Iran’s IRGC claims “surprise” attack on U.S. base in Qatar; Jordan, Bahrain say intercepted Iranian aerial attacks

TEHRAN/AMMAN/MANAMA, July 17– Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said its aerospace forces on Friday launched a “heavy and surprise” retaliatory attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, while Jordan and Bahrain said they intercepted Iranian aerial attacks amid escalating regional tensions.

In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said the attack in Qatar was aimed at “punishing the aggressor” and the U.S. Army.

It said its forces struck and completely destroyed a long-range radar system and several aerial refueling tanker aircraft at the U.S. base, and seriously damaged some others.

The IRGC warned that the United States and countries hosting U.S. bases in West Asia must know that crossing Iran’s red lines and attacking the country’s people and civilian infrastructure will be met with a “very harsh” response, noting that if the “enemy” continues such actions, more “crushing” responses will be on the way.