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Iran launches missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq

Iran launches missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq

Baca Juga

The tension between the United States and Iran continues to escalate. Iran fired ballistic missiles at two US bases in Iraq, retaliating against US forces for killing Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Suleimani.

The US Department of Defense said that at least two US military bases were hit by more than a dozen missiles and no casualties have been reported so far.

The Iraqi military has confirmed that Iran has fired 22 missiles.

The attacked bases were in Iraq's Irbil and Al-Asad provinces. White House spokesman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that President Trump has received relevant reports and is closely watching the situation and communicating closely with the national security team.

Trump tweeted after the missile attack that "all is well" and revealed that he will issue a statement later.

"We are not seeking escalation or war, but will defend ourselves from any aggression," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted after the missile attack.


Reports from official Iranian television stated that the attack was in retaliation for a US missile attack on Friday (January 3) that killed the number one military commander Qassim Soleimani.

The report quoted a statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as "terrorists" describing the U.S. military, warning US allies that if they "allow terrorists to use their bases or make their homeland a base for attacks, they will become targets."

The United States currently has about 5,000 soldiers in Iraq. The Iraqi parliament earlier passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of US troops.

A letter from the US military to the Iraqi government circulated after the social networking site, stating that it would respect Iraq ’s sovereignty and evacuate.

But the U.S. military later said the letter was "issued incorrectly." Trump later said that if the United States withdraws troops from Iraq, it would be the worst thing for Iraq.


British warships and helicopters enter standby on Persian Gulf
Britain's Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace said the UK had put the Royal Navy and military helicopters on standby as the situation in the Middle East became increasingly tense. Wallace told the British House of Commons that the government is taking "emergency measures" to protect British nationals and British interests in the region. He said non-core personnel in Britain had also been removed from Baghdad.

A British government spokesman said: "We are working to verify local facts. Our priority is to ensure the safety of British personnel."

When asked about the possibility of a British military strike against Iran, Wallace said he "does not rule out any possibility."

British government has previously announced that the HMS Montrose will resume escort to protect ships crossing the Hotrait.

Soaring oil prices
The attack on at least two US air bases in Iraq has caused oil prices to soar.

Crude oil prices in the Asian trading market rose 4.5% to $ 65.65 per barrel, and the market is concerned that this could disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East.

After the news, so-called safe-haven assets such as gold and the yen rose sharply. At the same time, Asian stock markets fell sharply at the opening due to concerns over the growing conflict in the Middle East.


Japan's Nikkei index once fell more than 2% in early trading, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.26% in early trading.

This could disrupt transportation on the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil maritime route. Here, about a fifth of the world's oil supply passes through this strait that connects the Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

The Strait of Hormuz is critical for major oil exporters in the Gulf regions such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE and Kuwait. Oil and gas are the economic lifeblood of these countries. Iran's oil exports also rely heavily on this route.

Qatar is the world's largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and almost all of its natural gas is exported through the strait.

Trump tweets: "All right"
US President Trump responded on Twitter by saying: "Everything is fine! Iran is launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq. Casualty and damage assessments are currently underway. Everything is fine so far! We have The strongest and best equipped army! I will make a statement tomorrow morning. "



Iranian Foreign Minister: "Not seeking escalation"
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted: "Iran has taken corresponding self-defense measures in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and has targeted bases that have launched weak armed attacks on our citizens and senior officials. We do not Seeking an escalation or war, but will defend himself against any aggression. "



A Ukrainian Boeing passenger plane crashes in Iran
Official Iranian media reported that a Ukrainian Boeing 737 crashed when taking off from Tehran airport, carrying more than 170 people on board. Iranian Red Crescent officials say the chances of finding survivors are slim.

The airliner belongs to Ukraine International Airlines. Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport said the plane crashed shortly after taking off from the airport due to technical reasons.

It is unknown whether the accident has anything to do with the armed conflict between Iran and the United States.

crashed Boeing 737-800 is said to be only three years old. The picture shows the same type of passenger aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines.

Casualties
The Iraqi military confirmed that Iran fired a total of 22 missiles, of which 17 of the 17 missiles targeted at the US military base Al Asad in Iraq ’s Anbar Governorate in Iraq have not taken off.

Five missiles targeted the joint US-Iranian headquarters in northern Iraq.

Reuters quoted Iraqi military sources as saying there were no Iraqi casualties.

It is not yet possible to confirm whether there have been casualties in the US military. Trump had tweeted earlier that he would "publish a statement tomorrow morning."

The British Defense Ministry confirmed that the missile attack did not cause any British casualties.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday (January 8) GMT notices (NOTAMs) had been issued to pilots prohibiting U.S. civil aviation operators from using aircraft over Iran, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and Oman waters .

Iran's Supreme Leader: "We smack them"


"We humiliated them last night," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said in a television speech.

The crowd shouted "America dies" in response. He added: "When it comes to confrontation, military action at this level is not enough. It is important that the corrupt forces in the United States are over."


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