Just 36 hours after the U.S. bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities, Tehran responded — not by striking Israel directly, but by firing six missiles at the U.S. military base in Doha, Qatar. The attack sent shockwaves across the Gulf, forcing Qatar to shut down its airspace. While Iran claimed it was a direct retaliation against the U.S., a key question emerged: why did Iran hit Qatar instead of America or Israel?
Why Did Iran Target Qatar?
1. Proximity and Accessibility
Qatar shares a direct border via the Persian Gulf, making it a convenient and accessible target for Iranian missiles without needing to cross any third-party airspace.
2. U.S. Military Nerve Center
Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base — the largest American military base in the Middle East. This base has been instrumental in past U.S. operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
3. CENTCOM’s Forward HQ
Al Udeid is also home to the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) forward headquarters. The region houses around 50,000 U.S. troops, with nearly 10,000 stationed in Qatar alone — the highest among Gulf countries.
4. Qatar’s Neutral Stance Sparked Suspicion
While countries like Turkey and Pakistan strongly condemned the U.S. attacks on Iran, Qatar issued a neutral, watered-down statement. That move reportedly put it on Iran’s radar as a silent enabler.
5. Iran’s Calculated Message to America
By hitting America’s most critical military outpost in the Gulf, Iran sent a loud and clear message: retaliation won’t necessarily come directly — it will hit where it hurts most strategically.
Did Russia Greenlight Iran’s Move?
Following the U.S. airstrikes on June 22, Iran remained silent. But behind the scenes, things moved fast. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi flew to Moscow and held an urgent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After the meeting, the Kremlin issued a strongly worded condemnation of the U.S. strikes. Intelligence sources believe that following this diplomatic backing, Iran launched its missile attack on Qatar — essentially with a “booster” from Russia.
Read More: Iran’s Nuclear Sites Targeted: What Is Uranium Enrichment and Why Does It Matter?
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