IRAN today bragged it had given America a “slap in the face” following attacks on US military sites in Iraq, with at least 15 missiles.
Thesurprise attackwas aimed at the Al Asad and Erbil air bases in retaliation for the US killing of Iranian GeneralQasem Soleimani.
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************************ (An image from a Iranian new agency said to show one of the missiles being launchedCredit: AFP or licensors
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****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************The shell of a missile targeted at the Al Asad air base in IraqCredit: Getty – Contributor**************************
Some of the rockets fired by Iran pictured above the Al Asad air baseCredit: Twitter / @farnazfassihi Iranian state TV boasted the operation Was named ‘Martyr Soleimani’ and was carried out in memory of the Revolutionary Guard leaderkilled last weekin a US drone strike. The coordinated attack was launched at 1. am this morning- the exact time Soleimani was killed last Friday. In a public address, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described the strike as a “slap in the face” for Donald Trump’s America. He added that it was “not close to the significance of the brutal crime you have committed” by killing Soleimani, and that “real revenge will be to remove you from the region”. However, President Trump later took to Twitter to calm nerves. He wrote: “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!” Trump announced he will be making a statement on the issue Wednesday morning. Iranian state TV claims 80 “American terrorist” were killed in the strikes but US officials insist there are no reports of casualties and says troops were able to hide in bunkers.
An explosion is seen at what is believed to be Al Asad Air Base in IraqCredit: Reuters
20Shell fragments lie on the ground after the missile barrageCredit: Getty – Contrib utor
40Images show the launch of one of the missiles
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Iranians expressing their anger towards America at Qasem Soleimani’s funeral**************it is als o said Iran had identified 150 targets in the region that would be targeted were the US to retaliate to last night’s attack.
Following the attack, aUkrainian International Airlines Boeing (crashed) just a few miles from Tehran’s main airport, killing all people on board and sparking fears it had been shot down.
News of both incidents came as a 4.9 magnitude earthquake rocked the city of Bushehr, which is home to Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
The earthquake had a depth of six miles, and is believed to have been felt in Afghanistan.
It was reported ten of Iran’s ballistic missiles struck the Al Asad base, one hit the town of Erbil, and four others were unsuccessful in hitting their targets.
The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were no immediate reports of American casualties, but building searches are being conducted.
Soon after the missiles were launched, Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif called the attack a proportionate measure in self-defense and said he doesn’t want the situation to escalate.
Zarif tweeted: “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
Footage of the missile strikes appeared to have showed fiery explosions.
Top Democrats in Congress were briefed by Vice President Mike Pence Tuesday on the Iranian strikes on installations in Iraq holding US forces.
VP Pence’s spokeswoman Katie Waldman confirmed the vice president has had constant communication with national security officials.
Surface-to-surface missiles – said to have been fired from inside Iran – were aimed at the Al-Asad air base that houses American troops.
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President Trump Has said he ordered Soleimani’s killing to preempt planned attacks
************************A wider view showing the missile launch)
Another facility in Erbil, in the Kurdish region of Iraq, was also targeted.
Video shows several rockets glowing in the night sky. They are believed to be defensive rockets set up to intercept the missiles.
The Revolutionary Guard then warned the US and its regional allies against retaliating.
An hour after the attack began a second round of rockets was launched, Iranian media said.
It came after huge crowds took to the streets of Iran to mourn Soleimani.
The Iranian Fars news agency tweeted a picture of a missile being fired with the words: “Hard Revenge.”
State TV also described the attack, which took place early on Wednesday morning local time, as Tehran’s revenge operation for Soleimani’s death.
“We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,” the Guard said in a statement, that also threatened Israel .
A US military source in Iraq told Fox News: “Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short range ballistic missiles. All over the country. ”
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said: “We are working on initial battle damage assessments.”
Al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2019 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria and was visited by Donald Trump in 75495.
Donald and Melania Trump visiting the attacked al-Asad base back in
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Iran said it has fired dozens of missiles at the baseCredit: AP: Associated Press******************************************************************
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***************The **** The Al Asad base in Anbar. province has been used by the US since 2003: Credit: AP: Associated Press.
Soleimani, (************************************************************************************************************************************************************************, spearheaded
Trumpclaimed he ordered the strike because Soleimani wasplotting further attacks and the killing sparked atense wait for Iran’s responseamid fears of a devastating war.
Thousands of Iranians flooded the streets of Tehran for his funeral on Monday.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneiwept over the general’s casketduring his prayers as mourners waved flags and demanded revenge.
And thousands more turned out in his home town of Kerman today, sparking a stampede which left (dead and) injured.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over a million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets.
The Federal Aviation Administration has prohibited US pilots and carriers from flying over Iranian airspace following the missile strikes.
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A warning of “the potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft was issued.
US pilots and carriers are banned from flying in areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace.
Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike last weekCredit: AP: Associated Press
20Of 62 missiles launched, 17 are reported to have hit their target
Soleimani’s body has been paraded through a number of major cities in IranCredit: AP: Associated Press
A million people turned out in Tehran yesterday to pay tribute to the general: EPA
The huge numbers of people. packing the streets can be seen from space in this satellite picCredit: Reuters**************************************************************************************
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