A satellite image analysis by The Associated Press on Friday confirmed that a geodesic dome, which housed equipment for secure American communications, was struck by an Iranian missile at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The dome, critical to the US military, was located just outside Doha.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the strike following the release of the AP report. Qatar did not respond to questions regarding the damage caused by the attack.
Iran’s Response to US Bombing of Nuclear Sites
The Iranian missile strike on 23 June came after the United States bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. The missile launch was a retaliatory act and led to a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, bringing an end to the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
The damage from the Iranian strike was minimal, partly because the US had evacuated aircraft from the base prior to the attack. Al Udeid serves as the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command.
Trump stated that Iran had signalled both the timing and method of the strike, allowing US and Qatari forces to prepare in advance. This warning helped avoid casualties.
The attack briefly disrupted air travel in the region but did not escalate into the broader conflict many analysts had feared.
Dome Destroyed, Burn Marks Visible
The geodesic dome was still visible in satellite images taken on the morning of 23 June by Planet Labs PBC, just hours before the strike.
After the attack, burn marks were observed and the dome had been removed. A nearby building was also damaged, though the rest of the base remained intact.
The dome likely contained secure satellite communications equipment.
In 2016, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at the base had installed a $15 million modernised enterprise terminal, which included radomes or satellite dishes.
Images taken on 25 June and afterwards confirmed the dome was no longer present.
Pentagon Confirms Base Still Operational
Parnell stated: “The missile strike did minimal damage to equipment and structures on the base.”
He added: “Al Udeid Air Base remains fully operational and capable of conducting its mission, alongside our Qatari partners, to provide security and stability in the region.”
Iran International, a satellite news channel based in London, was the first to report the dome’s destruction using satellite imagery from a different provider.
Trump and Iran Respond to the Strike
While Iran hailed the attack, Trump called it a “very weak response.” He claimed Tehran had launched 14 missiles, 13 of which were intercepted, and that one was “set free” because it was heading in a “non-threatening” direction.
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The White House has not issued a statement in response to Parnell’s confirmation. Trump had previously visited Al Udeid Air Base on 15 May as part of his Middle East tour.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed the base had been the “target of a destructive and powerful missile attack”, while Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the base had been “smashed”, though no specific damage was detailed.
An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also stated that communications at the base had been disrupted, implying knowledge of the dome being hit.
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