CNN’s Clarissa Ward on Monday assessed that Iran’s strikes on U.S. military bases were “largely symbolic” and may not result in further escalation.
“I think people are sort of breathing a little bit of a sigh of relief,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper after the attacks. “The understanding we have is that this was carefully telegraphed to the Qataris. The Qataris, of course, then telegraphed it to the Americans. And so, this was largely symbolic.”
“Carefully calibrated by Iran to the Qataris,” Cooper said.
“Carefully calibrated by Iran in order that there would be no casualties but it’s still a display of force,” Ward said. “They can market internally for their domestic audience as a big success.”
Iran launched at least six missiles at an American military base in Qatar, according to multiple news outlets and Iranian state media. Witnesses reported explosions in the skies in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Qatari air defenses intercepted the attack and no injuries or casualties were reported, per Qatar’s defense ministry. The Al Udeid Air Base is America’s largest in the Middle East and is home to about 10,000 U.S. troops.
Iran also reportedly fired at least one missile at U.S. military installations in Iraq. It’s not confirmed if defense systems there intercepted that strike, or whether there were any casualties or injuries.
The attacks were in response to the U.S. striking three Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday — the first time it has bombed Iran — in a stated attempt to cripple Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and potentially build nuclear weapons. Iran is not currently making nuclear weapons and would still be years away, according to reported U.S. intelligence assessments.
President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed more strikes if Iran retaliates against the U.S. Now that it’s happened, how the U.S. responds could lead America into a larger Middle East war.
