US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran had given advance notice before launching a missile attack on the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which allowed American forces to avoid casualties.
He described Iran’s response to the strikes on its nuclear facilities as “very weak” and expressed hope for de-escalation in the region.
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.”
According to Trump, a total of 14 missiles were fired by Iran, with 13 intercepted and one “set free” because it was heading in a non-threatening direction.
The US Al Udeid base, the largest American military installation in the Middle East, was the target of the missile barrage after Tehran vowed retaliation for the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump emphasised that not only were no American casualties reported, but “very importantly,” there were also no Qatari casualties.
He thanked Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for his efforts in maintaining regional stability. “I thank the highly respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking peace for the region,” Trump said.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” he added.
Iran’s military said it carried out a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar on Monday after explosions were heard across Doha following Tehran’s threat to retaliate for US airstrikes on its nuclear sites.
The Iranian military said the attack was “devastating and powerful” but US officials said no US personnel were killed or injured in the attack on the airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
Iran will continue its retaliation in response to US attacks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters. He added that Iran possesses the necessary rationality to pursue diplomacy—but only after punishing the aggressor. “If the United States seeks negotiations, Israeli and US attacks must stop,” he said.
Read: Iran retaliates with missile strikes on US base in Qatar after nuclear raids
However, Qatar said that the security situation was “stable”. “The Ministry of Interior confirms… that the security situation in the country is stable, and there is no cause for concern,” the government said in a statement.
Iran had issued threats to retaliate after US bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear sites at the weekend, joining Israel’s air war against Tehran, and President Donald Trump mooted the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled.
