In a dramatic and unprecedented escalation, loud explosions echoed over the Qatari capital of Doha just moments ago, signaling the beginning of what Iran’s Tasnim News Agency is calling Operation “Annunciation of Victory.”

The operation reportedly involves missile strikes against U.S. military bases in both Qatar and Iraq, including the strategic Al Udeid Air Base outside of Doha.

The attack is being described as Iran’s direct retaliation for a U.S. strike over the weekend that targeted three nuclear sites within Iranian territory. The Iranian government has framed this latest response as a matter of sovereignty and national defense, sending a clear message to Washington that it will not tolerate further military aggression on its soil.

Multiple Regional Targets Struck

Reports from Tehran, Iraq, and Bahrain suggest that several U.S. installations across the Gulf are under fire. Sirens have been activated in Bahrain, and residents have been told to remain indoors and calm. Qatar temporarily closed its airspace two and a half hours ago, anticipating the assault—an early sign that the region was bracing for retaliation.

While it is unclear whether the United States had prior knowledge of the strikes—as it allegedly did during Iran’s 2020 retaliation for the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani—speculation is growing that a limited, choreographed exchange might have been considered to prevent further escalation. However, this time, the stakes are significantly higher.

The Al Udeid Air Base in Doha

The Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East and typically home to around 10,000 troops, was one of the primary targets. Recent intelligence had already led to a partial evacuation of the base, reducing potential casualties. Nonetheless, the symbolic weight of an attack on such a high-profile installation cannot be overstated.

A Tipping Point in Regional Conflict

Tensions in the region have been simmering for months, but the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend marked a turning point. Analysts had predicted Iran might respond with cyberattacks, covert operations, or economic disruption—such as closing the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, Tehran opted for a direct military strike, signaling a significant change in posture.

Iran has already retaliated against Israel in recent days with missile barrages on several cities, and now it has widened the scope of its response to include American targets. Iranian officials had also warned of a possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which would mark a major shift in international nuclear diplomacy.

What Comes Next?

The global community now watches with grave concern. Will the United States respond militarily, risking full-scale regional war? Or will Washington exercise restraint, seeking to contain the damage and avoid another endless Middle East conflict?

Memories of the 2020 escalation remain fresh—when U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes but eventually pulled back from the brink. However, unlike that episode, this attack comes in the middle of what some analysts are calling a “regional war in slow motion,” which includes active conflict fronts in Israel-Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and increasing unrest across the Gulf.

This may be the most serious military escalation in the Middle East since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. The coming hours and days will determine whether diplomacy can prevail—or if the region is descending into a full-scale confrontation that could reshape the global order.