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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’
Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, who is a combat veteran as well as being a Congresswoman, was asked about the missile attacks tonight. She said that hearing about the attack at al-Asad airbase “brought back a flood of memories” from when she served in Iraq in 2005, during which time her camp “received daily mortar attacks, daily rocket attacks”.
“I just checked my phone, and I’ve got a flood of messages from friends of mine who I deployed with, some who are still serving in the National Guard or Reserves or on active duty. And honestly, they’re texting me saying: ‘What the fuck is going on?’
“Those of us who have served there understand very clearly the serious ramifications and the cost of what is happening here and the fact that we do not need to be here nor should we be in the position, as a country, of waging yet another wasteful, unnecessary war.”
Boeing has released a statement about reports that one of their passenger planes crashed minutes after takeoff from Tehran airport, though there’s not much information in the statement at this stage.Boeing has released a statement about reports that one of their passenger planes crashed minutes after takeoff from Tehran airport, though there’s not much information in the statement at this stage.
Canada has confirmed that its deployed personnel are safe and accounted for following the missile attacks.Canada has confirmed that its deployed personnel are safe and accounted for following the missile attacks.
Jon Ostrower, a self-confessed aviation geek and the editor-in-chief of The Air Current, has tweeted a screenshot of Flight Radar, which shows the plane that crashed taking off from Tehran.Jon Ostrower, a self-confessed aviation geek and the editor-in-chief of The Air Current, has tweeted a screenshot of Flight Radar, which shows the plane that crashed taking off from Tehran.
He has also clarified the plane was a 737-800, not the 737 Max, which has been grounded since March after two fatal crashes.He has also clarified the plane was a 737-800, not the 737 Max, which has been grounded since March after two fatal crashes.
Hello, this is Kate Lyons taking over from Maanvi Singh.Hello, this is Kate Lyons taking over from Maanvi Singh.
Some more breaking news out of Iran, a passenger plane carrying 180 people bound for the Ukrainian capital Kiev has crashed a few minutes after taking off from Tehran’s main international airport, according to Iranian media outlets.Some more breaking news out of Iran, a passenger plane carrying 180 people bound for the Ukrainian capital Kiev has crashed a few minutes after taking off from Tehran’s main international airport, according to Iranian media outlets.
The Boeing 737-800 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines took off from Imam Khomeini international airport at 6.12am Tehran time and crashed about eight minutes later, according to flight tracking websites.The Boeing 737-800 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines took off from Imam Khomeini international airport at 6.12am Tehran time and crashed about eight minutes later, according to flight tracking websites.
At this stage, the crash appears to have no link to Wednesday morning’s missile strikes on bases in Iraq hosting US and coalition troops.At this stage, the crash appears to have no link to Wednesday morning’s missile strikes on bases in Iraq hosting US and coalition troops.
The story is just breaking, we’ll bring you updates in the blog and in our full news wrap here.The story is just breaking, we’ll bring you updates in the blog and in our full news wrap here.
Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at US military sites in Iraq. There is no official word yet on the number of casualties and injured.Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at US military sites in Iraq. There is no official word yet on the number of casualties and injured.
The attacks were in retaliation for the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, who US forces killed in a strike last week.The attacks were in retaliation for the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, who US forces killed in a strike last week.
Donald Trump has said little about the attacks so far, tweeting “All is good!” and indicating that he would make a statement in the morning.Donald Trump has said little about the attacks so far, tweeting “All is good!” and indicating that he would make a statement in the morning.
The Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif said that his country has taken and “concluded” what he believed to be “measures in self-defense”, indicating that the attacks were over, for now.The Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif said that his country has taken and “concluded” what he believed to be “measures in self-defense”, indicating that the attacks were over, for now.
The FAA issued restrictions on flying over Iran and Iraq.The FAA issued restrictions on flying over Iran and Iraq.
2020 presidential candidates stated support for Americans overseas and a desire to deescalate as news of the attack trickled in.2020 presidential candidates stated support for Americans overseas and a desire to deescalate as news of the attack trickled in.
British forces are on standby to respond to as the crisis escalates. The Australian prime minister confirmed that Australian defense and diplomatic staff in the country were now safe.British forces are on standby to respond to as the crisis escalates. The Australian prime minister confirmed that Australian defense and diplomatic staff in the country were now safe.
Iranian’s Fars news agency reported that a jet bound for Ukraine crashed in Iran shortly after taking off from Tehran, possibly due to technical issues. There’s no further information available at this time.Iranian’s Fars news agency reported that a jet bound for Ukraine crashed in Iran shortly after taking off from Tehran, possibly due to technical issues. There’s no further information available at this time.
Here’s a map of all the flights moving out of the airspace over Iran, Iraq and the Gulf.Here’s a map of all the flights moving out of the airspace over Iran, Iraq and the Gulf.
The FAA issued restrictions on flying over Iraq and Iran just over an hour ago.The FAA issued restrictions on flying over Iraq and Iran just over an hour ago.
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 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 morning.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 morning.
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.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.
Elizabeth Warren, who spoke to supporters in New York along with Julián 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.
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.
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.
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.
News of the attacks has had an effect on the markets.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.