Why Al Udeid air base was at the center of Iran's retaliation against the US

Iran launched a military attack on Al Udeid air base in Qatar on Monday, marking a significant escalation in tensions across the Middle East. The base is the largest US military installation in the region and serves as a central command point for American forces. The attack came in retaliation for recent US airstrikes on three critical Iranian nuclear sites.

However, US official have told Reuters, that no Iranian missiles appear to have hit US airbase in Qatar.

Why Al Udeid was targeted
The Al Udeid air base, located 20 miles southwest of Doha, is the largest US military site in the Middle East. It serves as the forward headquarters for the US Central Command and can house more than 10,000 troops.

The attack came in retaliation for US airstrikes on three critical Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Al Udeid was considered a prime target due to its role in coordinating US military operations across the region.

The choice of Al Udeid highlights its significance as the main hub for US military activity in the Middle East, making it a priority target for Iran as tensions rise.

Also Read: Iran fires missiles at US bases, as tensions soar across Middle East

Qatar’s air defenses and airspace closures
Qatar announced that its air defenses intercepted the missiles and condemned the attack. In response, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, disrupting flights to and from Doha and Dubai.

The attack came as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Tehran, warning it would continue attacks in the coming days. The United States and Israel had warned their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place, fearing an attack.

Iran’s Foreign Minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the strikes. Putin called the US attacks “absolutely unprovoked aggression” but stopped short of offering concrete support for Iran.

Also Read: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE: Gulf shuts airspace one by one as Middle East tensions rise

Impact on Iran’s nuclear program
Although US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran’s nuclear program had been “totally obliterated” by the strikes, senior US officials said it remained unclear how much of Iran’s uranium stockpile had been destroyed.

What are the other main US military bases in the Middle East?

• Bahrain: Home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which operates across the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
  
  
• Kuwait: Hosts several sprawling installations, including Camp Arifjan (headquarters for US Army Central) and Ali Al Salem Air Base, about 40 km from the Iraqi border. Camp Buehring, established during the Iraq War, serves as a staging area for US Army units deploying to Iraq and Syria.
  
  
• United Arab Emirates: Al Dhafra Air Base, located south of Abu Dhabi, serves as a critical US Air Force hub supporting operations against the Islamic State and providing reconnaissance across the Middle East. Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port operates as the largest US Navy port of call in the region.
  
  
• Iraq: Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar supports Iraqi security forces and NATO missions. It was targeted by Iranian missiles in 2020 after the US killing of General Qasem Soleimani. The Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq supports training, intelligence sharing, and logistics for US and coalition forces.
  
  
• Saudi Arabia: The US operates in coordination with the Saudi government, with approximately 2,321 troops stationed across the kingdom as of 2024. Prince Sultan Air Base, located about 60 km south of Riyadh, supports air and missile defense assets including Patriot and THAAD missile systems.
  
  
• Jordan: Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Azraq hosts the US Air Forces Central’s 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, supporting missions across the Levant.