The Blubber

U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as ineffective, signaling that Washington does not intend to retaliate. “I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” Trump wrote in a social media post. He went on to express appreciation for Iran’s apparent efforts to avoid casualties. “I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” he added.

Whether Iran’s latest strike marks the end of its retaliation for the U.S. attacks on its nuclear facilities remains uncertain. Iran had previously warned that any U.S. involvement in its escalating conflict with Israel would prompt a direct response. That threshold has now been crossed. At this stage, Iranian officials may feel they have balanced the scales. However, with U.S. forces now actively participating and European support for Israel increasing, Tehran is unlikely to view the situation as resolved. From Iran’s perspective, the country is under sustained attack not only from Israel but from a broader coalition providing military and logistical backing—something officials in Tehran say makes this part of a wider, ongoing confrontation.

The Sultanate of Oman has condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base, calling it a breach of Qatari sovereignty. However, Muscat also placed responsibility for the broader conflict on Israel. “The Sultanate of Oman condemns the ongoing escalation that the region is witnessing, which was caused by Israel when it launched an illegitimate bombing attack on June 13 against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Oman’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.