Reports citing military sources say several rockets have been fired at the Ayn al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq, which houses a large US air base.
Early reports on the situation say anywhere between six to 30 rockets were fired at the base and “rounds are still coming in,” according to VOA News’ Carla Babb.
Iran’s Fars news agency labeled the reported Iranian ballistic missiles fired at the US base as “hard revenge” in a translated social media post.
”Start of Iran’s vengeful US retaliation,” the news agency said in a since-deleted posting which reportedly showed the launch of several missiles toward the US air base.
“Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short-range
ballistic missiles. All over the country,” said a senior US military source stationed in Iraq, reported Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin.
Missiles were also reportedly fired at the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, which contains a US consulate.
US officials have yet to comment on the number of service members injured or killed in the strike.
“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,” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said Tuesday.
The IRGC’s attack on the US military facilities in Iraq comes hours after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official Maj. Gen. Mortada Qurbani announced his forces were “in a high state of alert to destroy [Europe and the US’] bases in the region and humiliate you.”
Check back for updates:
https://twitter.com/iraniandotcom/status/1214743758136176640
?? Iraq subjected to bombardment by 22 missiles: Iraqi military
The Iraqi military said the country was subjected to bombardment between 1:45am and 2:15am.
It said that 17 of the missiles fell on the Ain al-Asad base including two that did not explode, while five missiles fell on Erbil.
There were no casualties among Iraqi forces it said.
?? What we know about the targeted military bases
Iran targeted two military bases that house US troops in Iraq earlier today — the Al Assad air base and a base in Erbil. Here’s what we know:
Al Assad airbase is one of the largest and oldest military bases in Iraq. It is located in Anbar province, a hotbed of ISIS activity in western Iraq between 2014 and 2017.
In December 2018, US President Donald Trump visited troops at Al Assad. “ We came in, we were — we felt very safe coming in. It was a pretty difficult journey in certain ways, but we felt very, very good; very safe,” Trump said, according to a White House transcript.
Vice President Mike Pence visited Al Assad a year later to celebrate Thanksgiving with roughly 150 service members.
Nothing left of it. This is gut wrenching-> pic.twitter.com/kQ8q5EnjZd
— Bahman Kalbasi (@BahmanKalbasi) January 8, 2020
?? Japan urges diplomacy after Iran missile attack
Japan urged a return to diplomacy and called on governments to do their utmost to help ease tensions following the Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by US forces.
Japanese Chief Cabinet spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the government would “coordinate with the related governments to collect intelligence while we ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in the region.”
“Japan will also urge all related nations to do their utmost diplomatic effort to improve the relations,” he added.
?? US security posture in UAE unchanged after Iraq strikes – official
The United States has maintained its security posture in key ally the United Arab Emirates, a spokesperson from the US embassy said.
“The US security posture in the UAE has not changed,” the spokesperson told Reuters.
?? Oil surges, stocks fall after Iran attack
Oil prices surged after the Iran attack on US forces in Iraq, raising the prospect of a regional conflagration that could disrupt oil supplies. Stocks fell sharply.
Brent crude futures soared $1.83, or 2.7 percent, to $70.10 by about 01:48 GMT, after earlier rising to $71.75, the highest since mid-September 2019.
unbelievably tragic https://t.co/A6uKXlA241
— آرش (@thekarami) January 8, 2020
Photo by #Iran's official news agency IRNA showing first responders at the location of the plane crash.
The Kyiv-bound #Ukraine International Flight 752, with around 180 onboard, crashed near Parand shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport. pic.twitter.com/heMsPQB8RM
— Kian Sharifi (@KianSharifi) January 8, 2020
1. I want to express this carefully cause I don't want to minimize anything that results in loss of life. But missiles flying back/forth in Mid East is all too common (something US can handle) & not what makes me nervous about the Soleimani situation
Here's what makes me nervous https://t.co/F2LYk09m5w
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
2. What makes me nervous is illustrated in the WSJ story. The Iranian government has always operated on its own timeline. If you think Iran lobbing missiles over the border is the kind of revenge they ultimately have in mind, you're wrong. https://t.co/qeL7jkzQhd
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
3. Example: In 2012, assassins kill an Iranian nuclear chemist (likely directed by Israel). Iran promises revenge.
Where does the ultimate revenge take place?
A month later in Georgia, India and Thailand where Israeli diplomats are targeted with bombshttps://t.co/qeL7jkzQhd pic.twitter.com/qEkQP7ddG4
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
4. Example: In 1992, IDF killed the Sec General of Hezbollah
Where did Iran retaliate?
