US moved aircraft, military equipment from Qatar to Saudi Arabia before attack, source says
The US moved aircraft and heavy equipment from Qatar's Al-Udeid base to stations in Saudi Arabia in the lead up to Iran's retaliatory strike, an official from the region told Middle East Eye.
The move, the official said, suggests that the US believed Saudi Arabia would not be targeted by Iranian strikes and points to coordination with Iran to limit the fallout of the attack.
US and Iranian officials indirectly coordinated the attack with Qatar acting as an intermediary, the official said. The two sides engaged with Qatar acting as a go-between on Sunday.
The movement of US assets to Saudi Arabia and reports of coordination point to an effort to de-escalate tensions by Iran.
Oil prices plunged after the attack in a sign it was widely viewed as deescalatory by the market. The international benchmark Brent was down 5.7 percent after the strike, trading at $71.11 per barrel.
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The US began evacuating Al-Udeid last week, Arab and US officials told MEE. The move however suggests that the US had a good understanding of where Iran would potentially target US assets.
Al-Udeid hosts roughly 10,000 US soldiers and serves as the regional headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM).
US President Donald Trump confirmed a few hours after the attack that Iran had given prior notice, which he credited with preventing civilian casualties. Trump used the strike to call for de-escalation, saying he would ask Israel to stop its attacks on Iran, also.
"They have gotten it out of their 'system' and there will, hopefully, be no further hate," he wrote. "I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody injured."
"Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same," he said.
The US has bases across the Gulf. Iran's decision to target Al-Udeid could be strategic by Tehran, as it seeks to minimise blowback from the Gulf to its attack.
Qatar and Iran share South Pars, the world's largest natural gas field.
Doha has historically enjoyed more cordial relations with Tehran than Saudi Arabia and the UAE, billing itself as a mediator to regional conflicts.
Saudi Arabia is further from Iran than Qatar, and much bigger, making US bases there a more difficult target. Saudi Arabia and Iran were engaged in simmering proxy conflicts, including in Yemen until recently. They have since engaged in a painstaking rapproachment.
Iran's decision to target Al-Udeid may be a sign that it was looking to limit blowback from Riyadh over any strikes.
Qatar condemned Iran's attack as a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty shortly after the strike.
Foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari called for an "immediate cessation of all military actions".
Iran's security council said the attack was not against "brotherly" Qatar.
"This action does not pose any threat to the friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and continuing warm and historic relations with Qatar," the council said in a statement.
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