Daijiworld Media Network – Doha

Doha, Jul 12: In a major development that reveals the depth of Iran’s response during the recent 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, satellite images have confirmed that a ballistic missile launched by Iran struck a critical communications dome at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — a key US military facility in the region.

The June 23 strike damaged a geodesic dome housing a $15 million secure satellite communication terminal, known as a ‘radome,’ used by the US Air Force. Satellite imagery analysed by The Associated Press and Planet Labs PBC shows the dome intact just hours before the strike, but completely destroyed by June 25, with surrounding minor structural damage visible.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the hit late Friday, acknowledging that an Iranian missile did, in fact, strike the communications structure. However, he noted that the attack caused "minimal damage" and stressed that Al Udeid remains fully operational, continuing its mission with Qatari support to ensure regional security.

Qatar has yet to issue a public response on the incident.

The missile strike came shortly after the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites and marked Tehran's calculated retaliation — one that, according to former President Donald Trump, was communicated in advance. This forewarning allowed American and Qatari defenses to evacuate aircraft and prepare interception systems. Trump characterized the strike as a “very weak response,” stating that 13 out of 14 Iranian missiles were intercepted, and one was allowed to proceed as it posed no threat.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had claimed the strike on Al Udeid was “destructive and powerful,” while Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the base had been “smashed,” though without concrete evidence. Notably, Ahmad Alamolhoda, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, claimed the missile strike cut off all communications from the base, stating, “All equipment of the base was completely destroyed.”

While satellite imagery contradicts this, showing only localized damage to the radome and no widespread destruction, the incident has reignited concerns over escalating regional tensions and the vulnerability of critical US military infrastructure in the Gulf.

Al Udeid serves as the forward headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and plays a vital role in American operations across the Middle East. The facility had previously seen increased security amid the Iran-Israel conflict, and Trump had visited the base on May 15 during his Middle East tour.

Though the strike did not result in casualties, the damage to the high-value radome highlights both Iran’s missile capabilities and the evolving nature of regional power dynamics.