Iran Strikes US Bases in Qatar, Iraq in Retaliation...

That Iran also launched missiles at the Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq, which houses US troops.

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The attacks came just hours after Qatar preemptively closed its airspace, citing threats from Tehran.

The Iranian response came a day after the United States launched airstrikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, including the Fordo and Natanz enrichment facilities, using advanced bunker-buster bombs. President Donald Trump had ordered the strikes, describing them as a preemptive move to cripple Iran's nuclear capabilities.

In the wake of the US strikes, Iran's military chief Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi warned Washington that its actions had given Iran a "free hand" to act against American interests. "Any future moves will be met with a broader response," Mousavi was quoted as saying by the IRNA news agency.

Russia quickly stepped in diplomatically. President Vladimir Putin hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow, where they discussed the crisis in a televised meeting at the Kremlin. Putin reiterated Russia's opposition to the US airstrikes and described the attacks as "an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran".

Putin noted that Araghchi's visit came at a time of "sharp aggravation of the situation" and reiterated Russia's consistent stance in international forums. "We have long-standing and reliable relations with Iran," he said. "On our part, we are making efforts to help the Iranian people."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that while Moscow has offered mediation, further action would depend on Tehran's needs. "We have made our position clear. Going forward, everything depends on what Iran requires at this moment," Peskov stated during a press briefing. He confirmed that no prior notification was received from Washington regarding the strikes on Iran.