Satellite imagery of US air base Al-Udeid in Qatar shows the aftermath of the Iranian attack last month. Newly released visuals reveal the damage done to a critical radar enclosure at the site. The images contradict US President Donald Trump’s claims.
Donald Trump has said that 14 missiles were shot by Iran and every single missile was shot out of the air, it was pretty amazing.
Trump, however, denied any damage by the Iranian missiles, but satellite images show the attack damaged the cutting-edge communications hub.
The radome that Iran targeted housed a satellite dish-shaped modernization enterprise terminal, that was installed in 2016.
The communication device costs around $15 million. MET provides secure communication capabilities including voice, video and data services, linking service members in the US Central Command area of responsibility with military leaders around the world.
The device plays a vital role in connecting the separate units during military operations. In a war, the US forces need a reliable communication link, which MET fulfils.
With the communication device damaged, if there is an escalation, the US military would find it difficult to communicate securely with units on ground.
Also read: Iran to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets to counter advanced Israeli air combat technology?
Reportedly, the device was shielded by two US Patriot interceptors and defence systems operated by the Qatari military. Despite the tight ariel defence, and prior warning, Irani weapons managed to slip through and hit the target.
Trump publicly revealed that Iran has informed them about the attack, saying, “And they told us they were coming and where they were and what time they were coming. And they said, if you'd like to have a different time, we'll do that. And that's respect when they do that, I appreciated that they did that. There was no surprise, we got the soldiers out of the base in Qatar in this case, but they knew they were coming. 14 missiles were coming. One o'clock they said, would you like to make it later? I said, no, let them come at one o'clock.”
Qatar is the only country where US has installed the MET, which also has anti-jamming capabilities. So, how did Iran manage to take out the critical communication device?
It's no secret that Iran typically overwhelms enemy air defence systems by launching a barrage of missiles at the same time. And for that, Iran has a huge stockpile of older missiles that do the trick.
But, within the barrage, Iran slips in more advanced, high-precision missiles, that can reach the intended target. The likes of which we have seen during the Iran-Israel war.
Iran has successfully hit 5 military bases and other vital military assets in Israel.
What is interesting in Iran attack on US base in Qatar is that Iran just launched 14 missiles at the military base, and even informed US in advance. So how did they manage to reach the communication device?
Experts believe, Iran's advance warning to the US was also a deception tactic. The US was prepared to intercept the missiles, while Iran likely also launched drones that were aimed at the MET.
While the US and Qatar defence systems engaged the missiles, Iran’s drone slipped through and hit the radome.
That way, leaders in Tehran were able to show their people, that they retaliated to the US bombing of its nuclear enrichment facilities.
