How 10,000 US troops escaped death as Iranian warplanes closed in on major base

By Tolulope Oke

Iranian warplanes were reportedly just two minutes away from bombing a major United States military base hosting about 10,000 troops before Qatari fighter jets intercepted and shot them down.

According to a report by CNN, Iran dispatched two Sukhoi Su‑24 tactical bombers toward the Al Udeid Air Base early Monday morning.

The aircraft were also said to be heading toward Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key natural gas processing hub in the Gulf state.

CNN further disclosed that the Iranian planes were carrying bombs and guided munitions and were flying extremely low, about 80 feet above ground level, in an apparent attempt to evade radar detection.

Qatari authorities reportedly tried to contact the aircraft by radio but received no response.

Fighter jets from the Qatar Emiri Air Force were then scrambled, and an F‑15 Eagle jet shot down the two bombers before they could reach their targets.

The report said the Iranian planes crashed into Iranian territorial waters.

The Al Udeid Air Base is the largest American military base in the Middle East. It houses the headquarters of United States Central Command, the United States Air Forces Central Command, and the Royal Air Force’s 83rd Expeditionary Air Group.

The development comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with several Gulf states hosting Western military bases that could become targets in the conflict involving Iran.

Meanwhile, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council have called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis while affirming the right of Gulf states to defend themselves.

In a joint statement after a virtual meeting of foreign ministers, both groups stressed their commitment to regional stability, the protection of civilians and respect for international law.

The conflict has also begun to affect global supply chains. According to shipping data platform MarineTraffic, container vessels heading to major Gulf ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait have been stranded due to the ongoing hostilities.

The disruption is expected to affect food supplies for more than 50 million people in the region, which imports over 90 percent of its food.

European countries are also reacting to the escalating crisis. France, Italy and Greece have agreed to coordinate the deployment of military assets to Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean to help secure maritime routes.