FnF News
🇺🇸 FNF News | Gulf Conflict & U.S.–Iran Diplomacy
Published: June 26, 2025
By: Khadija Khan, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Iran Fires on U.S. Base in Qatar as Trump Confirms Nuclear Talks in Doha
DOHA — The crisis in the Gulf deepened overnight as Iran launched 19 ballistic missiles at the U.S.-operated Al‑Udeid Air Base in Qatar, just hours after a tentative ceasefire between Iran and Israel was announced. The strike, carried out under Iran’s so-called “Operation Glad Tidings of Victory,” was mostly intercepted by Qatar’s advanced missile defense systems—with only one missile landing near the base perimeter. No casualties were reported.
At the same time, President Trump confirmed that nuclear negotiations with Iran will begin next week in Doha, signaling one of the most dramatic pivots from war to diplomacy in recent years.
Missile Strike and Military Response
- Qatari and U.S. missile defense systems including Patriot, NASAMS, THAAD, Rapier, and Roland successfully intercepted 18 of the 19 missiles.
- Qatar closed its airspace minutes before the strike, after receiving advanced warning from Iran.
- U.S. military officials described the attack as a “calculated escalation”, while Trump dismissed it as “very weak.”
Ceasefire in Name Only
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by Trump earlier this week, is rapidly unraveling:
- Israeli jets conducted strikes on Iranian-linked targets in southern Syria within hours of the agreement.
- Iran responded not only with the missile attack on Al‑Udeid but also new drone activity and cyber intrusions targeting Israeli and U.S. assets.
- Israeli officials have stated they are now “operating in defensive readiness mode” across multiple fronts.
U.S.–Iran Talks Set for Doha
Despite the battlefield tensions, the U.S. State Department confirmed that diplomatic representatives from both Washington and Tehran will meet in Doha, hosted by Qatari officials. The objectives reportedly include:
- Reinstating IAEA oversight on Iran’s nuclear enrichment.
- Negotiating limits on centrifuge development and uranium levels.
- Considering phased sanctions relief, including release of frozen Iranian oil revenues.
Iran’s parliament recently passed a motion suspending IAEA cooperation, further complicating the starting point for these discussions.
Regional Readiness and Proxy Movements
- The USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Carl Vinson remain active in the Gulf, with increased reconnaissance over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen are reportedly on high alert.
- Hezbollah has repositioned artillery units near Israel’s northern border, according to Israeli intelligence.
- U.S. Cyber Command reports elevated Iranian-linked digital activity targeting defense infrastructure.
Oil Markets and Air Travel Impact
- Global oil markets showed confidence in missile defense systems. Brent crude dropped 7%, closing below $72 per barrel.
- Qatar Airways rerouted dozens of flights, and neighboring Gulf states also restricted air traffic temporarily during the strike window.
Global Reactions
- The United Nations, European Union, and Russia all issued calls for calm, urging both sides to de-escalate.
- The U.S. Congress is divided, with some lawmakers demanding War Powers review over Trump’s airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- China has remained silent on the missile exchange but is reportedly monitoring the upcoming talks closely.