Qatar says response to Iran attack is a 'sovereign' issue

Qatar said on Monday that its response to the Iranian attack on Al Udeid U.S. airbase in the Gulf country is a "sovereign" issue, after Iran attacked the base in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran launched a missile attack on an American air base in Qatar on Monday that caused no injuries, and U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed it as a "weak response" to U.S. attacks while urging Iran and Israel to make peace after 11 days of mutual hostilities.

The attack on Al Udeid Air Base in neighboring Qatar threatened to widen a conflict that began on June 13 with an Israeli strike on Iran targeting its nuclear program and ballistic missiles.

Iran had threatened to retaliate against the United States after U.S. bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel's air war against Iran, and Trump had raised the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled.

"We did not assault anyone, and we will never accept being assaulted by anyone," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement. "We will not submit to anyone’s aggression – this is the logic of the Iranian nation."

Iran gave advance notice to the U.S. via diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack, as well as to Qatari authorities. Trump seized on that as a positive sign.

"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 wrote on his Truth Social media site. "Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same."

Trump says Israel and Iran agree to 'total ceasefire'

(Production: Imad Creidi)