Iran is well past the point of "saving face" or establishing deterrence. Its leaders must surely realise that they are already in a difficult war with a dangerous and reckless adversary.

Retaliating against the US at this point serves no strategic purpose.

It is a huge gambit.

By Sam on X (and I agree)

—❗️🇮🇷/🇺🇸 President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, in a statement on X:

'We neither initiated this war nor wanted it, but we will never leave any aggression against Iran unanswered.

‎We will stand by the security of this dear nation⁩ with all our being, and respond to every wound on Iran's body with faith, wisdom, and determination.

God is our protector.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

U.S. officials tell the Wall Street Journal that Iran is positioning missile launchers for a potential attack on American forces in the Middle East, in retaliation for the recent U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites.

A Western diplomat told Reuters there has been a credible Iranian threat against the US-run Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar since noon on Monday.

Good luck inshallah...may you make them regret the aggression on the great nation of Iran

If Al Udeid airbase in Qatar is the target that Iran has chosen, it seems that they are signalling an intent to deescalate with the US. Al Udeid was very publicly emptied over the last week or so. On June 5 there were approx 40 aircraft at the base, this morning, there is 1

We'll likely see a US response to the attack to get the last word in but it seems that (for now), the US' active role in this war is winding down.

By Kylie on X

❗️An Israeli security source tells Israel Hayom that the IAF is over Iranian airspace and that it will work to thwart threats to US bases in the region if required.

❗️Did Iran fire?

Qatar just spam fired all their AD over 6 Iranian missiles so far.

Repeatedly one missile fired at a base in Iraq

The sky above Doha, Qatar

The heads-ups ensure no American deaths so lowers Trump's pretext.

Damage will be good, so let's see

Al-Jazera isn't doing a live coverage in Qatar

They only now quoted media by words

Iran calls this attack

بشائر الفتح

Which roughly translates to: The first signs of triumph

🇶🇦 An Israeli official told Axios that Iran has launched 10 missiles targeting U.S. bases in Qatar.

🇮🇷 So far, a very small and symbolic attack with half a day prior warning in an attempt to show the U.S they want to de-escalate and de-associate the U.S from this war

🇶🇦 The base in Qatar is a U.S jewel in the Gulf and symbolic

❗️UAE closes their airspace as a precaution

🇫🇷 Meanwhile Macron says US strikes targeting Iran were “illegal”

—❗️🇺🇸/🇮🇷/🇶🇦 BREAKING: Initial reports of three impacts at the U.S. base in Al-Udeid

@Middle_East_Spectator

Sound is Lebanese in Qatar

Ah yes, jets shooting down ballistic missiles

Mashallah

❗️ Qatar claims their own air defenses defended against an attack on Al-Udaid base.

It was the U.S

There are no deaths or injuries in Qatar

—❗️🇺🇸/🇮🇷 Statement by the Iranian Armed Forces:

'Noble and Resilient Nation of Iran!

Following the blatant military aggression of the criminal regime of the United States of America against the peaceful nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the clear violation of international law, by the order of the Supreme National Security Council and the leadership of the Central Headquarters of the Rasool Al-Azam, the IRGC with the sacred code of ' Ya Aba Abdullah Al-Hussein' has targeted the Al-Udeid base in Qatar with a devastating and powerful missile attack in Operation Besharat Fatah.

This base is the headquarters of the Air Force and the largest strategic asset of the U.S. terrorist army in the West Asian region.

The message of this decisive action of the sons of the nation in the armed forces is clear and unequivocal for the White House and its allies:

The Islamic Republic of Iran, relying on God Almighty, relying on the faithful and famous people of Islamic Iran, will not leave its territorial integrity, sovereignty and national security unanswered under any circumstances.

With the aggression of the American enemy, it became clear to everyone that the evil of the Zionists was an extension of the Americans' design. Accordingly, we remind you that in this national defense, the U.S. bases and mobile military targets in the region are not a point of strength, but rather a major weakness and a thorn in the side of this warmongering regime.

On the eve of the month of Muharram, the month of mourning for the leader and commander of martyrs, Hazrat Abu Abdullah Al-Hussein (AS), we once again warn the enemies of Islamic Iran that the era of hit-and-run is over, and the will of the country's powerful people's armed forces.

Any repetition of U.S. aggression will lead to the acceleration of the collapse of the U.S. military pillars in the region, their ignominious escape from West Asia, and the realization of the common aspiration of the Islamic Ummah and the freedom-loving nations of the world in eradicating the cancerous tumor of Zion.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

Qatar condemns the Iranian attack, says it is a violation of their sovereignty and that reserve the right to respond.

✍ To be fair? The Gulf state knows the U.S won't help them like Israel, so they should pressure the U.S to end the war on Iran without any conditions

What made the Arab Gulf states unique is the security they have. They thrive thanks to that.

The longer the war continues, the more the U.S jeopardizes their security. This is why the whole Gulf should help Iran stop the war

Iran says Qatar is a friendly state that we don't want to harm or affect and that this was only directed at the U.S base there

🇮🇷l🇶🇦 The New York Times reports that Iran coordinated the missile attacks on the U.S. air base in Qatar with Qatari officials, providing advance warning to minimize casualties, according to three Iranian officials familiar with the plans.

As expected and perfect