Iran launched a missile attack Monday on at the US-run al Udeid air base military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites.

The announcement was made on state television as martial music played, AP reported on Monday. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression.”

Reuters had shortly earlier reported that explosions were heard over Qatar's capital Doha, shortly after a Western diplomat said there had been a credible Iranian threat against the US-run al Udeid air base in the Gulf Arab state since midday.

The diplomat spoke soon after Qatar announced it had closed its air space temporarily to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Earlier, the US embassy in Qatar had advised Americans to shelter in place, out of what it said was "an abundance of caution".

Axios, citing an Israeli official, reported on Monday that Iran had launched several missiles toward US bases in Qatar. At least 10 missiles were launched towards Qatar and at least one missile towards Iraq, the official said.

Iran has issued threats to retaliate against the United States after US bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on the country's underground nuclear installations over the weekend, while President Donald Trump openly raised the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled.

Earlier on Monday, Israel struck a jail for political prisoners in Tehran in a potent demonstration that it was expanding its targets beyond military and nuclear sites to aim squarely at the pillars of Iran's ruling system.

Two US officials said Washington assessed that Iran could carry out attacks targeting American forces in the Middle East soon, although the US is still seeking a diplomatic resolution that would see Tehran forgo any reprisal.

Despite Iran's threats to challenge oil shipments from the Gulf, oil prices largely held steady, suggesting traders doubted the Islamic Republic would follow through on any action that would disrupt global supplies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Tehran sought backing from one of its last major power friends for its next steps.