In Buenos Aires with a truck bomb driven into the Israeli embassy. That attack killed 29 people
Another attack two years later took place at the Jewish Community Center killing 85 people pic.twitter.com/DOZYWd26Tz
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
5. Those examples are pretty tight timelines for Iranians. The Iranian gov sees revenge as almost a generational thing…their timeline can be in months/years. Revenge always doesn't come via a show of force they take PUBLIC credit for.
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
6. So what I'm saying is all these people with their chest thumping, I would be cautious about what you see as Iranian revenge and unfortunately prepare yourselves for the kind of attacks that are unexpected, that don't follow a tight timeline, and show up where you least expect
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
7. If people think that this is it…that Iran has chosen to retaliate against the US for killing the second most powerful man in Iran, by lobbing some missiles across the border that didn't result in US casualties then I have a bridge to sell you https://t.co/urRMsYhZji
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
8. I can't believe I'm seeing people saying that this was a face saving move by Iran and now that there haven't been any US casualties, that we should move on.
The level of naivety is astonishing.
Do people really think this is how Iran is going to retaliate?
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
9. Read Jake’s tweet…for those of you thinking this is just a weak response from Iran & that they’re terrified of the US mil, ask yourself if this how a nation that has funded attacks globally would respond to the killing of its most important Generalhttps://t.co/Tg8Ra6YLRg https://t.co/aSDXWQquHv
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
10. That may very well be true, but if people think this is the only way Iranians will respond then they’re unaware of the reality. So while POTUS is taking the off ramp, the Iranians will sit and wait and do what they want and when they want to do it. https://t.co/Ff4xhBHo88 https://t.co/lKdGyEKMA5
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
11. The problem is so many people have thought about this situation through the lens of conventional warfare. So they believe if there is no conventional warfare that the situation has deescalated.
But conventional warfare should have never been the concern!
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 8, 2020
Earlier tonight, @chrislhayes ended his show @allinwithchris saying: “A war with Iran is madness, and it is strategically and morally a disaster in the making. And don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.”
Watch on @MSNBC: https://t.co/KY0ZlpEKat
— MSNBC Public Relations (@MSNBCPR) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/GBNReports/status/1214757588174114817
https://twitter.com/30Constantine/status/1214762918266462208
IRGC-linked media keep doubling down on their claim that there are US casualties, noting the US is trying to hide this fact and the number of casualties.
— Ariane Tabatabai (@ArianeTabatabai) January 8, 2020
?? Must read by director / filmmaker Michael Moore
Reports: #Ukrainian plane with 180 passengers aboard crashes near #Iran's Imam Khomeini Airport due to technical issues
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) January 8, 2020
?? Iran to Take All Necessary Actions Against Any US Use of Force – Envoy to UN
Iran will take all necessary and proportionate actions against any threat or use of force, Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi said in a letter addressed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council.
“Accordingly, in conformity with international law and in exercising its inherent right to self-defence, Iran will take all necessary and proportionate measures against any threat or use of force,” Ravanchi said on Tuesday.
Ravanchi also called on the Security Council to strongly condemn the US threats and policies and hold the country accountable for its “wrongful” acts.
?? Trump Discusses Iran, Iraq With Qatari Emir – White House Spokesman
Judd Deere, the deputy press secretary of the White House, said that Trump had thanked Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for Qatar’s partnership with the United States. Apart from Iraq and Iran, they touched upon important bilateral and regional matters.
Meanwhile, Deere did not specify whether the negotiations had been held prior to or after Iran’s attacks on US military facilities in Iraq.
#IranAttacks
Ayatollah Khamenei's quote is being replayed on both Iranian & US news channels, "The time for the US to hit & run is over."#Iraq #AlAsad— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/iraniandotcom/status/1214743758136176640
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1214739853025394693
So, murder of Soleimani was enacted from Ain al- Assad.Zarif seems to indicate there won't be further attacks – ie, except if Trump orders escalation. https://t.co/674cXZBesQ
— M. K. Bhadrakumar (@BhadraPunchline) January 8, 2020
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe will cancel plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman this weekend, TV Asahi reports.
