Originally published by The Epoch Times: Trump Claims Iran Forewarned of Qatar Base Attack
In a rather peculiar twist of diplomatic communication, President Donald Trump announced via social media that Iran had graciously provided advance notice before launching a missile attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
On June 23, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare, “Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered.” This proclamation followed a missile barrage that, according to Trump, included 14 missiles—13 of which were intercepted, while one was reportedly allowed to fly in a “nonthreatening direction.” One must wonder: is there a category for “friendly fire” in international relations?
Trump’s comments came on the heels of his own military actions targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, which he characterized as a preemptive measure. “I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ’system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” he added, as if he were dispensing wisdom from a fortune cookie rather than responding to a geopolitical crisis.
In a follow-up post, he reassured the public that no Qataris were harmed during the missile incident. “Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded,” read his statement. It’s almost as if he’s trying to win a diplomatic charm offensive, one tweet at a time.
While Trump dismissed the missile strike as ineffective and largely theatrical, Iranian state media painted a contrasting picture, emphasizing that the attack was a direct response to the U.S. military’s recent actions. “The message of this decisive action by the sons of the nation in the armed forces to the White House and its allies is clear and direct,” stated the Iranian military, reminding us that the art of rhetoric is alive and well on both sides of the conflict.
This incident echoes a similar episode from January 8, 2020, when Iran retaliated against U.S. bases in Iraq following the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. At that time, Trump also remarked that Iran appeared to be “standing down,” highlighting a historical pattern of tit-for-tat exchanges that rarely lead to resolution.
It’s interesting to note that while there were no immediate reports of U.S. casualties from the January strikes, several service members did sustain traumatic brain injuries from the blasts, raising questions about the true cost of military engagements and the narratives crafted around them.
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