A senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stark warning to the United States, citing a previously undisclosed June strike on a key American military installation in Qatar as evidence of Tehran’s capacity to respond to external aggression. Ali Shamkhani, who also serves as a former defense minister, utilized social media platform X to deliver his message directly to Washington.
The advisory specifically referenced the Al Udeid Air Base incident, characterizing it as a measured response to U.S. support for Israeli military operations against Iran earlier this year. This revelation comes amid escalating tensions in the region and repeated refusals by American officials to rule out additional military engagement with Iran.
Shamkhani’s personal experience adds credibility to his warning—the former minister survived severe injuries from an Israeli strike, providing him with firsthand understanding of regional conflict dynamics. The Al Udeid base represents one of America’s most significant military assets in the Middle East, housing thousands of troops and serving as a critical operations center for U.S. Central Command.
The disclosure underscores Tehran’s strategic positioning and willingness to engage in asymmetric warfare against superior military powers. This development occurs against a backdrop of increased regional instability and demonstrates Iran’s continued pursuit of assertive foreign policy measures despite international pressure and sanctions.