Iran strikes back at US with missile attack on Qatar base

President Trump calls expected’ raid a very weak response’

- JOE HADDEN, BEL TREW, ALEX WOODWARD

Iran last night retaliated against Donald Trump’s bombing of its nuclear facilities, launching missile strikes against a major US base in Qatar.

Explosions were seen in the skies as Doha successfully intercepted the short- and medium-range ballistic weapons and condemned the attack as "a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, airspace, and international law". It was forced to close its airspace before the attack, forcing the diversion of passenger jets away from the busy Doha airport.

An hour before the attacks, officials with knowledge of the situation in Qatar told The Independent that the tiny Gulf country was already preparing for "the worst-case scenario", as it hosts the largest American regional base.

Iran reportedly coordinated the strikes with Qatari officials in an apparent effort to minimise casualties, according to The New York Times, citing three Iranian officials. The White House also reportedly had knowledge of the attack, according to Axios.

Late last night Mr Trump said the war between Israel and Iran was set to end in a ceasefire. "It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," Mr Trump posted on social media. There was no immediate word from either country on the ceasefire.

The agreement would start with Iran and then be joined by Israel 12 hours later, with the president writing that the respective sides would "remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL". The phased-in ceasefire was set to begin at roughly midnight Washington time [GMT 0500] and culminate within 24 hours.

"This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will!" Mr Trump said.