national security team at 1 p.m. ET at the White House to discuss the threat.
The president has warned that any retaliation “will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed” during the U.S. military attack against three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.
Driving the news: Explosions were heard over Qatar’s capital city of Doha on Monday night local time, according to Reuters.
The Israeli official told Axios that Iran also launched missiles toward a U.S. base in Iraq.
State of play: On Monday evening local time, Qatar announced it was temporarily closing its airspace due to rising regional tensions. The Qatari foreign ministry said the closure is part of a broader set of precautionary measures.
Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the biggest U.S. military installation in the region. In recent weeks, many of the base’s aircraft and personnel have been evacuated.
The U.S., U.K., and China issued warnings on Monday advising their nationals in Qatar to shelter in place as a precaution.
Driving the news: An Iranian military spokesman said in a video statement on Monday that “heavy consequences are expected” for the U.S. strikes on the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites this weekend.
The spokesman said that the U.S. decision to enter the war “expands the scope of legitimate targets” for Iran’s armed forces.
“Mr. Trump, the gambler: You may have started this war, but we will be the ones to end it,” the Iranian military spokesman said.
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