Donald Trump dismisses 'very weak' Iran strikes, says US got 'early notice'
US President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s retaliatory strikes that targeted a US base in Qatar as “very weak,” while welcoming “early notice” given by Tehran.
“Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, after multiple missiles were launched toward the Al Udeid base, but intercepted by Qatar.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured,” he added.
Trump said he hoped Iran and Israel would ‘now proceed to Peace’.
Iran’s National Security Council said it had attacked the US base at Al Udeid – its largest in the region – in retaliation for American strikes on its nuclear facilities.
Following the attack on Monday night, Iranians gathered in central Tehran, images on state TV showed, to celebrate a missile attack targeting a US base in Qatar in retaliation for American strikes on nuclear sites.
Demonstrators were seen waving the flag of the Islamic Republic and chanting “Death to America”, while others honked their car horns in celebration, footage showed.
Qatar threatens retaliation
After intercepting the missile attack on its soil, Qatar said it could respond in kind. Its foreign ministry condemned Iran’s action as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.
“We affirm that the State of Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the nature and scale of this blatant aggression,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari added in a statement.
Air traffic was suspended over Qatar, neighbouring Bahrain and Kuwait. Qatar’s defence ministry said there were no deaths or injuries.
Qatar’s interior ministry said that the security situation was “stable” and there was “no cause for concern”.
A US defence official in Washington said Al Udeid was “attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran”.
Iran’s National Security Council confirmed the attack on Al Udeid, insisting it did not “pose any threat” to Qatar.
It said the number of missiles used “was the same as the number of bombs that the US had used in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities”.
“This action does not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar,” the Iranian body said.
AFP