Iran Launches Missile Attack on US Military Base in Retaliation Strike

Date: June 15, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C. / Tehran

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Iran launched a missile strike early Sunday morning targeting a US military base in the region, reportedly in retaliation for recent airstrikes on its nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel. The attack marks one of the most direct confrontations between the two nations in recent years, raising fears of a broader conflict.

The strike, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time, targeted the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, a key US military installation that houses American personnel and advanced military aircraft. Explosions were reported in and around the base, with several ballistic missiles reportedly intercepted by US and allied defense systems. However, at least two missiles struck inside the base perimeter, according to defense sources.

Casualties and Damage

Initial reports suggest at least 12 US service members were injured, with three in critical condition. The Pentagon confirmed that damage was sustained to infrastructure and logistics equipment but withheld specific details, citing operational security.

“We can confirm that multiple ballistic missiles were launched by Iranian forces toward US military facilities in the region,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Lisa Marshall said in a press briefing. “Our early warning systems allowed for timely response, and several missiles were successfully intercepted by our THAAD and Patriot systems. However, a limited number penetrated our defenses, resulting in injuries and infrastructure damage.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quickly claimed responsibility, describing the attack as a “measured response” to what it called “aggression against the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty and nuclear infrastructure.”

Tehran’s Statement

Iranian state media aired a statement by Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, who declared the strike a “warning shot.”

“Let it be clear: We do not seek war,” said Salami. “But if our sovereignty is violated, we will respond with the full force of the Islamic Republic. Our patience is not infinite. Today’s strike demonstrates that we will not allow our homeland to be attacked without consequence.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a communique shortly afterward, warning that “any further aggression by American or Israeli forces will be met with greater force and range.”

The missile strike follows days of heightened tension after a coordinated US-Israeli operation reportedly crippled Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Though there were no confirmed radiation leaks, Iranian officials labeled the attacks a “gross violation of international law.”

Washington Responds

In Washington, President Donald Trump convened an emergency meeting with national security advisers at the White House. Speaking briefly to reporters on the South Lawn, the president condemned the attack as “unprovoked aggression.”

“Our forces were attacked without justification. The world is watching, and we will respond at a time and in a manner of our choosing,” Trump said. “Iran made a grave mistake tonight.”

Sources inside the National Security Council confirmed that the United States has placed its regional forces on high alert and has mobilized naval assets in the Persian Gulf.

Global Reactions and Fears of Escalation

The United Nations Security Council called for an emergency session to discuss the crisis, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged “maximum restraint” from all sides. “The Middle East cannot afford a new war,” he warned.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the United States, though stopped short of invoking NATO’s Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.

Countries including Russia and China urged both nations to de-escalate. A statement from Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed “serious concern” about the potential for all-out war. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned of a “geopolitical disaster” if diplomacy fails.

Oil prices surged by 6% in the hours following the attack, as markets reacted to fears of supply disruption in the Persian Gulf. Brent crude traded above $92 a barrel, its highest level in over a year.

Military Analysts Warn of Potential Spiral

Defense analysts warned that the situation could spiral if cooler heads do not prevail. “This is a classic tit-for-tat scenario,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The danger is that both sides now feel compelled to respond, and each response risks expanding the scope of the conflict.”

She noted that Iran’s decision to openly claim responsibility for the attack was significant. “Usually Iran uses proxies for deniability. This time, they are signaling that this is state-level retaliation and they’re not hiding it.”

Congress Divided on Response

In the United States, Congressional leaders expressed mixed reactions. Senate Majority Leader Tom Graves (R-TX) called on the president to deliver a “swift and decisive response” to protect American lives and interests. “This cannot go unanswered,” he said on the Senate floor.

Meanwhile, Senator Rachel Cortez (D-CA) urged diplomacy. “We must not be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East,” she said. “Retaliation must be weighed carefully, and international channels should be fully utilized.”

What’s Next?

While the Pentagon is still assessing the full extent of the damage and casualties, all eyes now turn to Washington and Tehran. With tensions at a boiling point, the next 24 to 48 hours could prove decisive.

President Trump is expected to address the nation in a primetime speech tonight. The world watches anxiously, hoping this confrontation does not ignite a broader war in a region already on edge.