Trump Holds Emergency Situation Room Meeting After Iran Claims Missile Attack on U.S. Base in Qatar

June 23, 2025 | Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump convened an emergency meeting in the White House Situation Room on Monday, bringing together top officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. The urgent briefing followed reports of an Iranian missile attack targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

According to a senior White House official, both the White House and Pentagon are monitoring military developments across Qatar, Iraq, and the broader Middle East.

Iran’s military publicly claimed responsibility for the strike, and a U.S. official confirmed that missiles were launched toward the U.S. base. While damage assessments are ongoing, the move signals a major escalation in the growing conflict that has already seen Israel and Iran exchange fire for nearly two weeks.

This comes days after the U.S. entered the fray with direct strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, following Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Analysts now warn that Iran appears willing to widen the conflict, targeting not just Israel, but American troops and U.S. allies throughout the region.

Qatari officials confirmed the attempted strike, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari calling it a “flagrant violation” of the nation’s sovereignty. He stated that Qatar’s air defense systems intercepted the incoming missiles and vowed the country “reserves the right to respond in accordance with international law.”

Middle East experts say Iran’s leadership faces a complex challenge: respond with strength to preserve national pride, but avoid provoking overwhelming retaliation from the U.S. “How do you save face without losing your head?” asked Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Taleblu noted that Iran’s missile capabilities have been significantly damaged by Israeli strikes, with estimates suggesting that nearly 40% of the country’s launch systems have been destroyed.

This latest development marks a dangerous turning point in the region's volatility, raising fears of a broader war that could involve multiple nations and redraw alliances.