U.S. Air Base in Qatar Struck by Iranian Ballistic Missile in June, According to Pentagon
In an unexpected turn of events, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was targeted by an Iranian ballistic missile on June 23, 2025. The attack, which was part of a series of escalating tensions in the region, resulted in minimal damage to equipment and structures on the base, according to the Pentagon.
The impact of the missile caused a geodesic radome, used to house communications equipment, to be hit, and a satellite communications dish was destroyed. However, the U.S. military's ability to evacuate aircraft and activate air defense systems minimized the overall impact of the attack, with no injuries reported.
The base, a joint U.S.-Qatari facility that hosts the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central, typically houses approximately 10,000 military and civilian personnel. During the attack, most planes were moved away from the base, and it was evacuated, with only a few Army soldiers and two Patriot batteries remaining on base to defend it.
The attack came after a series of events that had raised concerns over the years. Iranian missiles, either fired directly from Iran or its proxy forces, have been a persistent concern for U.S. forces, with Qatar located directly across the Persian Gulf from Iran.
In advance of the attack, additional U.S. Patriot systems were relocated from Japan and Korea to Al Udeid Air Base. The missile that struck was intercepted by U.S. and Qatari air defense systems, but another missile got through and caused the damage mentioned above.
President Donald Trump stated that there were no American or Qatari casualties as a result of the attack. He also mentioned that 13 missiles were intercepted, and one missile was "set free" during the attack. Iran vowed to retaliate and warned Qatar in advance that it was going to attack Al Udeid Air Base, according to media reports.
It is important to note that the information provided does not specifically mention damage to the Modernization Enterprise Terminal (MET) at Al Udeid Air Base during any Iranian missile attack on June 23, 2021. However, there was an attack on June 23, 2025, where one Iranian ballistic missile struck the base.
The MET, a communications suite worth $15 million, provides secure communication capabilities including voice, video, and data services for service members in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with military leaders around the world. The exact status of the MET during the 2025 attack is not clear from the available information.
Despite the attack, Al Udeid Air Base remains fully operational and capable of conducting its mission. This includes the use of U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles, which struck three sites in Iran (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan) in the early hours of June 22, local time, as a response to Iranian nuclear activities.
[1] Pentagon Report: Al Udeid Air Base Sustains Minimal Damage in Iranian Missile Attack, June 23, 2025. [3] Satellite Imagery Shows Damage to Al Udeid Air Base, June 24, 2025. [5] Al Udeid Air Base: A Closer Look at the Damage, June 25, 2025.
- The Pentagon reported that Al Udeid Air Base incurred minimal damage from an Iranian ballistic missile attack on June 23, 2025, despite the geodesic radome used for satellite communications being hit and a dish destroyed.
- The U.S. military's quick action to evacuate aircraft and activate air defense systems prevented further extensive damage, with no reported injuries.
- Al Udeid Air Base, a joint U.S.-Qatari facility housing approximately 10,000 military and civilian personnel, was subject to the attack after years of rising concerns over Iranian missile activities, particularly those launched from Iran or its proxy forces.
- In response to the threat, additional U.S. Patriot systems were relocated to Al Udeid Air Base, but one missile still managed to slip through and cause the reported damage.
- President Donald Trump confirmed that there were no American or Qatari casualties and mentioned that 13 missiles were intercepted, with one "set free" during the attack.
- Despite the damage, Al Udeid Air Base continued its operations, using U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles to strike Iranian sites (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan) in response to Iranian nuclear activities, as mentioned in general news reports.
