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Iran launches missiles on al-Asad US airbase in Iraq – live updates Iran launches missiles on US airbases in Iraq at al-Asad and Erbil – live updates
(30 minutes later)
Iranian Revolutionary Guards claim attack on base ‘in name of Suleimani’ Pentagon confirms attacks on US and coalition forces targeting ‘at least two bases’
A top advisor to Iran’s supreme leader posted an image of the Iranian flag as news steams in of multiple attacks on US military sites.
The tweet seems to be a counterpoint to Donald Trump’s tweet featuring a low-resolution image of the American flag, following a strike that killed Iranian general Qassim Suleimani.
Nancy Pelosi says she’s “closely monitoring the situation”, adding that she’d like “needless provocations from the Administration” end.
In the meantime, defense secretary Mark Esper and secretary of state Mike Pompeo have arrived at the White House. According to CNN, Esper was carrying a large bag.
The Department of Defense has confirmed: “At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. 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.”The Department of Defense has confirmed: “At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. 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.”
The assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs Jonathan Hoffman said that the US is “working on initial battle damage assessments”:The assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs Jonathan Hoffman said that the US is “working on initial battle damage assessments”:
Iran’s Tasnim news agency has just reported a second wave of rocket attacks has commenced against the Al Asad air base in Iraq, according to The Guardian’s Michael Safi. More to come. Iran’s Tasnim news agency has just reported a second wave of attacks has commenced against the Al Asad air base in Iraq, according to The Guardian’s Michael Safi. More to come.
Nancy Pelosi received a phone call from Mike Pence, as she was about to open the House for new session. The speaker’s chief of staff said Pelosi called the vice president back minutes after presiding over the House, and was briefed on Iran’s attacks.Nancy Pelosi received a phone call from Mike Pence, as she was about to open the House for new session. The speaker’s chief of staff said Pelosi called the vice president back minutes after presiding over the House, and was briefed on Iran’s attacks.
Pelosi reportedly received a note with news of the attacks in the interim.Pelosi reportedly received a note with news of the attacks in the interim.
Missiles have fired from Iran at Erbil in northern Iraq, as well as Al Asad Air Base in the west, according to ABC News.Missiles have fired from Iran at Erbil in northern Iraq, as well as Al Asad Air Base in the west, according to ABC News.
The Guardian has not yet independently confirmed this report.The Guardian has not yet independently confirmed this report.
The White House press secretary said that Donald Trump “has been briefed and is monitoring the situation” in Iraq.The White House press secretary said that Donald Trump “has been briefed and is monitoring the situation” in Iraq.
From The Guardian’s Julian Borger and Patrick Wintour:From The Guardian’s Julian Borger and Patrick Wintour:
An airbase in Iraq’s Anbar province that hosts a US contingent has come under fire, the US military confirmed, after a day in which Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership exchanged threats of retaliatory attacks.An airbase in Iraq’s Anbar province that hosts a US contingent has come under fire, the US military confirmed, after a day in which Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership exchanged threats of retaliatory attacks.
Initial reports said al-Asad base was hit by six rockets. It has previously been a target of an Iranian-backed Shia militia, Kata’ib Hezbollah, whose attacks on US and coalition troops triggered tit-for-tat strikes that culminated in the killing on Friday of top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.Initial reports said al-Asad base was hit by six rockets. It has previously been a target of an Iranian-backed Shia militia, Kata’ib Hezbollah, whose attacks on US and coalition troops triggered tit-for-tat strikes that culminated in the killing on Friday of top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
There were also unconfirmed reports of missile attacks elsewhere in Iraq.There were also unconfirmed reports of missile attacks elsewhere in Iraq.
Earlier in the day, the secretary of Iran’s national security council, Ali Shamkhani, said 13 “revenge scenarios” were being considered in the wake of the assassination of Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds force, and that even the most limited options would be a “historic nightmare” for the US.Earlier in the day, the secretary of Iran’s national security council, Ali Shamkhani, said 13 “revenge scenarios” were being considered in the wake of the assassination of Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds force, and that even the most limited options would be a “historic nightmare” for the US.
Ali Shamkhani told the Tasnim news agency: “The 27 US bases that are closest to Iran’s border are already on high alert; they know that the response is likely to include medium-range & long-range missiles.”Ali Shamkhani told the Tasnim news agency: “The 27 US bases that are closest to Iran’s border are already on high alert; they know that the response is likely to include medium-range & long-range missiles.”
Trump responded to Iranian threats in remarks to the press at the White House “We’re totally prepared. And likewise, we’re prepared to attack if we have to,” he said.Trump responded to Iranian threats in remarks to the press at the White House “We’re totally prepared. And likewise, we’re prepared to attack if we have to,” he said.
According to Iran state TV, Tehran has launched “tens” of surface-to-surface missiles toward Iraq’s Ain Assad air base, which houses US troops.According to Iran state TV, Tehran has launched “tens” of surface-to-surface missiles toward Iraq’s Ain Assad air base, which houses US troops.
US military officials have confirmed to reporters that at least six rockets fell on the air base.US military officials have confirmed to reporters that at least six rockets fell on the air base.
In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said: “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”.In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said: “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”.
There is no information yet on any casualties or damage from the rockets. The Guardian will have more updates soon.There is no information yet on any casualties or damage from the rockets. The Guardian will have more updates soon.
