Trump in situation room: US monitoring Iran strike on base in Qatar, says White House - Report

White House official on Monday said that defense secretary Pete Hegseth and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff general John Caine are currently in the Situation Room with US President Donald Trump, actively monitoring the escalating situation in Qatar following Iran’s missile strike on the Al Udeid Air Base, as reported by Reuters.

Amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, Iran launched several missiles targeting the American base in Qatar in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Explosions were heard across Doha, shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution. Bahrain, home to the US 5th Fleet, also temporarily suspended flights.

Iran later acknowledged launching the strikes, saying they matched the number of bombs dropped by the US signaling a possible intent to de-escalate.


The Iranian retaliation came a day after the US carried out surprise strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.

Al Udeid Air Base plays a vital role in US military operations in the region. It houses the Combined Air Operations Center, which oversees air power coordination across the Middle East, as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest of its kind globally.

Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X: “We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.”

Trump had earlier described the US operation on Iran as "very successful" in a Truth Social post. He was later seen in photos released by the White House, wearing his signature red "Make America Great Again" cap, watching developments from the Situation Room.