Iran Says Missile Attack Matched Number Of US Bombs, Signalling Likely Desire To De-escalate

Iran said its missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites this weekend, signalling Iran's likely desire to deescalate.

Iran made the announcement Monday night in a statement from its Supreme National Security Council after the attack, which Qatar said caused no injuries.

Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.

Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region.

People in Doha, Qatar's capital, stopped and looked up as missiles flew and interceptors fired and struck at least one missile in the night sky. Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base.

A caption on screen called it "a mighty and successful response" to "America's aggression" as martial music played. Iran also targeted the Ain al-Assad base housing US troops in western Iraq, an Iraqi security official told The Associated Press.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly. The attacks came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.