The US announced the opening of a new center at Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base to coordinate air and missile defense in the region, as US President Donald Trump threatened intervention over protests in Iran.

Axar.az informs, citing Al Arabiya, seventeen countries are active at the military facility in Qatar, according to a US Central Command (CENTCOM) statement released on Tuesday.

The new Middle Eastern Air Defense – Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC) located in the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) includes personnel from the US and regional partners.

“This is a significant step forward in strengthening regional defense cooperation,” Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, was quoted as saying.

“This cell will improve how regional forces coordinate and share air and missile defense responsibilities across the Middle East,” he added.

The US Air Force Central (AFCENT) staff will work with regional partners to plan multinational exercises, conduct drills, and respond to contingencies, CENTCOM added.