Kathmandu – Al Udeid Air Base, located near Doha, Qatar, stands as the central hub for U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) air operations in the Middle East. Home to approximately 8,000 U.S. troops, the base recently came under Iranian missile attack following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Satellite imagery taken before the Iranian strike shows precautionary measures had been taken — with dozens of aircraft removed from the runway in anticipation of possible retaliation. BBC North America editor Sarah Smith confirmed that the Iranian attack was not entirely unexpected; following the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, U.S. forces were on high alert across the region.
Al Udeid also serves as a logistics and command center for U.S. military operations in Iraq and houses the longest military runway in the Gulf. The base, also known as Abu Nakhlah Airfield, is occasionally used by British forces and was officially handed over to full U.S. control in 2001 after Qatar granted access in 2000. A formal agreement recognizing the U.S. presence was signed in December 2002.
Reports from intelligence firm Grey Dynamics and various media outlets in 2024 indicated that the U.S. and Qatar agreed to extend the military presence for another ten years.
When news of the Iranian missile launch broke, U.S. President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reportedly gathered in the White House Situation Room. President Trump had visited the base earlier in May 2025 and addressed troops, stating, “My goal as President is to end wars, not start them. But I will never hesitate to use force to defend America and our allies.”
Following the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump warned of a “full-force response” to any Iranian retaliation. While a response from the U.S. was anticipated, within hours of the Iranian missile strike on Al Udeid, Trump instead announced a proposed ceasefire.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, however, issued a statement claiming that the air base had been “crippled,” though it also clarified that there was “no threat posed to Qatar or its people.” According to Iranian state media, the number of missiles fired matched the number of bombs dropped by U.S. forces on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack. Spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari wrote on Twitter, “We consider this a serious violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, airspace, international law, and the UN Charter.” He confirmed that Qatar’s air defense successfully intercepted all missiles and that the base had already been evacuated in advance. “All measures were taken to ensure the safety of personnel. No injuries occurred. Qatar reserves the right to respond to this aggressive attack,” he added.
The U.S. and Qatar share a close military alliance. To date, the U.S. has supplied Qatar with over $26 billion in military equipment, including the Patriot Missile System, Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), AN/FPS-132 Early Warning Radar, F-15QA fighter jets (the most advanced variant of the F-15), and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. In addition to hardware, the partnership includes logistical support, munitions, and military training.
As tensions escalate, the fate of the ceasefire remains uncertain. While Trump has expressed hope for peace, Iranian officials have dismissed any formal agreement, and Israel has not commented publicly. For now, Al Udeid stands as a strategic flashpoint in an increasingly volatile Gulf region.
