Iran launches missiles at US base, Trump calls for peace

The attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar threatens to widen a conflict that began on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Iran has threatened to retaliate against the United States after US bombers dropped 13.6-ton bunker-buster 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 anyone's aggression – that is the logic of the Iranian nation."

Iran notified the United States through diplomatic channels hours before the attack, as did the Qatari government. President Trump seized on that as a positive sign.

"I want to thank Iran for their early notification, which resulted in no lives being lost and no one being 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."

Iran fired 14 missiles at the air base, he said, calling it "a very weak response, which we anticipated, and dealt with very effectively."

"I am happy to report that no Americans were harmed and virtually no damage was done," Trump wrote. "Most importantly, they have released all the anger in their 'system' and hopefully there will be no more hatred left."

Iran's handling of the attack was reminiscent of previous clashes, as Tehran sought to balance saving face with a military response but not triggering an escalation spiral it could not afford, Reuters reported.

According to a statement posted on Telegram, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran is ready to respond again in case the US takes further action.

Iran's attack has strained relations with its Arab neighbors: Qatar condemned the attack, as did Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

Meanwhile, Israel said it carried out its most extensive wave of attacks ever on Tehran on June 23.

The targets included Evin prison in Tehran, where the Iranian government holds political opponents. It was a new escalation, showing Israel’s willingness to strike beyond previously stated military and nuclear targets to target key pillars of Iran’s ruling system.

In the market, despite the threats, oil prices fell 7%, showing that traders were skeptical about the possibility of Iran taking action to disrupt global supplies.