In response to Suleimani's assassination: Iran has launched missiles at US bases in Iraq

Revolutionary Guards launched 15 missiles at two bases and threatened to extend the operation to Israel if the US responds. However, US officials said there were no casualties, and Trump hinted he would contain it: "Everything is good!" Khamenei also said: "The attack was successful" Iran says: "We have eliminated 80 terrorists"

In response to Suleimani's assassination: Iran has launched missiles at US bases in Iraq

Iran launched missiles Wednesday night at two bases in Iraq where US forces are stationed in response to the assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani. According to US officials, there were no casualties in the attack, which was Tehran's most direct action against Washington since the 1979 US embassy took over. This is despite the statements of the Islamic regime, which continued to demand the departure of American forces from the region.

Missiles were launched despite US President Donald Trump's warnings against backlash in case Iran avenge Suleimani's assassination. However, both sides have broadcast that it may take sufficient steps to date, at least in the near future.

"The casualties and damage assessment is being done now. So far, everything seems to be going well. We have the most powerful and equipped army in the world," Trump wrote on Twitter. At noon, in the morning of the United States, he is expected to make a statement on recent events that have plunged oil prices globally, but these have come to light in response to Washington and Tehran's reactions.

Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, said "the attack was successful." At a ceremony in the holy city of Qom, Khamenei said the night attack was a "slap in the face" of the United States, which he originally blamed for corruption in the area. He called her to withdraw her powers, and denied the possibility of talks on the nuclear program. He said: "Suleimani's killing has shown that the Islamic revolution is still alive." He added that the United States is working against Hezbollah, which it called "Lebanon's eyes and hands," to help Israel.

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Flash in the skies of the base area in Ein al-Assad during the night attack (Photo: Reuters)

Iranian attack on Iran's al-Assad base in Iraq, January 8, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The attack was called the "martyr Suleimani", who was finally buried in his hometown of Raman last night, following the mass funeral campaign, the largest in the history of the Islamic Republic. More than 50 people were trampled to death yesterday at the ceremony. "His revenge has been taken and now he can rest in peace," Iranian television reported. With further symbolism, the missiles were launched at the same time it was eliminated, 1:30 p.m. He was buried in the "martyr's section" in the city cemetery.

Iran has also claimed that the United States suffered casualties, and residents reported coming out to celebrate on the streets. According to official Iranian television, "80 American terrorists" were killed in the attack, which "severely" damaged helicopters and military equipment. It has also been reported that Iran has "a hundred more targets" on its target if the United States chooses to respond. A senior leader said a "missile attack against US forces in Iraq was the 'weakest' response in our arsenal."

US officials told the Associated Press that Iran had launched a total of 15 missiles. Ten of them hit the air base of Ein al-Assad and one at the base of Barbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. Four others did not hit their target, added the officials, who spoke anonymously. Iranian media reported dozens of ground-based missiles from the Kiam and Zulfikar missiles launched at US targets in Iraq on several waves.

Two Iraqi security officials have told AP that at least one of the missiles hit the base of Ein al-Assad, which Trump visited in December 2018. It is about 60 kilometers west of Baghdad. The officials added that at this point, no casualties were known, Reports during the night that Iraqi military personnel were killed.

Trump: "Everything's fine!"

Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Asper arrived tonight. A White House spokeswoman said President Trump was updated with details and managing the situation and that Vice President Mike Pence was in contact with congressional leaders. The State Department said Pompeo had spoken to Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Masar Barzani following Iran's missile attacks, and that he and "Prime Minister Barazani have agreed to keep close contact with the situation."

The Pentagon said in response to the attack that at least ten missiles had been launched at the base and that the missiles had been fired from Iran. In addition, the Pentagon said that a US-populated base was also being attacked in the northern Irbil area. The US Department of Defense also said they would "take every measure to protect the United States, its partners and allies in the area. Hours before the attack, the Secretary of Defense said Washington was anticipating Iran's response.

