Iran launches missiles at US base; Trump calls for peace.
Iran launched a barrage of missiles at a US air base in Qatar on June 23, but caused no casualties. In a surprising reaction, President Donald Trump downplayed the attack, calling it a "weak response," and urged Iran and Israel to work towards peace as the conflict entered its 12th day.
The attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar risks escalating a conflict that began on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Iran has threatened retaliation against the U.S. after U.S. bombers dropped 13.6-ton bunker-busting bombs on Iran's underground nuclear facilities over the weekend.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared: "We do not attack anyone, and we will never accept being attacked by anyone... We will not submit to the aggression of anyone – that is the logic of the Iranian nation."
Iran notified the US through diplomatic channels hours before the attack, as well as the Qatari authorities. President Trump seized on that as a positive sign.
"I want to thank Iran for notifying us early, which helped ensure no lives were lost and no one was injured," Trump wrote on the social media site Truth Social. "Perhaps now Iran can move toward peace and harmony in the region, and I would enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same."
He said Iran fired 14 missiles at the air base, calling it "a very weak response, which we anticipated and dealt with very effectively."
"I am pleased to announce that no Americans were harmed and there was virtually no damage," Trump wrote. "Most importantly, they have released all the anger within their 'system,' and hopefully there will be no more hatred."
According to Reuters, Iran's handling of the attack is reminiscent of previous clashes, when Tehran sought to balance saving face with a military response without creating a spiral of escalation it could not afford.
According to a Telegram message, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran is ready to retaliate again should the US take further action.
Iran's attack strained relations with its Arab neighbors: Qatar condemned the attack, as did Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Meanwhile, Israel announced that it had launched its most extensive wave of attacks ever against Tehran on June 23.
The targets include Evin prison in Tehran, where the Iranian authorities hold political opponents. This represents a new escalation, demonstrating Israel's willingness to strike beyond previously mentioned military and nuclear targets to target key pillars of Iran's ruling system.
On the market, despite the threats, oil prices fell 7%, indicating traders' skepticism about Iran's ability to take action that would disrupt global supply.
