Iran Has Fired Missiles At US Bases in Iraq
Iran launched over a dozen missiles at two American bases, Asad and Erbil, in Iraq early Wednesday, according to Iranian official news media and United States officials. The military strike marks the beginning of what Iran claims will be a “fierce revenge” for the Trump administration’s assassination of Iranian General Qassim Suleimani last Thursday.
“The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards has begun,” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement.
The Department of Defense issued a statement on the attack: “At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. 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 at Al-Assad and Irbil. We are working on initial battle damage assessments.”
DoD: As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.
Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 8, 2020
There were no immediate reports of casualties, according to the New York Times.
According to NBC News Tehran Bureau Chief & correspondent Ali Arouzi, the IRGC said that Ayatollah Khamenei is in control centre cordinating attacks. The Ayatollah says he does not see any difference between America and Israel in this conflict, according to Arouzi.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force issued a warning that they will attack Haifa in Israel and Dubai if the United States retaliates:
Iran is warning that if there is retaliation for the two waves of attacks they launched their 3rd wave will destroy Dubai and Haifa.#iran #Soleimani #war
— Ali Arouzi (@aliarouzi) January 8, 2020
The IRGC also threatened to attack other countries the US uses to attack Iranian targets:
#Iran's #IRGC statement just now warns that it will attack countries and bases from which the US attacks Iranian targets. Saudis, Emirati, Qataris are going to have to tread carefully. https://t.co/7kiWvdgd0f
— Sharmine Narwani (@snarwani) January 8, 2020
However, Iran reportedly said it will stop its attacks if there is no retaliation from the United States.
Iran is saying that if there is no retaliation from America for these latest attacks then they will stop attacking. But if America attacks then their response will be crushing and wide spread. #iran #soleimani #war
— Ali Arouzi (@aliarouzi) January 8, 2020
Iraq has sanctioned the attack, making it technically within the bounds of international law, according to sources in the Baghdad Military Command and Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) speaking with Citizen Truth’s Catherine Shakdam. The PMU has reportedly joined the operation.
#alasad base is being hit now with indirect fire, rounds are still coming in, about 30 so far, according to a military source #BreakingNews #Iraq
— Carla Babb (@CarlaBabbVOA) January 7, 2020
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said that the president has been briefed on the situation.
“We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. “The president has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.”
We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) January 7, 2020
I am told from US official these are short range ballistic or cruise missiles being fired from Iranian territory at multiple US bases and targets inside Iraq. https://t.co/xKh2NPiDyz
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 7, 2020
Iranian officials said the attacks began at 1:20 a.m., the time that General Suleimani was killed by an American drone at the Baghdad airport on Friday.
Trump promised that the assassination of Soleimani would deter Iran. Instead – as many predicted – it has led to Iran striking back. Missiles were shot from Iran hitting US bases in Iraq.
This is a nightmare.
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) January 7, 2020
