By Nyla Adams
AFRO Intern
Iran fired back on June 23 in an attack meant to respond to the June 21 bombings of three Iranian nuclear facilities carried out by United States officials.
Missiles were fired at Al Udeid Air Base, an U.S. military base in Qatar, which houses around 10,000 troops on June 23. According to information released by the Associated Press, a Defense Department official has confirmed that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Iranian President Masoud Prezeshkian spoke publicly about the attack on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.
“We neither initiated the war nor wanted it but we will not leave the aggression against the great Iran without an answer,” said Prezeshkian.
Officials have confirmed that the attack led to no casualties.
The attack against the U.S. military base happened hours after Qatar closed their airspace and American Nationals were ordered to shelter in place by the U.S. Embassy. The Iran attack matched the same amount of bombs dropped by the United States over the weekend, possibly showing a desire to de-esclate.
VoteVets Senior Advisor Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton said “it was beyond predictable that Iran would retaliate and Trump now owns American lives being in danger.”
“Claims by this administration that Iran’s nuclear program has been ‘obliterated’ are as credible as George W. Bush’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ sign,” said Eaton, in a statement sent to the AFRO. “Republicans in Congress need to grow a spine and demand the Administration present a clear and concrete plan for de-escalation. No one wants to see a nuclear armed Iran, but another failed forever war with no strategy isn’t the answer – especially one led by reckless leaders taking their cues from social media.”
Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.-District 6), in a statement released via Meta (Facebook), called out the president for his actions on June 21 against Iran.
“Trump promised to be a peacemaker and vowed to avoid plunging the U.S. into more wars in the Middle East. This attack is inconsistent with his promise to the American people,” he said.
“President Trump’s unilateral decision to attack Iran without Congressional approval is unconstitutional and unwise. This move, a rash sequel to his withdrawal from the nuclear deal, puts our nation, our troops, and innocents at grave risk.”
U.S. Officials have reported that other bases in the Middle East including Bahrain have received word of imminent threats from Iran.
“I believe Trump’s attack on Iran, hitting three reported nuclear targets, is tantamount to a declaration of war,” said Congresswomen Maxine Waters (D- Calif.- District 43), in a statement.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D – AL – District 07) also spoke on the bombings.
“The Constitution is clear. Only Congress has the power to declare war,” she said in a statement. “President Trump’s unilateral military action in Iran, without congressional approval, is unconstitutional. It puts U.S. forces and our diplomatic personnel in peril, and brings us dangerously close to all out war in the Middle East.”
The Defense Department official reports the U.S. is continuing to monitor the situation.