Pentagon confirms Iranian ballistic missile struck US air base in Qatar
'Al Udeid Air Base remains fully operational and capable of conducting its mission,' spokesman Parnell tells Anadolu

WASHINGTON
The Pentagon confirmed Friday that one ballistic missile fired by Iran last month struck US' Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
"One Iranian ballistic missile impacted Al Udeid Air Base June 23 while the remainder of the missiles were intercepted by U.S. and Qatari air defense systems," chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to Anadolu.
Parnell said the impact did "minimal damage" to equipment and structures on the base, adding there were no injuries.
"Al Udeid Air Base remains fully operational and capable of conducting its mission, alongside our Qatari partners, to provide security and stability in the region," he added.
Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the air base marking a dramatic escalation in tensions following the US targeting of three Iranian nuclear sites on June 21.
Following the incident, US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US forces in the region, said American forces, alongside Qatar, "successfully" defended against the attack.
US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine told the reporters on June 26 that repelling the attack on the air base was "the largest single Patriot engagement in US military history."
Caine said the US military was joined in protecting the installation by Qatari Patriot crews as well. While Caine wouldn't say how many Patriot missiles were launched, he did say there was "a lot of metal flying around."