June 23, 2025 – Middle East Desk
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iran has launched a missile offensive targeting United States military installations in both Qatar and Iraq. The Iranian state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency confirmed early Monday that the attack marks the beginning of a military operation dubbed “Annunciation of Victory.” This move, described by Iranian officials as a direct response to recent U.S. military activities in the region, has already triggered global concern over the possibility of a broader conflict.
Operation “Annunciation of Victory”
Tasnim News Agency, a semi-official media outlet closely aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the operation was initiated simultaneously in multiple locations, aiming to strike key U.S. assets. The operation’s name — “Annunciation of Victory” — suggests a symbolic and ideological campaign intended to galvanize support domestically while sending a clear message to Washington and its allies.
Details about the scale, type of missiles used, and specific targets hit remain limited as Iranian media maintained a tight hold on operational disclosures. However, initial reports suggest that ballistic and cruise missiles were launched from Iranian territory toward U.S. bases in Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq — two critical hubs for U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
According to eyewitness accounts in both countries, sirens were heard blaring around midnight, followed by loud explosions. Videos circulated on social media purportedly show missiles streaking across the night sky and plumes of smoke rising from the vicinity of impacted areas. These reports remain unverified, and both U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Department of Defense have yet to release an official statement confirming the extent of damage or casualties.
Iran’s Motivation: Retaliation or Deterrence?
This latest act of aggression follows months of mounting tension between Tehran and Washington, fueled by renewed sanctions, regional proxy confrontations, and repeated accusations of espionage, sabotage, and military provocations.
Iranian political and military leaders have long warned of consequences should their sovereignty or regional influence be challenged. In recent weeks, Tehran has repeatedly accused the U.S. of bolstering military activities in the Persian Gulf, using Qatar and Iraq as staging grounds for covert operations against Iran’s strategic interests.
In a televised statement just hours before the missile launch, Major General Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force — the IRGC’s elite external operations unit — stated, “The Islamic Republic will not stand idle while foreign forces threaten our region. This is not just retaliation; it is a declaration that our sovereignty will not be undermined.”
Some analysts believe that the attack was premeditated and politically timed, possibly aimed at asserting Iran’s position ahead of upcoming nuclear talks and reinforcing hardliner influence within Iran’s power structure.
Regional Reaction and Military Readiness
The governments of Qatar and Iraq have not yet issued detailed responses but have reportedly placed their armed forces on high alert. In Doha, security forces have cordoned off areas near Al-Udeid Air Base, while in Baghdad, Iraqi security services are coordinating with U.S. counterparts to assess the situation around Ain al-Asad and other nearby facilities.
Unconfirmed reports from Iraqi defense sources suggest that some of the missiles were intercepted mid-air, while others caused material damage, though casualty reports are still being compiled. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Defense Ministry has refrained from making public statements, likely consulting with Washington before any formal acknowledgment.
The missile strikes come at a precarious moment for Iraq, which has been struggling to maintain neutrality amid competing pressures from Iran-backed militias and the continued presence of U.S. troops. For Qatar — a longtime U.S. ally that hosts the largest American airbase in the region — the attack represents a direct threat to its own national security and regional stability.
International Condemnation and Global Concern
The international community has reacted swiftly to the unfolding events. The United Nations Security Council has called for an emergency session to address the situation. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack, calling it “a dangerous escalation that threatens regional peace.”
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, all parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, urged “maximum restraint” on both sides, warning that further military action could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts to re-engage Tehran in nuclear negotiations. China and Russia, meanwhile, have called for dialogue but stopped short of condemning Iran outright.
In Washington, President Joe Biden was briefed by the National Security Council late Sunday evening. While the White House has not yet issued a comprehensive statement, a senior official told reporters under condition of anonymity that “all options are on the table,” signaling that a retaliatory military response is being actively considered.
U.S. Military Response on Standby
According to U.S. defense officials, aircraft carriers stationed in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea have been placed on high readiness alert, and air defense systems across American installations in the region have been activated. Drone surveillance and early-warning radar systems are being intensified to monitor further launches.
The U.S. has around 10,000 troops stationed in Qatar, with Al-Udeid Air Base serving as the forward headquarters of CENTCOM. In Iraq, around 2,500 American personnel remain, primarily focused on anti-ISIS operations and advisory missions, although their presence has been increasingly controversial among Iraqi political factions aligned with Iran.
The Pentagon’s next move will be critical in shaping the course of the conflict. Military analysts warn that a large-scale retaliation could lead to all-out war, drawing in regional powers such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — all of which have voiced alarm over Iran’s aggressive posture.
The Road Ahead: Uncertain and Dangerous
While some experts argue that the missile strikes are intended as a show of force rather than a call for open war, the scale and coordination of the attacks suggest that Iran is prepared to escalate further if challenged. The Iranian leadership, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may be banking on calculated aggression to strengthen domestic support, especially amid economic hardship and political unrest.
Others worry that miscalculations on either side could trigger a spiral of violence, especially with so many flashpoints already active across the region — from Yemen and Syria to the maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, the world watches as one of the most volatile regions inches closer to a potential military confrontation that could reshape the geopolitical landscape for years to come. What began as another sharp exchange of words and warnings has now entered a dangerous new phase: missiles launched, bases targeted, and the threat of war no longer hypothetical.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/