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Iran launches missiles at US forces in Iraq at al-Asad and Erbil – live updates Iran launches missiles at US forces in Iraq at al-Asad and Erbil – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Pentagon confirms missiles targeting at least two bases as Revolutionary Guards claim attack ‘in name of Suleimani’Pentagon confirms missiles targeting at least two bases as Revolutionary Guards claim attack ‘in name of Suleimani’
The Australian prime minister has confirmed that no Australians were hurt in the strikes. There’s no official word yet on US casualties. Unconfirmed reports indicate that some Iraqi nationals may have been hurt or killed.
The president has tweeted after hours of silence. “Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!” he said, adding that he will be making a statement tomorrow moening.
The White House has released Trump’s schedule for tomorrow, which looks very thin. He has an intelligence briefing at 2:15 ET, but apparently has nothing else scheduled for the day.
Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif has tweeted a statement, saying “we do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression”.
It’s worth noting that Zarif said Iran took and concluded attacks against the US, suggesting that his country won’t escalate further, for now.
Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidates have made statements urging de-esclation and expressing support for US troops in the region.Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidates have made statements urging de-esclation and expressing support for US troops in the region.
Elizabeth Warren, who spoke to supporters in New York along with Julian Castro —her former 2020 competitor — started by addressing the Iranian attacks.Elizabeth Warren, who spoke to supporters in New York along with Julian Castro —her former 2020 competitor — started by addressing the Iranian attacks.
Joe Biden who earlier had said that Trump “is bringing us dangerously close to starting” another war, said he’s holding off on commenting “until we know more”, and added that he and his wife Jill Biden are praying for troop and American overseas.Joe Biden who earlier had said that Trump “is bringing us dangerously close to starting” another war, said he’s holding off on commenting “until we know more”, and added that he and his wife Jill Biden are praying for troop and American overseas.
Pete Buttigieg also expressed support forAmericans overseas.Pete Buttigieg also expressed support forAmericans overseas.
Amy Klobuchar reportedly skipped a fundraiser in DC this evening due to the developments in the Middle East.Amy Klobuchar reportedly skipped a fundraiser in DC this evening due to the developments in the Middle East.
The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, has told the chief of the Australian defense force to “to take whatever actions are necessary to protect and defend” Australian troops and diplomats in Iraq.This may involve pulling Australian troops out of the country. Earlier, the foreign minister Marise Payne said Australia was contemplating the “possible implications” of being forced to withdraw troops by the Iraqi government.Australia’s military commitment in the Middle East is numerically small - about 450 personnel - but as an unswerving US ally, Australia’s presence in Iraq is symbolically significant, and its withdrawal would be a blow to the US-led coalition.The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, has told the chief of the Australian defense force to “to take whatever actions are necessary to protect and defend” Australian troops and diplomats in Iraq.This may involve pulling Australian troops out of the country. Earlier, the foreign minister Marise Payne said Australia was contemplating the “possible implications” of being forced to withdraw troops by the Iraqi government.Australia’s military commitment in the Middle East is numerically small - about 450 personnel - but as an unswerving US ally, Australia’s presence in Iraq is symbolically significant, and its withdrawal would be a blow to the US-led coalition.
The Federal Aviation Commission has restricted flights over Iran, Iraq, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.The Federal Aviation Commission has restricted flights over Iran, Iraq, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.
It looks like Trump may not be giving a televised address after all. The White House press secretary has told reporters that the president won’t be addressing the nation tonight.It looks like Trump may not be giving a televised address after all. The White House press secretary has told reporters that the president won’t be addressing the nation tonight.
He may deliver statements or updates via tweet.He may deliver statements or updates via tweet.
News of the attacks has had an effect on the markets.News of the attacks has had an effect on the markets.
Asian markets have fallen on news of the Iranian missile strikes.Asian markets have fallen on news of the Iranian missile strikes.
The Australian Stock Exchange’s benchmark index, the ASX200, was down 0.92% at a little after 12.30pm, Australian east coast time, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index tumbled 1.14% on open.The Australian Stock Exchange’s benchmark index, the ASX200, was down 0.92% at a little after 12.30pm, Australian east coast time, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index tumbled 1.14% on open.
No sector was spared the sell-off. Among the leading losers in Australia was flag carrier Qantas, which plunged 4.37%, but healthcare companies and financial sector groups were also down.No sector was spared the sell-off. Among the leading losers in Australia was flag carrier Qantas, which plunged 4.37%, but healthcare companies and financial sector groups were also down.
Shares in each of the big four banks that dominate the Australian financial sector fell more than 1.2%.Shares in each of the big four banks that dominate the Australian financial sector fell more than 1.2%.
For readers just catching up, here’s a recap from the Guardian’s Michael Safi in Beirut and Julian Borger in London:For readers just catching up, here’s a recap from the Guardian’s Michael Safi in Beirut and Julian Borger in London:
Read on for more context.Read on for more context.
The White House is planning a possible televised address from Donald Trump tonight, according to multiple reports. The White House has yet to confirm any plans.The White House is planning a possible televised address from Donald Trump tonight, according to multiple reports. The White House has yet to confirm any plans.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency is now quoting Iranian officials warning that if the US retaliates against these strikes in Iraq, Hezbollah will fire rockets at Israel — a threat to widen the conflict and bring Iran’s regional allies into play.Iran’s Tasnim news agency is now quoting Iranian officials warning that if the US retaliates against these strikes in Iraq, Hezbollah will fire rockets at Israel — a threat to widen the conflict and bring Iran’s regional allies into play.
A top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader posted an image of the Iranian flag as news steams in of multiple attacks on US military sites.A top adviser 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 Qassem Suleimani.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 Qassem 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 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 attacks has commenced against the al-Asad airbase 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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”.
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 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.
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”.