WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said that Iran gave the United States notice prior to shooting missiles at its military base in Qatar, which he said made it possible for no lives to be lost.
“I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they´ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” Trump added according to Reuters.
Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base attack, but said it successfully intercepted the short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Iran said the volley matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.
Those comments, made immediately after the attack, suggested Iran wanted to de-escalate with the United States, something Trump himself said after the strikes early Sunday on Iran.
However, Israel´s war on Iran continued, with the Israeli military expanding its campaign Monday to target sites symbolic for the country´s theocracy.
Iran announced the attack on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response” to “America´s aggression.”
Iraqis said they were informed by US officials that missiles were launched toward the Ain al-Assad base housing US troops in western Iraq, but the missiles never arrived, an Iraqi security official who was not authorized to comment publicly told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
A US military official said there was no confirmed attack on the base in Iraq. He also spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment.
Qatar´s Foreign Ministry said the attack by Iran´s Revolutionary Guards was “a flagrant violation of Qatar´s sovereignty, its airspace, and international law.”
