Iran says it has launched ‘tens’ of missiles against a US air base in Iraq in a major retaliation against the US killing of its most senior military leader.
An Iranian revolutionary guard corps has taken credit for the rocket attack against the Al-Asad airbase in central Iraq in revenge for the assassination of Qassem Soleimani.
The Revolutionary Guard said in a statement: “The brave soldiers of IRGC’s aerospace unit have launched a successful attack with tens of ballistic missiles on Al Assad military base in the name of martyr Gen.Qasem Soleimani.”
Iran’s state TV confirmed Tehran launched the attack as a revenge operation.
Farnaz Fassihi
Replying to @farnazfassihi
BREAKING: STATEMENT FROM IRGC:
"The brave soldiers of IRGC's aerospace unit have launched a successful attack with tens of ballistic missiles on Al Assad military base in the name of martyr Gen.Qasem Soleimani."#Iraq#Iran#AlAssadBase
A US military source told Fox News: “Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short-range ballistic missiles. All over the country.”
The attacks reportedly happened at 1.20am local time, the same time the US drone killed General Soleimani.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned the US and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack.
“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. It also threatened Israel.
It is unclear if there have been any casualties.
The White House it was aware of reports of the attacks and that Donald Trump was monitoring the situation.
Iran had threatened “severe revenge” for Gen Soleimani’s death.
