ISLAMABAD:Iran has claimed that it has fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles on US-led forces in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of military commander Qassem Soleimani.
According to reports, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed that they fired the missiles against at least two Iraqi military bases al-Asad air base and another in Erbil.
According to state Tv, the statement advised the United States to withdraw its troops from the region to prevent more deaths. According to al Maydan Tv, sirens were heard and American helicopters were seen flying over Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province early on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, US President Donald Trump said that an assessment of the casualties and damage from Iranian missile strikes is underway and he would make a statement on the situation later today (Wednesday).
The Pentagon spokesperson Grisham said in a statement that we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.
US Federal Aviation Administration has decided to ban U.S. carriers from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Gulf of Oman and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia after Iran launched a missile attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has termed Iran’s missile attack to the US base in Iraq as a proportionate measure which came in self-defence.
In a tweet, he said Iran took measures under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which armed attack against our citizens and senior officials were launched. Iranian Foreign Minister stressed that Iran do not seek escalation or war but will defend itself against any aggression.