Early on Wednesday, Iran has launched missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq, in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike on Iranian commander, Qassem Soleimani, whose killing last week stoked fears of a new Middle East war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said the missile attack was a “slap on the face” of the United States and that U.S. troops should leave the region. He was addressing a gathering of Iranians who chanted “Death to America”.
According to Iranian state television, Iran had fired 15 missiles at U.S. targets. The U.S. military said at least two Iraqi facilities hosting U.S.-led coalition personnel were targeted at about 1:30 a.m. (Iraq time 2230 GMT on Tuesday), while Iraq said 22 missiles were fired.
Iranian officials said Tehran did not want a war and its strikes “concluded” its response to Friday’s killing of its powerful general, Soleimani, whose burial after days of mourning was completed around the time of the missile launches. Iranian television showed mourners celebrating the attack.
U.S. President Donald Trump said an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way and that he would make a statement on Wednesday morning.
He however tweeted – “All is well!”
