Iran's symbolic response - warning US and Qatar in advance - very promising for the conflict to end if Israel reciprocates by stopping its attacks
Iran responded in a symbolic way, telling the US and Qatar hours in advance that it would attack their bases. This is very promising. It suggests they want to draw a line under this if Israel will too.
Video:
On YouTube: Iran's symbolic response - warning US and Qatar in advance - very promising for the conflict to end
Trump has never been a hawk. Trump presents this as “Peace through strength” as a way to end the war and bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
That’s the messaging of his tweets about this incident.
TEXT ON GRAPHIC: CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!
I’d like to thank the Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region. Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded. Thank you for your attention to this matter
Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered. There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was “set free,” because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their “system,” and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tweets: Congratulations world, Thank Emir for Qatar, Iran has officially responded
This is a common form of diplomacy amongst weaker military nations. They do symbolic strikes like this so they have something to show to their people and this is how they de-escalate with both sides retaining their dignity and pride.
US and Israel would expect this. If Iran was to just do nothing then they seem very weak to their own people. It’s done basically as theatre for their own population mainly. It is the normal way to end conflict in the Middle East.
Israel has continued with its campaign since the US strike but says it expects to end it in days as a result of the US strikes.
The war can then end after Iran stops any remaining symbolic retaliatory strikes.
And hopefully once this is all over - people will do a bit of a stock-take and realize that Russia and China didn't do anything to help Iran militarily, they are not allies and this whole "Axis of evil" thing is a myth.
It is one of those things will be assessed by what happens next.
I think on the evidence so far - Iran also say they are keen to return to the negotiating table - perhaps future historians will say he made a right call. The most important thing is that there were no civilian deaths or risk to civilians from the US bombings.
Iran strikes on Quatar were symbolic, warning US and Qatar in advance to prepare for them and warn their civilians etc.
QUOTE Three Iranian officials familiar with the plans said that Iran gave advanced notice that attacks were coming, as a way to minimize casualties. The officials said Iran symbolically needed to strike back at the U.S. but at the same time carry it out in a way that allowed all sides an exit ramp; they described it as a similar strategy to 2020 when Iran gave Iraq heads up before firing ballistic missiles at an American base in Iraq following the assassination of its top general.
Farnaz Fassihi
June 23, 2025, 1:08 p.m. ET
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/23/world/iran-trump-israel-news
No damage to the base and no casualties reported so far.
A Defense official said that a combination of medium range and ballistic missiles were intercepted and that there is no known damage to al Udeid Air Base.
...
The U.S. Defense Department confirmed that Iran fired multiple short- and medium-range missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. “At this time, there are no reports of U.S. casualties,” the Pentagon said in a statement. “We are monitoring this situation closely.”
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/23/world/iran-trump-israel-news
Then from its side Israel is ready to stop too.
Israel expects to end the war in days (as of June 23, 2025)
This is from before the symbolic Iran attacks on Qatar.
Wall Street Journal reports:
Israel has told Iran via mediators that it is in the process of wrapping up its bombing campaign after the US mission
Iran still feels it has to respond to the Sunday bombings
Israeli officials hope Iran wil agree to restart diplomacy
According to the WSJ:
Israel hope the American and Israeli strikes will push Iran back to the negotiating table
Hopes Iran will ultimately accept an end to its nuclear program.
If Israel determines that Tehran is trying to rebuild its program, Israel will send the air force in to strike again.
Channel 12 reports:
Israel can unilaterally declare it achieved its waraims and Iran will later end its missile strikes, OR
US can announce that both sides agreed to a ceasefire - Israel sees this as less desirable.
Times of Israel was told by an Israeli official:
“It depends on Iran, not on us. We are happy to wrap it up now; if there’s an agreement at the end, Israel will be content with the result.”
President Netanyahu said:
“When the objectives are achieved, then the operation is complete and the fighting will stop… we are moving step by step towards achieving these goals. We are very, very close to completing them.”
All of this based on reporting from Times of Israel which provides an Israeli perspective but is reliable on reporting things like this.
Similar to when Trump ordered assassination of Soleimani and Iran responded in 2020
It's very similar to the Soleimani case. My debunks:
BLOG: US not building up to attack on Iran & Iran doesn’t want to attack the US on Soleimani anniversary
BLOG: Mark Esper US secretary of defense says they killed Soleimani because of an imminent risk to US citizens within days
— this makes a difference to the legality under international law of armed conduct
BLOG: US killed Soleimani confirmed
— big step in for tat with Iran
— open war unlikely
— no WWIII
SEE ALSO
Short videos to help people see they are safe from the war in Iran
I’ve done lots of short videos for my longer blog post. They may be more accessible to panicking people.
You are safe after US strike on Iran - it can't start a world war - nobody will support Iran - Iran can't do anything - less risk than Trump's 2018 attack on Syria's chemical weapons factory
That metaphorical hailstorm in summer I mentioned has happened in my last blog post. Trump has authorized the strikes as you likely now know. As I said in my last blog post
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This is not like a typical post on substack. It is specifically to help people who are very scared with voluntary fact checking. Please no politically motivated exaggerations here. And please be careful, be aware of the context.
We have a rule in the Facebook group and it is the same here.
If you are scared and need help it is absolutely fine to comment about anything to do with the topic of the post that scares you.
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Thanks!
Ahh, the need for chest beating.