Iran attacks US bases in Iraq, world awaits Trump's statement: Get the latest updates here

Here are the latest developments from the region as tensions mount over the killing of Iranian commander Soleimani

Web Desk

January 08, 2020

Iran on Wednesday fired missiles at Iraqi bases used by the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic republic's promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.

The Pentagon said it was still "working on initial battle damage assessments" after "Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq."

At least 80 people were reportedly killed by Iranian missiles targeting US military bases in Iraq, said Iranian news network Press TV. US President Donald Trump late on Wednesday imposed more sanctions on Iran.

Important developments

Live updates

Trump says Iran standing down, US 'ready to embrace peace'

United States President Donald Trump Wednesday offered peace to Iran, saying Tehran was "standing down" after missile strikes on US troop bases in Iraq that resulted in no American or Iraqi deaths.

Trumps comments came as tensions between Washington and Tehran soared after two military bases housing American troops in Iraq were attacked with missiles from Iran.

Polish government advises restraint in Iran-US conflict

The Polish government believes that the US-Iran confrontation should not be escalated, government spokesperson Piotr Muller said on Wednesday, according to Polish Press Agency.

Poland's defence minister also commented on the developments, saying that Polish troops stationed in Iraq were not hurt during Wednesday's missile attacks.

"None of the Polish soldiers in Iraq were hurt in rocket attacks on Al-Asad and Erbil bases. We are in constant contact with the commander of the Polish Military Contingent in Iraq," Mariusz Blaszczak said.

Iraq says Iran informed it of imminent missile attack on US forces

Iraq's prime minister's office said Wednesday it had received "an official verbal message" from Iran informing it that a missile attack on US forces stationed on Iraqi soil was imminent.

"We received an official verbal message from the Islamic Republic of Iran that the Iranian response to the assassination of Qasem Soleimani had begun or would begin shortly, and that the strike would be limited to where the US military was located in Iraq without specifying the locations," the office said.

Rouhani to US: ‘Your foot will be cut from the region’

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the US on Wednesday that “you cut the hand of Soleimani but we will cut your foot in the region”.

The remarks by the president came hours after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps fired missiles on a US military base in western Iraq, reported Tehran Times.

France says not planning to withdraw troops from Iraq

France is not planning to withdraw its 160 soldiers deployed in Iraq following Iranian missile strikes targeting US-led forces, a French government source told Reuters on Wednesday.

A French army spokesman previously said there had been no French military casualties in Iraq from the Iranian strikes.

Turkish top diplomat to visit Iraq amid tensions

Turkey's foreign minister will visit Iraq on Jan 9 to try to ease tensions after Iran launched missiles at US-led forces in response to the killing of a top Iranian commander, the Turkish foreign ministry said on Jan 8.

According to Turkish publication Hurriyet Daily, Turkish FM Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif by phone after the incident. Turkey said it is contact with all parties in the region.

Paramilitary chief says time for 'Iraqi response' to US drone strike

A top commander in Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network said Wednesday it was time for an "Iraqi response" to a US drone strike that killed the network´s deputy chief.

"That response will be no less than the size of the Iranian response. That is a promise," Qais al-Khazali, a hardline Hashed commander, threatened in a tweet.

Iran's statement after strike on US bases in Iraq

Iran´s Revolutionary Guard Corps said "Operation Martyr Soleimani" was in response to "the criminal and terrorist operation of the American invaders and to avenge the cowardly assassination and painful martyrdom of the heroic leader" of the elite Quds Force.

It said it "fired dozens of ground-to-ground missiles at the invading air base of the terrorist army of the American aggressor... Ain al-Assad, and crushed this base".

China urges restraint after Iran missile attacks

China on Wednesday urged restraint from all sides after Iran launched missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and British troops, saying Beijing would play a "responsible role" in helping to defuse tensions.

"It is not in the interest of any party that the situation in the Middle East worsens further," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.

Netanyahu warns of 'resounding blow' if Iran attacks Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Wednesday that Israel would strike a "resounding blow" if attacked by arch foe Iran, as regional tensions soar after the US killing of a top Iranian general.

