By Tarek Chouiref
ISTANBUL (AA) - Qatar’s Defense Ministry said late Tuesday that an Iranian ballistic missile struck Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, without causing casualties.
In a statement, the ministry said Qatar was targeted by two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, adding that air defense systems intercepted one of them while the second fell on the base, located southwest of the capital Doha, without resulting in human losses.
The ministry said the Qatari Armed Forces possess the full capability to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territory and remain prepared to respond firmly to any external threat.
It also urged citizens, residents and visitors to remain calm, follow official instructions and rely on verified information rather than rumors.
The statement did not specify whether the missile caused material damage.
Earlier Tuesday, the ministry said it had detected three cruise missiles, 101 ballistic missiles and 39 suicide drones heading toward Qatari airspace since the start of the Iranian attacks, adding that all missiles and 24 drones were intercepted.
Tensions have escalated across the region since the US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Saturday, killing nearly 800 people.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries, which are home to US military assets.