— Rana Rahimpour (@ranarahimpour) January 8, 2020
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
https://twitter.com/iraniandotcom/status/1214735879865917440
Hey @AOC, Can you please write some tweets against war with Iran? And urge people to come out to protests on Thursday? Thank you. #NoWarWithIran
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) January 8, 2020
We need everyone in the streets. Trump has put us in this position with his military brinksmanship. We must de-escalate immediately, protect American lives & move to diplomacy not war. This is a critical time for the American people to be heard. #NoWarWithIran https://t.co/1uKpnN8uUU
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/Partisangirl/status/1214730889189453824
https://twitter.com/iraniandotcom/status/1214729948818096128?s=20
#IranAttacks
Sources in Iran say if US doesn't retaliate then Iran will also de-escalate. But if it does, then it's war.
IRGC statements reflect same.#Iran #Iraq #Alasad— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 8, 2020
First official reaction from an Iranian government official to the missile attack in response to #Soleimani's assassination.
Rouhani's telecommunication minister: https://t.co/nogxlgNCPq
— Sina Toossi (@SinaToossi) January 8, 2020
There is still time for Trump to choose de-escalation. War will not end well for anyone, and it is firmly not in the national interest of the United States.
— Reza Marashi (@rezamarashi) January 8, 2020
?? US Federal Aviation Authority Bans Flights Over Persian Gulf Due to Heightened Military Activities
?? Ministers Leave White House as Their Talks With Trump Are Over – CNN
??Crickets…
Per CNN, White House says no statement tonight
— Tom Wright (@thomaswright08) January 8, 2020
? Israel’s Air Force, Air Defence on High Alert Amid the Attacks – Al Arabiya
? Via Sputnik: US Forces in Syria on High Alert, Moving to Base Close to Iraqi Border – Reports
US Forces in eastern Syrian Deir ez-Zur province are on high alert and started moving to the military base close to the Iraqi border, following the attack, state-run Syria TV reported.
Syria TV also said that they received information regarding the beginning of an evacuation of US forces from the Al-Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field. US troops are on their way to the military base near Ash Shaddadi town in Hasakah province.
From senior advisor to #Iran’s President: https://t.co/CjOw1Fq8q2
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) January 8, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with our brave service members who are under attack tonight. Sadly, this type of response is exactly what we feared. All parties should immediately halt military attacks and Trump should work with our allies to find a path to de-escalation.
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 8, 2020
Saudi al Hadath outlets: Several US aircraft have been hit in the Ain Al Assad base https://t.co/WTc82qsXWX
— Sina Toossi (@SinaToossi) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/arash_tehran/status/1214702921792798720?s=21
#BREAKING #NOW
A new video published by the Iranian media documents the launching of missiles towards the Ain al-Assad base and the Erbil base in #Iraq.#Iran #USA #IRGC #Trump #PMU #SoleimaniAssassination pic.twitter.com/Dck7kYX1uP— Eva J. Koulouriotis – إيفا كولوريوتي (@evacool_) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/sanasaeed/status/1214700954626535424?s=21
Iran has named their retaliatory measures: Operation Martyr Soleimani
They have confirmed responsibility for missiles launched against US imperial outposts "military bases" in Iraq
And, as per the fundamental principles of the UN charter & intl law, Iran's actions are legal. https://t.co/LtlNdoFLO5
— Sequoyah (@sequoyahdv) January 7, 2020
#Breaking Shelling has stopped at #alasad base, according to military source. About 35 rounds total hit the base.
— Carla Babb (@CarlaBabbVOA) January 7, 2020
Reports of US military jets taking off from the UAE. IRGC journalist says that if these jets attack #Iran, Iran will "rain missiles down on the UAE." https://t.co/wuncgmyYpf
— Sina Toossi (@SinaToossi) January 7, 2020
all of you on both sides who pushed for war or never opposed it or pretended to be a neutral analyst while subtly making the case for war your finally getting what you wanted. now enlist.
— آرش (@thekarami) January 7, 2020
#BREAKING: #Iran IRGC statement:
"We warn all allied countries of the US that if attacks are launched from bases in their countries on Iran, they will be a target of military retaliation."#AlAssadBase #Iraq— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/iraniandotcom/status/1214693029241479169?s=21
IRGC's official statement: In Operation Martyr Soleimani in early hours of Wednesday, tens of ground-to-ground missiles were fired at the US base and successfully pounded the Ain al-Assad Base
— Reza Khaasteh (@Khaaasteh) January 7, 2020
#BREAKING: Iran Revolutionary Guards begin "fierce revenge" on US. Iranian ballistic missiles hit Al Assad military base in #Iraq, largest US base.
And It Begins.#Soleimani— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) January 7, 2020
