Iran confirms attack on US military base and issues chilling warning to allies
Multiple locations, including US and Coalition military bases, are under attack in Iraq as Iran launches revenge attacks for the death of General Qassem Soleimani.
At least 30 ballistic missiles were launched at several US sites tonight, including the al-Assad air base in western Iraq and Erbil in northern Iraq.
A second wave of attacks has now also been reportedly launched, although this is yet to be confirmed by the US military.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have confirmed they were behind the rocket strikes.
In a statement they claimed the attacks had been launched in revenge for the death of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike.
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They also issued a chilling warning to regional allies of the US, stating the IRGC would also be attacked if their countries are used for strikes against Iran.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed about the situation in Iraq.
The White House has confirmed that the missiles were launched from Iran specifically to target American and Coalition forces in Iraq.
General Soleimani. was killed by a Reaper drone last Friday at Baghdad airport.
The attack took long-running hostilities between Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory and raised the spectre of wider conflict in the Middle East.
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His death has led to soaring tensions in the Middle East and the attacks on US bases come as British and US troops are believed to be being evacuated from Iraq.
The Pentagon has also released a statement.
It reads: “In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard our personnel and partners.
"These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces.
“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. We are working on initial battle damage assessments.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”
The Foreign Office has released a short statement in response to the attacks.
A spokesperson has said: “We are urgently working to establish the facts on the ground. Our first priority is the security of British personnel.”
al-Assad air base has supported both US and Coalition troops.
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