Iran claims strike on US-linked early warning radar in Qatar

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it destroyed a high-value early warning radar in Qatar used by US and partner forces to track long-range ballistic missiles, a claim that has not been independently verified.

Qatari authorities said air defenses intercepted 65 ballistic missiles and 12 drones during the attack. Two ballistic missiles reportedly struck the US-operated Al Udeid Air Base, and a drone targeted an early warning radar site. Eight people were injured by falling debris, according to officials.

The radar in question is widely described as an AN/FPS-132 Block 5 early warning radar, part of a strategic, long-range tracking system designed to detect and monitor ballistic missiles over wide areas. Qatar agreed to purchase the system from the United States in 2013 in a deal valued at about $1.1 billion, including equipment, training and long-term support.

Unlike short-range or point-defense radars, the AN/FPS-132 is a fixed, phased-array system built to provide early detection and trajectory tracking of missile launches, feeding data into broader missile defense networks. Its role is to extend warning time, support interception decisions and strengthen layered air and missile defenses across the Gulf.

Neither Qatar nor the United States has confirmed the extent of any damage to the radar site. Analysts note that even if degraded, the broader US missile defense architecture in the region includes space-based warning systems, deployable X-band radars, naval air defense ships, and Patriot and THAAD interceptor batteries.

However, if the radar were significantly damaged, it could reduce early warning depth and compress response timelines for US Central Command operations in the Gulf, increasing pressure on remaining sensors and command systems. The operational impact will depend on confirmed damage assessments and the speed of any repairs.