Despite the apparent arrogance and statements of certainty of the US, which characterized the Iranian missile attack on the strategic Al Udeid base in Qatar on June 23 as “weak”, the reality proves the exact opposite. The attack, which included 14 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, was not only powerful and effective, but also hit one of the most sensitive and critical facilities of the base: the geodesic dome that housed secure communications equipment.
Satellite images and damage analysis reveal that the Iranian operation caused a complete disruption of communications and US command in the area, sending a clear message of Iran’s ability to strike critical strategic infrastructure, despite the weighty statements of President Donald Trump.
The communications dome of the US Al Udeid base was hit!
In particular, the Iranian missile strike on the US military airfield at Al Udeid in Qatar on June 23 appeared to have hit a dome housing secure communications equipment, according to satellite images released on July 10.
The attack, in which Iran fired about 14 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at Al Udeid, was carried out in retaliation for the United States’ attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow a day earlier.
This exchange of strikes marked the end of Israel’s 12-day war against the Islamic Republic.
Trump was rebuffed, Khamenei was vindicated
US President Donald Trump called the attack a “very weak response,” stressing that 13 of the missiles launched by Iran were successfully shot down and that one missile was “released” as it headed in a “non-threatening” direction.
“I want to thank Iran for informing us in a timely manner, which allowed no lives to be lost and no one to be injured,” he wrote on his website, Truth Social. Of interest is the statement of an advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that the base’s communications had been disrupted.
“All the equipment of the base was completely destroyed and now the US command line and the connection from Al Udeid base to their other military bases have been completely cut,” said Ahmad Alamolhoda, a hardline cleric.
Satellite images revealed the truth
Indeed, satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, which were analyzed by the Associated Press, perfectly demonstrate the condition of the geodesic dome in the Al Udeid area on the morning of June 23, just a few hours before the attack.
The 379th Air Operations Wing of the US Air Force, which operates from the base, had announced in 2016 the installation of the $15 million equipment, known as the “modernized operations terminal.”
Images taken on June 25 and the following day reveal that the dome is no longer there, with visible damage to a nearby building.
The London-based satellite news channel Iran International also reported the damage, citing satellite imagery from a different provider.
Overall, it appears that Iran has managed to inflict significant damage on Al Udeid, demonstrating that US military forces in the Middle East are within range of Iran’s offensive capabilities.
The Trump administration is likely to take the results of this strike into account, especially as Israel prepares for a new conflict with the Islamic Republic.
