Qatar's Defense Ministry announced late Tuesday that an Iranian ballistic missile struck Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East. The ministry reported that Qatari air defense systems intercepted one of two missiles launched from Iran, while the second penetrated defenses and impacted the base without causing casualties.

Al-Udeid Air Base, located south of Doha, houses the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command and supports around 10,000 U.S. personnel. The strike occurred amid a series of Iranian attacks on U.S. and allied sites across the Gulf region.

The incident is part of Iran's retaliation following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets that began last week. Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates since late February. Qatar alone has intercepted dozens of projectiles, including 65 ballistic missiles and 12 drones in recent days, with eight injuries reported from debris but no fatalities at military sites.

U.S. officials have not yet released a damage assessment for Al-Udeid. Earlier reports indicated minor impacts from previous strikes on the base, but details remain limited. Separately, six U.S. service members were killed in a drone attack on a compound in Kuwait earlier this week. Iranian state media claimed successful hits on U.S. communications and radar systems at the base, including a reported $1.1 billion AN/FPS-132 early warning radar, though these assertions lack independent verification.

The conflict, now in its fifth day as of Wednesday, has prompted evacuations of American civilians from the region and disruptions to global oil markets. Qatar's ministry emphasized its commitment to defending its sovereignty while hosting allied forces. U.S. Central Command has reaffirmed defensive postures but provided no specific comment on Tuesday's strike.

Videos circulating online showed Patriot interceptors launching from the base toward incoming threats, with one missile reportedly breaking through defenses. The Qatari government has also downed Iranian aircraft in prior engagements, marking heightened regional tensions.