The Fox News reported that a source in the Pentagon said that most missiles launched by Iran had missed their target. The US Aviation Authority said they were closely monitoring what was happening in the Middle East, "to identify potential civil aviation hazards." In the morning, it was reported that a Ukrainian airplane taking off from Tehran crashed following a technical malfunction in the airport area of ​​Iran's capital, carrying 180 passengers.

Democratic party representatives in Congress and candidates in the party primaries warned of escalating the conflict. "We must ensure the safety of our troops, including ending the unnecessary provocations of the administration and demanding that Iran stop conducting violence. America and the world cannot afford war," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Senior officials came to consultations. White House, tonight (Photo: Reuters)

White House after launching Iranian missiles at US forces bases in Iraq, January 8, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The Quds Force commander, who was responsible for the Revolutionary Guards' operation across Iran's borders, was seen as a hero by many Iranians, including those who are not considered a supporter of the regime. Khamenei, who was close to him, promised "powerful revenge." According to a New York Times report, he ordered the attack to be directed by Iranian forces, rather than through organizations across the region as it often does, and proportionately. The calls for revenge on Suleimani's assassination came from all corners of the political spectrum in Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Zarif also hinted that Tehran would settle for this response if the United States did not respond to it. "Iran has taken proportionate measures out of self-defense. We are not seeking escalation or war, but we will defend ourselves against aggression," he wrote. At the same time, Iran turned to the UN, saying it was "not interested in war" but "cautioned against military adventures against it". Iran's Minister of Communications made it clear what Iran's long-term goal was when he wrote on Twitter: "Get the hell out of our region."

Revolutionary Guards said they expected the United States to withdraw its forces in the region, and that they would not hesitate to attack American bases in other countries. The organization, which was put on the United States terror list last year, warned US allies of the region, threatening to attack states that would help Americans carry out attacks against Iran. In a statement from the Revolutionary Guards, they added that "Israel is also part of the American government that eliminated Suleimani." Iranian news sources quoted sources in the Iranian regime as saying that "Hizbullah will hit Israel if the United States responds."

Following the attacks, a former Iranian official posted on Twitter a picture of the Iranian flag, presumably as an imitation of Trump's post after Suleimani's assassination and senior Iraqi militias in Baghdad last Friday.

The funeral procession is over. Suleimani's body is buried tonight (Photo: Reuters)

Qassem Suleimani's body is buried in Carman Iran, January 8, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Following Suleimani's assassination of Iraqi soil, as well as the chain of events that preceded it, including the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, the attack by the Hizbullah militia by the United States, and the killing of the American civilian, the country became a scene of conflict between the United States and Iran.

The assassination, which also killed Abu Mahdi al-Mohands commander of Shiite militias, strengthened the calls for the removal of American forces and united among the Shiite factions. Earlier this week, they voted in favor of a proposal calling on the government to ask the United States to withdraw its powers. Although Prime Minister Adil Abdel Mahdi said he received the letter from the United States Army on the withdrawal letter, the Pentagon rejected it. Trump has even threatened to crack down on Iraq if it calls for the United States to withdraw.

Rocket fire over Ein al Assad military base (Photo: Reuters)

Rocket fire at Ein al Assad military base on January 8, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Trump said this was not the right time to withdraw US forces from Iraq. "In the end, we want to be able to let Iraq manage its affairs, which is very important. So at some point we want to get out. But that's not the right time," Trump said hours before the attack. Trump added that withdrawal from the United States would be "the worst thing that could happen to Iraq," on the grounds that it would give Iran more influence over the region. However, he made it clear that he hoped the United States would not remain there indefinitely.

More than 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq alongside other foreign forces, as part of a coalition that trained and backed Iraqi security forces against the threat of Islamic State (ISIS) militants expected to profit from the chaos. A German army spokesman said about 115 German soldiers were stationed in Erbil, and none were injured.

(First Update 1:28)