Republican senators block a resolution to declare that attacks on cultural sites are war crimesRepublican senators block a resolution to declare that attacks on cultural sites are war crimes
Although Donald Trump has walked back threats to attack Iranian cultural sites, which are forbidden under international law, Democratic senators today tried to pass a resolution rebuking such attacks.Although Donald Trump has walked back threats to attack Iranian cultural sites, which are forbidden under international law, Democratic senators today tried to pass a resolution rebuking such attacks.
Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, tried to get unanimous consent to pass the resolution, but his efforts were blocked by the Senate armed services committee chair Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma.Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, tried to get unanimous consent to pass the resolution, but his efforts were blocked by the Senate armed services committee chair Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma.
Inhofe said he appreciated “the spirit” of Markey’s resolution but criticized its lack of “specificity”.Inhofe said he appreciated “the spirit” of Markey’s resolution but criticized its lack of “specificity”.
California Representative Duncan Hunter posted his resignation letters to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California’s governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump campaign plans to spend $10m on a Super Bowl ad
The president has bought 60 seconds of air time during what’s likely to be the most-watched television event of the year.
In a statement to The Guardian’s Daniel Strauss, the Trump reelection campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh confirmed that the president has reserved time:
The news was first reported by Politico.
Report: Pompeo tells diplomats not to meet with Iranian opposition groups amid escalating tensions
The US Secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has ordered diplomats not to meet with Iranian opposition groups without approval, according to a cable obtained by CNN and Bloomberg.
“Many exiled Iranian opposition groups try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout. Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilizing behavior,” Pompeo reportedly said.
Among the groups that Pompeo has said to avoid is Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, or MEK, which once hired Rudy Giuliani, and paid John Bolton to speak at its rallies.
Pompeo reportedly indicated that diplomats who met with opposition groups could jeopardize Trump’s diplomatic efforts in Iran.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Trump said the strike that killed the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation” for his past actions against the US, but the president then repeated senior officials’ claims that Suleimani was planning an “imminent” attack on Americans.
The president brushed off concerns about John Bolton potentially testifying in a Senate impeachment trial, claiming his former national security adviser “would know nothing about what we’re talking about”. But Bolton was reportedly present for several key events in the Ukraine saga.
The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, announced he had the votes to establish rules for the impeachment trial without Democratic support and would model the proceedings on Bill Clinton’s 1999 trial.
The Republican congressman Duncan Hunter submitted his expected resignation after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds last month.
The US defense secretary, Mark Esper, said American forces were not leaving Iraq, despite the letter from the US military outlining an intention to withdraw from the country. Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Congressman Duncan Hunter, who pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy for misusing campaign funds last month, has officially submitted his resignation.
The California Republican’s departure had been expected, but the timing of the move remained unclear as lawmakers returned from the holiday recess. By waiting until after the first of the month to submit the resignation, Hunter will likely be able to collect one last paycheck, as well as his congressional pension.
Hunter told the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the California governor, Gavin Newsom, that his resignation would be effective 13 January.
With Hunter out of the way, Republicans are expected to maintain control of the House seat. Although the district leans Republican, there had previously been speculation that Democrats could pick up the seat if Hunter remained on the ballot as he faced corruption allegations.
Trump is reportedly planning to hold a campaign rally in Iowa days before the Democratic caucuses take place on 3 February.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Trump carried Iowa by 10 points in 2016, and his allies have expressed confidence he will win the Hawkeye State again this year.
Depending on the timing of the rally, Trump might have to race back to Washington after the event because he’s scheduled to deliver his annual state of the union address on 4 February.
While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump suggested the letter from the US military indicating an imminent withdrawal of US troops from Iraq was a “hoax”.
“I don’t know anything about that letter,” Trump said. “I don’t know if that letter is a hoax.”
The Secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who was sitting next to the president, then jumped in to say the drafting of the letter had been a mistake.
The defense secretary Mark Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate and repeated today, “The United States is not withdrawing from Iraq.”
The former national security adviser John Bolton was actually present for a number of key events in the Ukraine saga that ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment, despite the president’s claim that Bolton “would know nothing about what we’re talking about”.
Taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Trump brushed off concerns about John Bolton, his former national security adviser, potentially testifying in a Senate impeachment trial.
Bolton said yesterday he would testify in the trial if he were subpoenaed, but it’s unclear whether the Republican-controlled Senate would approve a subpoena.
“That’s going to be up to the lawyers,” Trump said of Bolton’s testimony. “It’ll be up to the Senate, and we’ll see how they feel. He would know nothing about what we’re talking about.”
But reports have indicated the former official had firsthand knowledge of the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance and advised Trump to release the funds.
Although Trump said he would obey international laws forbidding attacks on cultural sites, the president seemed to complain about the necessity for such restraint.
“They kill our people, they blow up our people and then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions,” Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office.
“But I’m OK with it. It’s OK with me. I will say this, if Iran does anything that they shouldn’t be doing, they’re going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly.”
Trump initially said the strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation”, but the president then claimed the strike was carried out due to an imminent threat on Americans, echoing senior officials.
“We saved a lot of lives by terminating his life, a lot of lives were saved,” Trump said. “They were planning something and you’re going to be hearing about it or at least various people in Congress are going to be hearing about it tomorrow.”
Defense officials have so far dodged questions about the specific nature of the threat Suleimani posed.