Iran Fires Missiles at Qatar — Strikes Nation Hosting Largest US Air Base in the Middle East

Iran hit Qatar's capital city Thursday morning. A wave of missile explosions was heard across Doha. The Qatari government confirmed that Iran fired a barrage of missiles at the city. The targets and the damage are not fully known yet.

This is a major escalation. Qatar has one of the most important US military bases in the world on its soil. That base — Al Udeid — is used to fly planes that have been bombing Iran every day since the war started on February 28.

Why Did Iran Strike Qatar?

Hours before the missiles hit, Qatar arrested members of an IRGC cell. The IRGC is Iran's most powerful military force — the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Qatar said the cell was operating on Qatari soil and planning attacks.

Analysts say the missile strike appears to be Iran's direct response to those arrests. Qatar and Iran have long had a complicated relationship. Qatar hosts the US military but has also served as a go-between and communicator for Iran in the region for years. Analysts told Al Jazeera these arrests "will cause a deep rift" between the two countries.

Iran has not officially claimed the missile attack as of this report. But Al Jazeera confirmed that Qatar's government acknowledged the Iranian barrage.

What Is at Stake in Qatar

Al Udeid Air Base sits southwest of Doha. It is the largest US air base in the entire Middle East. About 10,000 US military personnel are stationed there. US warplanes flying from Al Udeid have taken part in the bombing campaign against Iran. The base also serves as the headquarters of US Central Command's forward operations in the region.

Iran striking Qatar is the same as Iran striking the US's main regional command center.

The EU said Thursday that its leaders are expressing "solidarity with Gulf countries amid Iranian attacks." That statement suggests the Qatar strike is being seen internationally as a serious act of aggression against a US partner.

Trump: "I Want to Pick Iran's Next Leader"

Also Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he wants to be "involved in the appointment" of Iran's next supreme leader.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Saturday, the first day of the war. Iran has not yet chosen a replacement.

Trump told Axios: "Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran." Trump compared his goal to what he did in Venezuela, where his forces removed President Nicolas Maduro and helped install a replacement.

Iran's senior official Ali Larijani fired back Thursday. He said Iran is "ready to disgrace" US troops if they invade. "The valiant sons of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei are waiting for you," Larijani said. Iran's foreign minister also responded: "No, we are waiting for them," he told NBC News, calling a US ground invasion a "big disaster" for American troops.

Other Developments

Beirut, Lebanon: Israel warned residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate. Residents were seen fleeing the area Thursday. Israel has been conducting separate strikes on Lebanon throughout the war.

Azerbaijan airport: Eyewitness videos showed explosions at an airport in Nakhchivan — a part of Azerbaijan that is physically separated from the rest of the country. The Azerbaijani president demanded an apology from Iran, saying Iranian drones were responsible. Iran denied it.

Gulf oil prices: The strikes on Qatar and across the Gulf are affecting energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz — through which about 20% of the world's oil passes — remains disrupted. Western oil exporters are being watched as possible beneficiaries of the chaos.

By the Numbers — Day 6

• 🚀 Iran hits Qatar — Doha struck by missile barrage; Qatar government confirms
• 🕵️ IRGC spy cell arrested in Qatar before missile strike
• 💀 1,045+ killed in Iran since Feb. 28
• 🇺🇸 Trump: wants to choose Iran's next supreme leader
• 🇮🇷 Iran: "We are waiting for" US troops to invade
• 🇱🇧 Israel warns Beirut southern suburbs to evacuate
• 🇦🇿 Iranian drones suspected at Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan airport — Iran denies