Qatari airspace closed

Interesting ... my son is saying a similar thing to me now.

My partner thinks this was actually very calculated. So they’re seen as retaliating and in the end they go back to negations because the gulf states demand it and not Trump. This way the retaliation can stop but not under Trumps demands but rather than to keep the peace with their friendly states

Iran is not an Arab state.
It approximates to what was known as Persia.

I agree and was surprised too when I found out Iran had got Qatar involved.

Seems like another miscalculation if they didn't think Qatar would be angry even if Iran were specifically targeting the US base.

im hopeful this is it. The gulf states are brought into play and basically force negotiations rather than further scary escalation. But watching the news, it’s hard to see whether this will be what happens or if Trump will red button

I don't see the gulf states going to war with each other.

It will be sorted out between the Gulf states themselves with the Omanis probably taking the lead in talks to smooth things over.

It will all be ok. It’s just sabre rattling.

I'm wondering this too. But it's all escalating very rapidly.

I hope this was done in the know that there would be no casualties cause they knew Qatar would shoot the missiles down, so Iran dont look week and they have retaliated but with the purpose of no casualties

Qatar's govenment has offered its "strong condemnation" of the attack on the al-Udeid Air Base.

Majed al-Ansari, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, writes on X: "We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations charter."

He says Qatar's air defence systems "successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles" and the base had been evacuated earlier.

He adds: "All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others.
"We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack."

The spokesperson says Qatar reserves the right to respond "in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn7ze4vmk2pt

US naval bases in Bahrain are sounding their sirens.

It's hardly a surprise this has happened. It was almost expected. Iran were never not going to retaliate.

I wonder if intelligence has info that Dubai will be next. Its like Iran are going for a scatter gun approach in the hope to hit one US base no matter what country its in.

And Bahrain are sounding sirens and telling people to get to a place of safety. I really hope this is not the start of something huge.

Looks like flights heading for Dubai are now being diverted to Bahrain. This is escalating so quickly.

Iran tried to hit US military base in Iraq also.

What a fucking carry on, honestly! All those poor people in those countries 😪

Scary times

The Qatar statement also refers to the safety of Qatar air force personnel stationed at the base as well as other friendly forces - sounds like they were all evacuated beforehand but Iran cannot risk one Qatar national being hurt.

Although I do wonder if the Qatar statement is also face saving politics. They have been the neutral mediators in other conflicts and can't risk being seen as one side or the other. Words are cheap but particularly if they have told Iran they will have to protest beforehand, possibly just words. What would they actually do?

Oh yeah, I meant because it’s just the base in their minds they thought it would be all fine, not taking into consideration Qatar being upset it’s in their airspace etc

Trump doesn’t have the sense to drop this

I doubt Trump will drop this !

Qatar

Qatar or the American military? There is already online content showing the intercepts.
With any luck, or common sense, that’s the end of it.
The Americans can let this go, the Iranians can say they retaliated. Everyone is happy.
Killing any Americans would be very silly, knowing that America or Israel can basically hit any target they want anywhere in Iran.
They destroyed the Doomsday clock today.

It is ‘just’ the base apparently but its still their country

I think this too. I think Iran thought if it was just the US base it would be fine.

I honestly cannot predict where this is going now.