Ceasefire Unconfirmed as Iran Strikes U.S. Bases in Qatar

Hey Elites, War Is Not a Toy for Your Profits and Portfolios!

 June 24, 2025

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran launched a major missile strike on U.S. military installations in Qatar early Monday, casting doubt over a ceasefire announcement made by U.S. President Donald Trump just hours earlier. The strike—targeting the Al Udeid Air Base, a key U.S. strategic hub in the Middle East—marks one of the most direct Iranian actions against American forces since hostilities began on June 13.

Ceasefire or Confusion?

On Sunday evening, President Trump addressed the press with what appeared to be a breakthrough: a "complete and total ceasefire" between Iran and Israel, brokered with the help of undisclosed diplomatic backchannels. The ceasefire was said to be scheduled to take effect “within 24 hours” and would be phased in to allow for military de-escalation on both sides.

However, as of midday Monday (June 24), neither Iran nor Israel has issued any formal acknowledgment or acceptance of the ceasefire terms. Israeli officials declined to comment, while Iran's state-run media dismissed Trump’s announcement as “premature and misleading.”

A senior Iranian military commander, speaking anonymously to Tasnim News Agency, stated: “We are not negotiating under fire, nor do we accept unilateral declarations of ceasefire from aggressors or their allies.”

Iran’s Strike on Al Udeid Air Base

Just hours after Trump's ceasefire remarks, a salvo of at least 20 ballistic missiles was launched by Iran toward U.S. targets in Qatar. The primary target was the Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts thousands of American troops and is central to regional operations. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the attack and stated that most of the incoming projectiles were intercepted by missile defense systems.

No casualties have been reported so far, but damage assessments are ongoing. Early reports suggest the base's outer perimeter and logistics facilities suffered light structural damage. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, framing it as retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian soil over the weekend.

In a statement, IRGC leadership declared, “The Zionist entity’s aggression on Tehran’s infrastructure and prisons has crossed red lines. Any nation that enables those attacks will be held accountable, including the United States.”

Israel's Continued Air Campaign

Even as international observers awaited signs of de-escalation, Israeli forces launched another wave of airstrikes overnight across several Iranian targets. Among the most significant was a precision attack on Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, aimed at disrupting intelligence and command coordination. Video footage circulating on social media showed smoke rising from the facility and reported chaos among inmates and guards.

Simultaneously, Israeli jets reportedly struck the Fordow nuclear site—specifically its road access and above-ground infrastructure. While the underground enrichment facility is believed to be heavily fortified, satellite images indicate surface-level impact consistent with bunker-busting munitions.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) noted that their campaign is “nearing completion,” suggesting that unless provoked further, Israel could be ready to halt operations “in the coming days.”

The Wider Fallout

International reaction to the latest developments has been mixed. Russia issued a stern warning against further escalation, calling the potential for a broader war “a Pandora’s box that could engulf the region.” The European Union urged both Iran and Israel to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities and requested a formal multilateral negotiation under UN supervision.

Meanwhile, oil markets reacted swiftly to the attack on Al Udeid, with Brent crude prices rising above $110 per barrel for the first time in over a year. Shipping insurers are bracing for further disruptions should Iran proceed with its earlier threat to block the Strait of Hormuz—through which over 20% of global oil flows.

A War Still in Motion

Despite the promise of a ceasefire, the facts on the ground suggest that the conflict remains far from over. Trump’s declaration, whether based on incomplete intelligence or overconfidence, appears to have little traction with the actors actually engaged in combat. On the contrary, the hours following his announcement have witnessed some of the most aggressive exchanges since the war began.

Unless a credible diplomatic mechanism is quickly established—with buy-in from Iran, Israel, and key intermediaries like the U.S., Russia, and Qatar—the risk of miscalculation remains dangerously high. With both sides vowing to respond to each attack in kind, and now with U.S. assets directly in the line of fire, the Middle East faces its most volatile military standoff in recent memory.