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Here’s where things stand on Monday 23 June 2025:
- Iran says it launched an attack on United States forces at Al Udeid Air Base. Loud explosions, flares over Qatar’s capital, Doha.
- Israel and Iran trade heavy air attacks a day after the US struck three main Iranian nuclear facilities.
- Explosions rock Iran’s capital, Tehran, as Israel announces attacks on government and military sites; Iran also sends waves of missiles and drones into Israel, with blasts heard in multiple cities.
- Israeli air raids target the outskirts of several areas in south Lebanon, including the villages of Zrariyeh, Kfrar Milki and Ansar.
- President Donald Trump has hinted at the demise of Iran’s leadership saying: “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?”
- Iran says more than 400 people, including 13 children, have been killed and at least 3,056 others wounded since Israel launched its attack on June 13. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed in Iranian strikes.
Photos: Interceptions over Doha
Iran’s attack tests Trump’s promise of limited involvement
After the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which Trump described as a “spectacular success”, the US president repeatedly suggested that Tehran should stand down to end hostilities with Washington.
At home, Trump’s aides tried to sell the US attacks – to an American public wary of another Middle East war – as limited and aimed at the specific goal of destroying Iran’s nuclear programme, but collapsing the country’s government.
But an Iranian response was inevitable. Today’s attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar highlights the danger of escalation.
Trump warned yesterday that the US could expand the war goals to “regime change”.
In 2020, Trump absorbed the Iranian response to the killing of General Qassem Soleimani – a missile attack on an air base hosting US troops in Iraq.
What happens next will depend on Trump’s reaction to the Iranian attack, as well as the scope of Tehran’s response and whether it will expand beyond targeting Al Udeid.
Iran’s strikes seem to be ‘symbolic’
Muhanad Seloom, an assistant professor in Critical Security Studies at the Doha Institute, says the significance of the attack is the escalation of the confrontation between Iran and the US, stressing that it is the first time ever Iran targeted US bases outside Iraq.
“They did that in the past in Iraq and that country has been a battleground between the US and Iran probably since 2003,” he said, stressing that those attacks have been “normalised”.
“Now this is going way beyond Iraq by attacking a third country such as Qatar.”
He reminded that Al Udeid Air Base, which was already evacuated, does not only have US troops but also Qatari troops.
“My immediate assessment is that Iran has already informed the US and probably Qatar des about the attack. And it looks like a symbolic attack.”
According to Seloom, the escalation between Iran and the US can go in two ways.
“In the first one, Iran might say this is face-saving and now it is time for negotiations.
“Or this would escalate in another direction – which is a very dangerous one – because the US would definitely respond to ongoing attacks that would target their personnel.”
Kuwait shuts down airspace temporarily
Kuwait has just announced the closure of it airspace amid regional escalation.
Iranian attack on US base in Qatar ‘clearly a message to US’
People here have never experienced this kind of environment, so it was certainly a very dramatic experience.
I also have had a lot of messages from people around the world, wondering what happened here and how this country could even be targeted.
But it’s important to understand that this was not intended to harm the civilian population, but it was clearly message to the US government and military that Iran has the capability to launch direct attacks on US military personnel in the Middle East.
It really is up to the United States mow this conflict moves forward whether or not we are going to see a trajectory of war engulfing this regionor whether they will choose this as an opportunity to see it as off-ramp to deescalate the situation.
Iranian threats on US bases put Iraqi gov’t in tricky position
Reporting from Baghdad, Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed says Iran-allied group in Iraq have been threatening US troops in the country, who are part of an international mission to counter ISIL (ISIS).
“The Iraqi government is obliged to protect these military bases by virtue of the Strategic Dialogue – a military agreement between the US and the Iraqi government,” Abdelwahed said.
“These troops have a role to do in Iraq, which is to train Iraqi forces and to help the Iraqi government fight ISIS. So we can say that this is an embarrassing situation for the Iraqi government if these troops or these US military bases come under attack by Iran or by Iranian-aligned armed groups.”
Israeli military says it struck western and central Iran
The Israeli army says around 15 fighter jets carried out a wave of air strikes on western Iran, targeting underground military infrastructure, a missile storage site and a drone storage facility it claimed belonged to Iranian forces.
The strikes were part of a broader operation, it said.
Earlier, Israeli forces also struck targets in central Iran, destroying missile launchers that the army claimed were prepared for firing toward Israel.
