Iran launches missiles at US forces in Iraq

Attack in retaliation for Soleimani’s killing, stoking fears of new Middle East war

BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON: Iran launched missiles at US-led forces in Iraq early yesterday, retaliating for the US drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing last week stoked fears of a new Middle East war.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the missile attack was a “slap on the face” for the United States and that US troops should leave the region.

He was addressing a gathering of Iranians, who chanted “Death to America”.

Iranian state television said Iran had fired 15 missiles at US targets. The US military said at least two Iraqi facilities hosting US-led coalition personnel were targeted. Iraq said 22 missiles were fired.

Iranian officials said Tehran did not want a war and its strikes “concluded” its response to Friday’s killing of Qassem Soleimani, a general whose burial after days of mourning was completed around the time of the missile launches.

US President Donald Trump said an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way.

“All is well!,” Trump said on Twitter. One source said early indications were of no US casualties, while other US officials declined to comment.

Iranian state television said 80 “American terrorists” had been killed and US helicopters and military equipment damaged. It did not provide evidence of how it obtained that information.

Germany, Denmark, Norway and Poland said none of their troops in Iraq were hurt. Britain, which also has personnel in Iraq, condemned the Iranian action. Iraq said its forces did not suffer casualties.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the bases targeted were al-Asad air base and another facility in Erbil, Iraq.

“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region,” Hoffman said.

More than 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq along with other foreign forces in coalition that has trained and backed Iraqi forces against the threat of Islamic State militants.

Iran told Washington after the attacks to withdraw its troops to prevent more deaths and warned US allies including Israel not to allow attacks from their territories.

Iranian television reported an official in the supreme leader’s office as saying the missile attacks were the “weakest” of several retaliation scenarios. It quoted another source saying Iran had lined up 100 other potential targets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran “took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter”.

“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he tweeted. – Reuters