The Pentagon revealed on Thursday that U.S. forces conducted a preemptive evacuation of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar shortly before it was targeted by an Iranian missile strike, describing the move as a critical success in averting casualties and damage.

According to General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the evacuation was carried out based on direct orders from former President Donald Trump, following intelligence indicating an imminent attack. Kane praised the operation as a “major achievement,” noting that U.S. air defenses successfully intercepted the incoming missiles before they reached the base2.

The strike was part of a broader Iranian response to recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on nuclear and military facilities inside Iran. In parallel, American forces launched precision airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility, which was reportedly destroyed, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth described the mission as “one of the most complex in U.S. military history,” emphasizing that the strikes were based on accurate intelligence and achieved their strategic objectives without escalating into full-scale war.

The Pentagon’s disclosure comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf, with Washington reaffirming its commitment to protecting its regional assets while avoiding broader conflict.