Main US base in northeast Syria on full alert
The main remaining base in northeast Syria hosting US troops is on full alert and mobilised for possible attacks by Iran or Iran-aligned groups, a Syrian security source has said.
The base is known as Qasrak and is one of two bases in the northeast Hasakah province, where US troops are based.
What’s the cost and ceiling of the Iran-Israel escalation?
The whole situation has escalated. It had been escalating since yesterday when the nuclear facilities were attacked in Iran.
At the time, we thought the Iranians were taking their time before retaliating. They responded by launching several barrages toward different Israeli cities yesterday and today.
It’s now clear that the Iranians want to make a statement: They will not allow any breach of their sovereignty.
But what is the cost of this? And what will be the ceiling for such an escalation? That is something no one knows.
We are also still waiting for a political response from the Iranians — specifically, the potential exit from the NPT that was being discussed in Parliament. That could represent another major escalation in retaliation for the attacks.
The entire region now stands on the verge of explosion — especially if the United States responds to these attacks without the restraint many expect.
Extraordinary scenes in Qatar’s sky amid Iranian attack
So far, in Qatar, there have been no reports of casualties or damage.
However, there have been extraordinary scenes.
A lot of people came out of their homes and stopped their cars, but now life is returning to normal.
Unlike other parts of the Middle East, people in Qatar do not hear explosions apart from fireworks the country sees several times a year.
It was a shock to a lot of people.
The majority of the population of this country is comprised of expatriates – people who come from other parts of the world.
Therefore, the news of the temporary closure of airspace was concerning, but we expect it to be opened soon.
It appears that either Iran hinted at the attack or gave some sort of warning in advance.
Qatar says missile targeting Al Udeid was intercepted, no casualties reported
Qatar’s Defence Ministry says its air defence systems successfully intercepted missiles targeting the Al Udeid Air Base.
In a statement, the ministry said the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries, crediting “the vigilance of the armed forces and precautionary measures taken”.
The ministry reassured the public that Qatari airspace and territory remain safe and that its armed forces are fully prepared to handle any threat.
Iran’s IRGC vows further response if provoked
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed it launched a missile strike on the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, calling the attack a retaliatory response to what it described as a blatant US assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In a strongly worded statement carried by the official Tasnim news agency, the IRGC warned that any further acts of aggression would be met with force, declaring that US military bases in the region are now points of “vulnerability”.
Iran “will never leave any aggression against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national security unanswered”.
The IRGC said the operation was coordinated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and signalled the end of the era of “hit-and-run” attacks. It also linked US actions to broader Israeli military goals, vowing continued resistance until the “Zionist entity” is dismantled.
An unprecedented, possibly choreographed attack
It seems that this is the beginning of an Iranian retaliation against US bases in the Gulf.
Iran says this is in retaliation for the US attack on the three nuclear sites on Sunday morning. For now, we are unsure about the scope, the timing, how long this will continue, or if it will be a one-off strike.
And nobody knows whether this will also serve as a pretext for the US to retaliate or enter the war.
Many analysts think this could be a kind of choreographed attack – that is, the US was informed in advance, just like in 2020 when Iran retaliated for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, and Iran was reportedly aware in advance of the attack on Fordow. But these are just speculations.
Whatever is going to happen will unfold following these attacks. Only then will we know the posture and the status. This is, of course, unprecedented.
Iran’s Security Council says attack not against ‘brotherly’ Qatar
The Iranian Supreme National Security Council says that the missile strike against the Al Udeid Air Base was away from residential areas in Qatar.
“This action does not pose any threat to the friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and continuing warm and historic relations with Qatar,” the council said in a statement.
Qatar condemned the attack as a blatant violation of its sovereignty.
Qatar strongly condemns Iranian attack on US base
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari says the IRGC attack on the Al Udeid base is a “violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace and the UN charter”.
“We, in the State of Qatar, reserve our right to respond directly … to this blatant aggression in accordance with international law,” al-Ansari said in a statement.
He added that Qatari air defences foiled the attack and successfully confronted the Iranian missiles.
Photos: Flares over Qatar’s capital Doha
What we know about Iranian attack on US base in Qatar
- Iran had pledged to attack the US bases and the military personnel in the Middle East after Washington hit its nuclear sites on Sunday.
