5 years ago
Iran on Wednesday said it had carried out and "concluded" its reprisal over the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani when it targeted US forces in Iraq with a missile strike.
"Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defence" targeting a base from which a "cowardly armed attack against our citizens and senior officials" was launched, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Twitter.
"We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression."
Iran fired "more than a dozen" ballistic missiles Tuesday against two airbases in Iraq where US and coalition forces are based. "At approximately 5.30 pm (2230 GMT) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq," Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. "It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil."
The attacks came after pro-Tehran factions in Iraq had vowed to "respond" to a US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad last week.
Here are the updates on Iran-US tensions:
UAE-based airlines cancel Baghdad flights
UAE carriers Emirates Airline and low-cost Flydubai have cancelled flights to Baghdad for "operational reasons" after Iran fired ballistic missiles on bases housing US troops.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa and Air France have suspended flying through Iran and Iraq airspace.
Aviation advisory
The regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all airlines in India to remain vigilant and take precautions in airspace over Iran, Iraq, Gulf of Oman and the waters of Persian Gulf.
MEA issues travel advisory for Iraq
In view of the prevailing situation in Iraq, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq until further notification. Indian nationals residing in Iraq are advised to be alert and may avoid travel within Iraq. Our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil will continue to function normally to provide all services to Indians residing in Iraq.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards threaten to attack US, allies
Iranian Revolutionary Guards have threatened to attack the US and its allies after Tehran said it carried out a night-time missile strike against US forces in Iraq.
The group urged Washington to recall its troops from the region "in order to avoid further losses and not to allow the lives of their soldiers to be further threatened by the ever-growing hatred" of the US.
US ready to finish any war started with Iran: Defence Secretary
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday the United States wants to de-escalate tensions with Iran, but the country is ready to finish any war that could be started. "We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one," he said. "What we'd like to see is the situation de-escalated." The US drone strike on Friday that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani has sharply escalated tensions with Iran, raising fears of all-out conflict. Washington says it killed Soleimani in self-defence, aiming to disrupt his plans to attack US personnel and interests. Esper defended the intelligence signalling an "imminent threat" from Soleimani that he and other senior US officials have cited to justify the strike, saying it was persuasive.
Timeline of US-Iran tension
Saudi oil attack: On September 14, aerial attacks claimed by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels spark fires at two major Saudi oil facilities. Tehran is accused by the United States and other powers of being responsible but denies involvement. On September 20, Trump announces "the highest sanctions ever imposed on a country", hitting Iran's central bank. On November 7, Tehran resumes uranium enrichment at its underground Fordo plant -- its fourth walk-back from the 2015 nuclear accord.
US backs protesters: Iran is furious when the US expresses support for protesters who take to the streets on November 15 after a fuel price hike. The White House condemns Iran for using "lethal force" in the days of violence, which reportedly leaves scores dead. Iran's foreign ministry criticises "American economic terrorism".
US strike kills commander: On December 29, the United States carries out air strikes against bases of a pro-Iran group in Iraq, killing at least 25 fighters. The strikes are in retaliation for rocket attacks against US interests in Iraq, including one in which a US civilian contractor is killed on December 27. On December 31, pro-Iran protesters storm the US embassy compound in Baghdad expressing fury over the strikes. Trump warns Tehran it could "pay a very big price". On January 3, 2020 a US strike kills top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, the Quds Force commander, in Iraq. The Pentagon says Trump ordered the killing after the siege of the US embassy in Baghdad.
Timeline of US-Iran tension
Attacks on ships: On May 12, four ships, including three oil tankers, are damaged in mysterious attacks in the Gulf that the United States blames on Iran. On May 25, the United States says it is deploying 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East to counter "credible threats" from Iran. Two tankers, Norwegian and Japanese, come under attack in the Gulf of Oman on June 13. Washington, London and Riyadh blame Iran, which denies involvement.
US drone shot down: Iran's Revolutionary Guard says on June 20 it shot down a US drone that violated Iranian airspace near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump approves a retaliatory strike, but cancels it at the last minute. On June 24, Trump announces "hard-hitting" financial sanctions on Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian military leaders. On July 18, Trump says the US military took down an Iranian drone that came dangerously close to one of its naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. On July 1, Iran announces it has breached a cap on its uranium enrichment set out in the 2015 deal.
Timeline of US-Iran tension
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:
Terror blacklist: 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. On May 5, White House national security adviser John Bolton announces the deployment of an aircraft carrier and a bomber task force to the Middle East.
Nuclear accord unravels: On May 8, a year after Washington unilaterally withdrew from an international 2015 deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme and reimposed sanctions, Tehran warns it is prepared to resume nuclear activity. Trump announces new measures against Iran's steel and mining sectors.
US President Donald Trump tweets on Iran missile attacks
"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," US President Donald Trump 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," US President Donald Trump tweeted.
"Get the hell out of our region!": Iran minister tweets
Iran minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi took to Twitter following the missile attack on US targets in Iraq. "Get the hell out of our region!" he tweeted.
Get the hell out of our region!#HardRevenge🇮🇷🇮🇶
- MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) January 8, 2020
Video shows missiles fired by Iran hit Iraq airbase, people run for cover
Videos on social media are showing Iranian ballistic missiles hitting two airbases in Iraq used by American and coalition troops. In one such video shot in a mobile phone, a streak of light is seen coming down fast against the night sky. It then hits the ground in a ball of fire.
Some people are heard shouting as they trace the missiles just before the impact.
Officials in Washington and Tehran said it was 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."
#WATCH: Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles at 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7 and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil, in Iraq. pic.twitter.com/xQkf9lG6AP
- ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2020
Soleimani was a monster.
- The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 7, 2020
"And he's no longer a monster. He's dead." pic.twitter.com/iSntYi71KI
Several flights diverted from Iranian airspace
US civil flights have been banned over Gulf, Iraq and Iran. British Airways and Singapore Airlines have also diverted flights from Iranian airspace.
We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.
- Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) January 7, 2020
Oil prices spike amid tensions escalate between US and Iran after Tehran fires missiles at Iraq base hosing US troops.
Sirens were heard and American helicopters were seen flying over Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province on Wednesday, according to al Mayadeen TV. Also, total alert state was activated after the base was hit by rockets at least twice, news agency Reuters reported.
Jets fly over Baghdad after Iran missiles hit US installations
Military jets could be seen flying over the Iraqi capital hours after Tehran launched dozens of ballistic missiles at US installations in Iraq. News agency AFP reported jets cutting through the clouds over Baghdad but could not immediately identify the planes.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, said the US "must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence."
Local security sources told AFP earlier that at least nine rockets had slammed into the Ain al-Asad airbase, the largest of the Iraqi military compounds where foreign troops are based.
The attacks came after pro-Tehran factions in Iraq had vowed to "respond" to a US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad last week.
"At approximately 5.30 pm (2230 GMT) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq," Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.
