Tobias Sylvester
Iranian government has fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops days after President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed its top leader, General Qassem Soleimani.
The attack was launched about 5:30 p.m on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, and the targeted bases where at Ain al-Asad and Irbil.
Us Defense Department said there was no question about the source of the missiles because the Iranian government has already claimed responsibility immediately after the attacks.
“It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
It was unclear whether there was any damage to Ain al-Asad air base, which President Donald Trump visited in 2018, or whether there were any deaths or injuries.
The president said in a tweet that “all is well!” and that damages and casualties were being assessed.
“All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning,” he said.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said the country did not “seek escalation of war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
“Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched,” Zarif said in a tweet, referring to the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
The attack comes just days after President Trump ordered an airstrike that killed General Soleimani, a high-profile commander of Iran’s secretive Quds Force.
Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani had vowed that the country “will take harsh revenge” on America for the general’s death.
