Now war starts from ‘east to west’! Iran claims 80 Americans killed in missile attacks on US troops in Iraq
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Tehran, January 8: In what appears to be retaliation for the American airstrike, Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at two Iraqi bases that hold US troops. Iranian State Television has claimed that at least 80 "American terrorists" were killed in Iranian missile strikes involving 15 missiles Tehran launched on U.S. targets in Iraq, adding that none of the missiles were intercepted. However, an assessment of the impact of the strikes is underway.
Iran launched missile attacks on US-led forces in Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.
State TV, citing a senior Revolutionary Guards source, also said Iran had 100 other targets in the region in its sights if Washington took any retaliatory measures. It also said U.S. helicopters and military equipment were "severely damaged".
President Donald Trump has 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."
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
“Iran 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 do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.” tweeted Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.
Iran 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.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
It was Iran's most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying.
Meanwhile, India has asked its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iraq until further notification in view of prevailing situation in the Gulf country. In a travel advisory, External Affairs Ministry said, Indian nationals residing in Iraq are advised to be and may avoid travel within Iraq.