[Latest News] Explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar. According to U.S. media reports early on the 24th, Iran launched missiles at the U.S. military base in Qatar.
Comments: The missile attack by Iran on the U.S. military base in Qatar is a direct retaliation for the U.S. air strike on nuclear facilities on June 21st, and also a key turning point in the spiral escalation of the Middle East situation. From the logic of retaliation, Iran's choice of Al-Udeid Air Base as a target has three strategic considerations: this base is the command center of the U.S. military in the Gulf region, with 12,000 stationed troops and core equipment such as B-2 bombers. Striking here can demonstrate the resolve of "an eye for an eye" retaliation, and also weaken the U.S. regional deployment capability by destroying the forward military presence. This precise strike continues the "surgical" tactics used in 2020 when responding to the assassination of Soleimani, that is, limited military actions to convey a deterrent signal and avoid triggering a full-scale war.
This retaliatory action highlights the upgrading of Iran's "asymmetric deterrence" strategy. Compared to relying on proxies like the Houthi movement in the past, Iran directly used its domestically produced "Khorramshahr 4" long-range missile (range 2000 km) and "Conqueror-110" ballistic missile to break through the U.S. air defense barrier in Qatar, demonstrating the practical results of its missile technology. This "hard power display" corresponds to the statement by the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Musavi, that "let loose to strike the U.S. forces," essentially a military countermeasure against the U.S. provocation of "completely destroying Iran's nuclear facilities," aiming to reshape the regional balance of power.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835740312118279/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.