Iran Fires Missiles At Iraqi Bases Housing US Troops

Iran fired a volley of missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq early Wedensday local time, in retaliation for the killing of Quds Force commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani. No U.S. casualties have been reported from the attacks.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned countries hosting U.S. bases, saying it will strike at any place from where attacks are launched against Iran; they also warned U.S. against any retaliatory strikes.

U.S aircraft were scrambled following the attack. Bug no retaliatory attack on Iran was carried out.

President Trump has been briefed of the attack and also met his national security team. He had earlier warned Iran against retaliating against U.S. or allied troops and military assets for Soleimani's killing.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard released a statement via its Telegram channel that should the U.S. retaliate and bomb Iranian soil, they will be forced to launch another wave of attacks on Dubai and Haifa, Israel.

Oil prices surged following reports of the attack.

Sources in Iraq told International Business Times that at least 10 Fateh 110 short-range ballistic missiles struck the Ain al-Assad base. Iranian TV said "tens" of missiles were fired at an Iraqi base housing U.S. troops. It was later confirmed that 15 missiles were fired from Iran.

The base houses an electronic attack squadron as well as elements of the 82nd Airborne Division. A damage assessment from the missile strike is still going on.

The Pentagon confirmed that the missiles were launched from within Iran at two U.S. bases in Iraq. The second base targeted is at Erbil, which was hit by at least one, possibly two, of the missiles. Three missiles failed to hit any target.

Oil prices have surged more than 3.5 percent following the attack.

President Trump later 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.

No retaliatory strikes by U.S. forces were launched immediately but the Pentagon said in a statement: "As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”

The U.S. has moved thousands of troops into the Middle East last few days. The USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier strike group is also sailing in the the Gulf of Oman. Between them, these formations can bring to bear several types of advanced weaponry to punish Iran if Trump gives the order.

(Correction: An earlier version of this report had said B-1B bombers were scrambled following the Iran missile strike. The reference has been removed.)