- The US and UK embassies in Qatar had earlier released statements recommending citizens in Qatar to shelter in place until further notice.
- Qatar said it shut down its airspace temporarily as part of the measures taken to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
- Flares were seen over Doha as missile defence systems of the Al Udeid Air Base were apparently seen launching into the sky.
- Loud explosions were heard all around the capital.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack on the Al Udeid base.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirm attack on Al Udeid
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially confirmed that it launched a retaliatory missile attack targeting the US’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reports.
Iran attacks US bases in Qatar, Iraq
Iran’s Tasnim news agency says a missile operation targeting US bases in Qatar and Iraq has begun.
The operation, it said, is called “Annunciation of Victory”.
We’ll bring you more shortly.
UN concerned over arbitrary arrests in Iran
Here is more of what the UN fact-finding mission to Iran said in a report:
- Worried about the use of “broadly defined national security offenses, some of which are punishable by death”.
- “Arbitrary” arrests of journalists, activists and social media users “over accusations of espionage with Israel”.
- Concerned about the wellbeing of detainees who remain in prisons located near areas targeted by bombings.
UK prepared to defend assets and personnel in Middle East: Lammy
Britain’s foreign secretary said the country is prepared to defend its personnel and assets in the Middle East and also those of its allies, after having moved assets to the region on a precautionary basis earlier this month.
“Be in no doubt, we are prepared to defend our personnel, our assets and those of our allies and partners,” he told Parliament.
Flares seen over Qatar
Flares are now visible over Qatar’s capital, Doha. It is not immediately known if it is the air defence system or missiles.
Loud explosions can also be heard.
We will bring you more as we get it.
What you need to know about the US base in Qatar?
The 24-hectare (60-acre) Al Udeid Air Base, located southwest of the capital Doha, is the forward headquarters for US Central Command.
CENTCOM directs US military operations in a huge swath of territory stretching from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east.
Established through a defence cooperation agreement in 1996, it is the Middle East’s largest US base and houses about 10,000 troops.
Aid distribution centres have become death traps for many Palestinians
Aid centres operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation have become death traps for many Palestinians.
We understand that people believe the vast majority of humanitarian corridors had been overseen by the Israeli army, either through surveillance drones or ground forces.
They lament horrific tales of shooting that have been conducted either by drones or snipers that have been deployed in nearby areas.
Despite knowing the timings and locations, the Israeli army continues to deliberately target the hungry crowds of people.
This current mechanism has been viewed by Palestinians as a new killing ground. They say they are unable to feel safe in these areas, and many of them have lost choices.
Netanyahu guilty of ‘dragging’ US into conflict, says Iran
Iran’s mission to the UN has blamed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu over the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.
In a social media post, it accused Israel’s leader of “dragging the United States into yet another costly war”.
“America has, once more, recklessly chosen to sacrifice its own security merely to safeguard Netanyahu,” Iran said, adding that Israel and the US had “destroyed diplomacy”.
Although the United Kingdom and France have sought to distance themselves from Israel and the US’s actions against Iran, Tehran said that they, along with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi, would also “bear full responsibility for the death of innocent civilians in Iran, especially women and children, and for the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure”.
So far, more than 400 people have been killed in Iran during the conflict.
Iran strikes on Israel: ‘We’ve never seen so much damage’
At least four waves of missiles were fired at Israel from Iran today, but not many in total – about 10 or so maximum.
Having monitored these missile launches for the past week, there seems to be a slight change in tactics: less missiles but much more disruption, launched over different periods of time.
Today, raid alert sirens sounded for up to 40 minutes in parts of Israel. One damaged an electricity substation, knocking out electricity to 8,000 residents in the Ashdod port area. It’s now been restored.
And this is coming at a financial cost to Israel. According to the tax authority director, so far, 40,000 claims for compensation have been made by Israelis, totalling $1.3bn. Thirty buildings will have to be demolished.
“We’ve never seen so much damage,” says the tax director.
Qatar closes airspace temporarily
Qatar says it has shut down its airspace temporarily as part of measures taken amid developments in the region.
The shutdown comes as Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States after strikes on its nuclear sites.
Earlier, the US and UK embassies in Qatar released statements recommending their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place until further notice. A number of schools in Qatar have also been ordered shut for tomorrow.
UN mission says medical facilities in Iran overwhelmed
The UN fact-finding mission on Iran has released a detailed statement on the situation in the country amid ongoing Israeli attacks. Among other things, it said:
- At least 400 people have been killed, according to Iran’s Health Ministry.
