Iran Attacks Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar; Here's What to Know About the U.S. Base

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran launched attacks on the U.S. military base in Qatar, the Al Udeid air base, on Monday night local time, or early Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Indonesia time. The attack was carried out after Tehran announced it would retaliate against the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear site.

Al Udeid is home to the largest U.S. military base in Qatar, built in the desert over 24 hectares of land. Established in 1996, it serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Central Command and is a key operational center for the U.S. military operations in the Middle East.

The base, which houses around 10,000 troops, also provides shelter for the Qatar Air Force, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, and other foreign forces.

Washington DC-based newspaper, The Hill, stated that the runways at Al Udeid are long and well-maintained, which enables rapid deployment, making it a critical component " of U.S. force projection.

The Hill also reported that Qatar has invested in the military readiness of Al Udeid, saving billions of dollars for U.S. taxpayers. According to The Hill, Qatar has spent over US$8 billion over the years to upgrade the base's infrastructure.

The Al Udeid base also played a major role in air campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in humanitarian missions, including the evacuation of Kabul in 2021.

As a result of the attack carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a temporary closure of its airspace.

"The competent authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace, as part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region," the ministry said, as quoted from Al Jazeera.

The closure was implemented a few hours after the U.S. and UK embassies urged their citizens in Qatar to seek shelter.

Meanwhile, the Qatari Defense Minister stated that the country's air defense had intercepted the missiles aimed at Al Udeid.

Prior to the Iranian attack, Al Jazeera speculated that the U.S. had taken preventive action. Based on satellite images published by Planet Labs PFC, dozens of U.S. military aircraft were no longer parked on the Al Udeid runway.

On June 5, the Pentagon stated that there were at least 40 military aircraft, including transport aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and reconnaissance aircraft, parked at Al Udeid. However, by June 19, only three aircraft were visible there.

A U.S. official speaking to Reuters said that the aircraft had been relocated from the military base. Furthermore, the official stated that the U.S. had also moved Navy ships from a port in Bahrain. "Force protection is the priority," the official said.

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