The United States and Qatar are preparing for a possible Iranian attack, one that may come in retaliation for a possible U.S. military mission, which President Donald Trump has publicly threatened.
The U.S. military’s largest base in the Middle East, al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses roughly 10,000 troops, has begun moving out some personnel due to the anticipated Iranian response, according to the New York Times. It was also the target of Iran’s telegraphed retaliation after U.S. forces carried out strikes on three of its nuclear facilities last year.
Trump has threatened a military response should Iran continue its forceful crackdown on protests throughout Iran. The death toll is unclear due to the regime’s media blackout across the country, though it’s believed to be north of 2,000.
Qatar’s international media office said in a press release that it “reaffirms that the State of Qatar continues to implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities.”
Citing reports about the departure of “certain personnel” from the air base, the Qatar IMO said that “such messages are being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.”
U.S. Central Command declined to comment.
Trump has a number of options for what he could do in Iran, ranging from kinetic options, as he used in June 2025, or something more along the lines of cyberattacks and trying to restore the internet.
He ordered the military to target three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last June during the Israel-Iran 12-Day War. With Iran’s nuclear program and military arsenal weaker after that attack, the U.S. has a smaller presence in the region compared to last year due to the deployments of assets to the Caribbean.
WHAT ARE TRUMP’S MILITARY OPTIONS FOR IRAN?
Following the U.S. operations targeting Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities, Iranian forces launched short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles at Al-Udeid Air Base. The U.S. was able to evacuate most of the personnel ahead of the retaliatory operation, and no personnel were injured or killed.
Only 44 troops were left to defend the base, while the rest were evacuated. Even though the Iranian response was calibrated to ensure there wouldn’t be U.S. escalation, Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said they believe it was the “largest single Patriot engagement in the U.S. military.”
