Iran fires approximately 15 missiles at US bases in Iraq early Wednesday morning; No US casualties reported as the US continues assessing damage; Iran references the United Nations in their claim of self-defense; Trump to speak to the public in the morning.
Early Wednesday morning, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran fired 15 missiles at different US military locations throughout Iraq. In a rare move, these missiles were fired directly from a military base in Iran in the Kermanshah province, whereas Iran primarily uses their proxies throughout the Middle East in order to avoid direct attention. Early reports indicate that no US casualties took place, but there are mixed reports regarding Iraqi military forces. Several of the missiles are reported to have missed their targets completely. To a certain extent, the rockets fired last week that killed one US civilian and two Iraqi personnel were far more damaging than the 15 fired on Wednesday.
US President Donald Trump received an emergency briefing on the strikes, and shortly after the two waves of missiles were completed, he tweeted, “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.”
Iran is claiming that these strikes were in ‘self-defense’, and at the same time acknowledging their pursuit of revenge after the US killed its primary catalyst for terror recruitment, Qassem Soleimani. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed, “we took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We don’t seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.” Iran is also claiming that they have ‘104 targets’ that they’re ready to strike should the US respond; likely trying to send a message to the White House by doubling Trump’s threat of 52 Iranian targets.
These strikes come on the heels of Iran’s Supreme Leader’s demand for a ‘decisive response’. Reports indicate that Iran is additionally threatening strikes in the UAE and Israel should there be a retaliation to what has transpired on Wednesday.
