Trump urges ‘peace and harmony’ as Iran hits US base in Qatar

Irish Cabinet to consider new law based on the Occupied Territories Bill 

US president Donald Trump was responding after Iranian missiles hit the Al Udeid United States Air Force base in Qatar. Picture: Carlos Barria//AP 

Donald Trump has urged Iran to “proceed to peace and harmony” after it fired missiles at a US base in Qatar in retaliation for America bombing its nuclear sites.

Qatar’s defence ministry said Iran launched seven missiles at the Al Udeid US airbase, with another 12 in a second wave, 11 of which were thwarted. 

Its interior ministry said some debris fell in residential areas, but no casualties were recorded.

The US president thanked Iran for giving America notice prior to the missile attack which, he said, made it possible for no lives — both Qatari and American — to be lost.

No casualties were recorded after the Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid air base in Qatar. File picture

“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to peace and harmony in the region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” he said in a social media post. In a later post, he added: “Congratulations world, it’s time for peace.”

Iran had issued threats to retaliate against the US after bombers dropped 30,000lb bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel’s air war against Tehran. Mr Trump mooted the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled.

Iran, which had been warned by Washington not to retaliate had informed the US via two diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack, as well as Qatari authorities, a senior regional source told Reuters.

A number of gulf nations closed their air space for a time following the attack on Qatar but they opened again a number of hours later.

New law based on Occupied Territories Bill  

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris will bring the heads of what will be known as the Israeli Settlements Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill 2025 to Cabinet on Tuesday.

The Government legislation is based on a similar Occupied Territories Bill, but it will only include a ban on the trade of goods and not services.

The Tánaiste said legal clarity is needed on whether or not it is possible to include services and that he has asked the attorney general to advise on this, however he does not want to see the bill delayed. He said: 

We will bring draft legislation because we are not waiting in Ireland, we are not waiting, the children of Gaza have waited far too long. 

Mr Harris was speaking while attending a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels where the EU’s trade agreement with Israel was discussed.

The proposed legislation will make any import from the Occupied Palestinian Territory an offence under the Customs Act 2015, the main legislation dealing with all customs offences.

The provisions of the Customs Act 2015 with respect to matters including powers of entry, inspection, search, arrest, seizure, and forfeiture of goods will apply to the importation of goods from Israeli settlements in the OPT. In practical terms therefore, the provisions of the bill will be enforced by customs officers.

While foreign ministers did not on take action following the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the matter will again be discussed when the Taoiseach attends an EU Council later this week.

Micheál Martin said: “There should be consequences in the context of the Israeli European Union Association Agreement and we will certainly be working with other like-minded countries at the European Union to seek movement on that.”