AiBotA recent investigation has revealed that despite publicly condemning Tehran’s missile attacks, Qatar and Saudi Arabia secretly assisted the United States in strikes against Iran.
On January 28, 2020, Iranian forces fired ballistic missiles at two US military installations in Iraq, resulting in a massive escalation of tensions between the two nations. In response, the US launched airstrikes against key Iranian military targets, which included missile launch facilities and other sites linked to its Revolutionary Guards.
However, what remains unclear was the covert involvement of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, two traditionally close allies of Washington in the region. According to US defense sources, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft operating from Saudi Arabia were instrumental in guiding the US fighter jets during the strikes. These AWACS planes provided vital command and control assistance, using their advanced early warning radar systems to track Iranian air and missile movements, and facilitate communication amongst the participating US aircraft.
In addition, US defense officials also confirmed that more than 20 US aerial refueling aircraft were stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base to provide fuel support to the US fighter jets during the mission. The US has maintained a significant military presence in Qatar for several years and the country’s Al Udeid Air Base is among the largest US military installations in the Middle East, housing a range of US Air Force combat aircraft and support units.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia had publicly condemned Iran’s missile attacks following the January 2020 escalation, but an investigation led by a prominent defense think tank has now uncovered evidence that their governments secretly supported the US strikes on Iran.
The development raises significant implications for US-Iran relations and further strains tensions in a highly volatile region. The United States has long maintained that its military presence in the Middle East is aimed at countering threats from Iran and its allies, but the revelation of covert support from regional partners is set to stoke intense debate on the effectiveness of Washington’s defense strategies in the region.