"Anyone who attacks us will receive a resounding blow," the premier told a Jerusalem conference after Iran launched a salvo retaliatory missile strikes on bases used by US troops in Iraq.

Air France says suspends flying through Iran and Iraq airspace

Air France said Wednesday it has suspended until further notice flying through Iranian and Iraqi airspace after Iran fired ballistic missiles against bases housing US troops in Iraq.

"As a precautionary measure and following news of air strikes underway, Air France has decided to suspend until further notice all flights through Iranian and Iraqi airspace," an Air France spokesman told AFP.

Also read: Earthquake of magnitude 4.5 felt near Iran nuclear power plant: USGS

Germany 'strongly condemns' Iran missile attacks

Germany´s defence minister condemned Iranian missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing coalition military on Wednesday and called on Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict.

"The German government strongly condemns this aggression," Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told broadcaster ARD. "It is now crucial that we do not allow this spiral to continue," said the defence minister, adding that "it is now primarily up to the Iranians to refrain from further escalation."

Also read: Terror attacks down 13 percent in Pakistan: report

UAE airlines cancel Baghdad flights after missile strikes

UAE carriers Emirates Airline and low-cost Flydubai said Wednesday they had cancelled flights to Baghdad for "operational reasons" after Iran fired ballistic missiles on bases housing US troops.

"Emirates flights EK 943 from Dubai to Baghdad and flight EK 944 from Baghdad to Dubai on 8 January have been cancelled for operational reasons," Emirates Airline said in a statement.

Also read: Body of Iranian commander killed in US strike arrives for burial in southeast Iran: agency

UK condemns Iran missile attacks, urges restraint

Britain on Wednesday condemned Iran´s missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing coalition military, while confirming there were no British casualties from the strikes.

"We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition -- including British -- forces," said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. "We are concerned by reports of casualties and use of ballistic missiles."

Also read: Iran drops spy charge for detained French academic: lawyer

Iran supreme leader says 'slap in face' delivered to US

Iran's supreme leader said a "slap in the face" was delivered to the United States, when the Islamic republic fired missiles at US troop bases in Iraq on Wednesday.

"Last night, a slap in the face was delivered," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state television. His remarks came after he had vowed "severe revenge" for a US drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad international airport last week.

Also read: Muslims should unite after Iran commander's killing: Malaysian PM

Tehran claims 80 dead in attack on US bases

At least 80 people were reportedly killed by Iranian missiles targeting US military bases in Iraq, Iranian news network Press TV said.

Iran had fired missiles at Iraqi bases used by the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic republic's promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

Earthquake of magnitude 4.5 felt near Iran nuclear power plant: USGS

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday jolted an area less than 50 kilometres from Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, a US monitor said.

The quake, which had a depth of 10 kilometres, struck 17 kilometres south-southeast of Borazjan city at 6:49 am (0319 GMT), the US Geological Survey said on its website.

Ukrainian jet crashes in Iran; all 176 on board dead

All 176 people on board a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed Wednesday after taking off from Tehran were killed, Iran's Red Crescent said.

The Boeing 737 had departed Imam Khomeini International Airport before dawn bound for the Ukrainian capital Kiev, semi-official news agency ISNA said.

Iran and the US: months of escalating tensions

Tensions between Iran and the United States have been steadily escalating for months. After a US strike killed a top Iranian commander last week and Iran launched retaliation strikes on Wednesday, here is a review:

On April 8, 2019 Washington declares Iran´s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps a "terrorist" group. Its Quds Force, which operates abroad, is also put on the blacklist.

US President Trump says 'all is well' after Zarif tweets Iran targeted base in 'self-defense'

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday confirmed that Iran had carried out missile strikes on a US base in Iraq. The US President said that an assessment of the casualties and damages was taking places and a statement would be made early Wednesday.

"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! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning," he tweeted.

Iran fires multiple missiles at US troop bases in Iraq

Iran fired missiles Wednesday at Iraqi bases used by the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic republic's promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.

The Pentagon said it was still "working on initial battle damage assessments" after "Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq."