Iran launches missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq, no reports of American casualties
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran shot ballistic missiles into Iraq on Tuesday evening, targeting two U.S. military sites in retaliation for the recent American drone strike that killed one of its top generals.
A Pentagon official confirmed that 15 missiles were fired from inside Iran at the Al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq as well as facilities at Irbil in northern Iraq early Wednesday morning local time (about 5 p.m. Mountain time Tuesday).
Thirteen rockets hit the Al-Assad Air Base and there were casualties among the Iraqis there following the attack, an Iraqi security source told CNN. "We are not seeing any American casualties at this moment," a senior Trump administration official told ABC News.
Two ballistic missiles hit separate areas in Irbil, Kurdish security officials told CNN. One missile landed inside the perimeter of Irbil International Airport without exploding, the second missile hit an area about 20 miles west of the city without causing any casualties.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps swiftly took credit for the attacks, and one Iranian politician tweeted his nation’s flag -- an apparent swipe at President Trump who tweeted the American flag after the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Another Iranian official, minister of communications Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, tweeted: "Get the hell out of our region!"
Iran's state-run news outlet ISNA dubbed the attack "Operation Martyr Soleimani" and said the ground-to-ground missiles were aimed at "terrorist and invasive U.S. forces."
The U.S. Defense Department said the situation was still fluid and assessments were ongoing.
"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," said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman. "These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region."
At the White House, President Trump conferred with his top advisers and aides. Trump later tweeted that he would be making a statement to the nation on Wednesday morning.
"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!" he said on Twitter.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke with Vice President Mike Pence by phone after being informed about the attacks, according to the two offices.
"We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & the world cannot afford war," Pelosi tweeted afterwards.
The attacks came just days after the U.S. killed Soleimani and the latest developments were likely to spark fear of a U.S. war with Iran.
Iranian leaders had vowed revenge for the American airstrike against Soleimani, who the U.S. has blamed for the recent death of an American military contractor as well as being behind hundreds of roadside bombs.
Trump and his top aides defended the drone killing of Soleimani, insisting that he was planning an attack on U.S. service members and diplomats.
“He was planning a very big attack and a very bad attack, for us, and for other people,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday afternoon prior to the Iranian missile attacks on U.S. sites in Iraq.
“He was a monster,” Trump later added of Soleimani.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued a statement praising the attacks and vowed more actions if the U.S. retaliated.
"We warn the Great Satan, the arrogant American regime that any new invasions and aggression will result in more painful and pounding responses," the statement said. "We warn the governments that have given their bases to the terrorist army of the United States -- if their territory becomes the starting point of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, they will be targeted."
The Revolutionary Guard said in its Telegram channel that, in the event Iranian soil is bombed, it would target the cities of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Haifa, Israel, in the third wave of operations.
Trump had visited the targeted Al-Asad Air Base in December 2018, his first visit to U.S. troops in a combat zone since becoming president.
"We're no longer the suckers, folks," Trump told the service members during the visit, according to the Associated Press. "We're respected again as a nation."
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday afternoon, before the Iranian strikes were launched, that the U.S. was ready to retaliate for any attack launched by Iran.
"I would like to say we are not looking to start a war with Iran. But we are prepared to finish one," Esper said.
He said the U.S. wants Iran to "sit down with us to begin a discussion about a better way ahead."