- Three workers from the Red Crescent were also killed in Israeli attacks.
- Damaged areas include a clinic for children with autism and a hospital in Kermanshah.
- Israeli air strikes and evacuation threats led to massive internal displacement, forcing millions of people in Tehran to leave their homes.
- Medical facilities are reportedly overwhelmed and facing shortages of essential supplies, further hindering their ability to care for the injured and protect the right to health.
- Some Israeli attacks including on Iran’s state broadcasting agency and killing of Iranian scientists, were likely in violation of international humanitarian law.
Wave of Israeli strikes targets south Lebanon
Israeli air raids have targeted the outskirts of several areas in south Lebanon, including the villages of Zrariyeh, Kfrar Milki and Ansar, according to the country’s National News Agency.
Attacks appear to have targeted open areas outside of the towns. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Despite the ceasefire it reached with Hezbollah in November last year, Israel has been carrying out near-daily strikes on Lebanon.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem warned last week that the group may take “appropriate” measures if the war between Iran and Israel escalates. So far, the Iran-allied group has not militarily intervened in the conflict.
Ukraine fears ‘more losses’ to Russia as Israel-Iran war escalates
The US’s arms supplies to Israel have affected Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russia’s air raids.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 9 that the White House decided to divert 20,000 anti-drone missiles earmarked for Kyiv.
“Without the help of the United States, we’ll have more losses,” Zelenskyy said in televised remarks.
More Ukraine-bound military aid may now be diverted to Israel, and the Kremlin “counts on this scenario”, according to Nikita Smagin, an author and expert on Russia-Iran relations.
Read more here.
‘Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz would cause global inflationary shock’
Ahmed Helal, the MENA director at strategic advisory firm Global Counsel, says Iran has to shut down the Strait of Hormuz “very quickly” if it intends to do so.
Iran should act fast “in order to ensure the ships they will use would not be targeted by American, Israeli and regional navies”.
“They would effectively mine the waters of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that … the US or Israeli shipping interests are targeted if they are passing,” Helal said.
The analyst stressed that the US navy would respond very quickly because the move would cause an inflationary shock to the global economy.
He added that the closure would hit Asian economies in particular as 80 percent of the oil and gas passing through the strait goes to the countries of the continent.
Helal said the European countries would also be affected as they increasingly rely on hydrocarbons from the Gulf region after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Questions swirl in DC after US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities
Broader Washington is asking questions, given that most of the consensus is that the satellite imagery of the damage from the US strikes has been inconclusive.
The US president is set to hold a national security briefing with his security team at 17:00 GMT.
We know that there are a number of issues that are troubling the White House.
There is a question about where the enriched uranium that was stored at Fordow has moved to, given the fact that there are wide reports that that was what happened prior to the US strikes.
Also, there is another about what Iran’s response or retaliation looks like. Could it be targeting the bases in the Middle East? And the 40,000 US soldiers that are stationed there, as well as their families and American citizens, who have been given a high alert warning to be vigilant?
And there has also been a heightened alert here in the United States, as well as extra vigilance with regard to cybersecurity as well as infrastructure.
Israel’s campaign in Iran seen as big win at home for Netanyahu and army
Orly Noy, editor of the independent Hebrew-language Local Call news site, says there is broad support among Jewish Israelis for Israel’s attacks on Iran despite the retaliation they have provoked.
“Netanyahu has been building up Iran as the ultimate demon of the world for so many years, so I think in a way now he’s enjoying the fruits of that campaign,” Noy told Al Jazeera.
“There is for sure fear. But at the same time, this attack allowed not just Netanyahu, but the Israeli army to really very quickly rehabilitate their broken image after more than 20 months of this war of annihilation in Gaza that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.”
The army, whose image had faltered as more reservists refused to serve in Gaza, is now seeing a boost in recruitment, Noy explained.
“Netanyahu enjoys bigger support, the army for sure has restored its image. There is fear, but there is also incredible trust in the army.”
‘Bad precedent’: China says Israeli, US justification of attacks send ‘wrong signals’
Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said the Israeli attacks on Iran citing “possible future threat” and the US bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities “sent wrong signals to the world and set a bad precedent”.
In a statement issued by his ministry, Wang urged all parties to the conflict to return to dialogue and negotiation.
