UPDATE 6: 7:51pm EST – US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived at the White House around 7:30pm EST, in addition to the Chairman of Joint Chiefs. Trump’s entire war cabinet is now at the White House.
Now, the world waits for the US counter-response.
US Defense Secretary seen carrying large bag arriving at White House moments ago. All top security officials are currently in West Wing with President Trump preparing response on Iran. pic.twitter.com/lRsj8hSzSK
— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) January 8, 2020
***
UPDATE 5: 7:41pm EST – Fars News Agency is reporting that a US National Security Council meeting has begun. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a statement urging the U.S. military to call back American soldiers from the region.
***
UPDATE 4: 7:34pm EST – The Pentagon just released a full statement, confirming that more than a dozen missiles were fired from within Iran, and that at least two Iraqi military bases which were hosting US troops have been targeted.
Statement from Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman
At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil.
We are working on initial battle damage assessments.
In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard our personnel and partners. These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region.
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.
Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
More and more footage of the attack is appearing on social media:
Translated: #Iraqi soldiers in #Anbar, monitor & film moment of missiles landing on #AinalAssad military base. https://t.co/HZ5ndTX4Hh
— Hala Jaber (@HalaJaber) January 8, 2020
Another video of the attack on Ayn Al Asad. pic.twitter.com/XXhJhCZf0A
— WW3 Updates (@ww3updates) January 8, 2020
US F-35s have been launched from bases in Turkey and the UAE.
***
UPDATE 3: 7:30pm EST – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is claiming that the Ain Al-Assad base in Iraq is “completely destroyed” after the missile attack.
#BreakingNews: #Iran's Revolutionary Guard says the Ain Al-Assad base in #Iraq is "completely destroyed" after the attack#US #BREAKING #IranvsUSA pic.twitter.com/V80R3uC0Pn
— Daily News Egypt (@DailyNewsEgypt) January 8, 2020
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UPDATE 2: 7:23pm EST – Iran says a second wave of missiles has been launched at US military bases in Iraq. And there are now reports of US jets “in the air” from Turkey.
? #????| ?? ?? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ????.
— ???????? ???? (@FarsNews_Agency) January 8, 2020
TASNIM: Iran just launched another batch of missiles towards US bases in Iraq.
— Brasco_Aad (@Brasco_Aad) January 8, 2020
***
UPDATE 1 7:15pm EST – Six US F-35s have taken off from the UAE. Iran has warned that they will attack any US aircraft launched from the UAE to attack Iran.
6 US F-35s seen taking of from UAE. Iran issues warning to UAE that they will be attacked should any US aircraft launched from their country attack Iran.
— DEFCONWarningSystem (@DEFCONWSALERTS) January 8, 2020
Earlier today it was reported by CNN’s Barbara Starr that nuclear-capable B-52s will be “available for operations against Iran if ordered.”
A US military base near the Erbil airport has also been targeted, al-Miyaddin reported, quoting its correspondent. https://t.co/aY4cywIJCj
— emma (@bymyelf) January 8, 2020
***
It has just been confirmed that Iran has hit a US military base in Iraq with “tens of missiles.”
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
From senior US military source in Iraq:
“Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short range ballistic missiles. All over the country.”— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 7, 2020
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it is responsible for launching the missiles. The name of the ongoing retaliation is Operation Martyr Soleimani.
The drop in S&P futures is accelerating as more senior US military officials confirm that a US army base in Iraq is under ballistic missile attack.
? ?? BREAKING ?? ?#IRGC confirms hitting #US #AinAlAssad airbase in #Iraq with tens of missiles.#GeneralSoleimani #DecisiveResponse #SoleimaniAssassination pic.twitter.com/7r13OcqRqS
— Press TV (@PressTV) January 7, 2020
#BREAKING
Its confirmed; the #US based #AinAlAsad military base in #Anbar hit by six missiles fired from #Iran. pic.twitter.com/WbPfPJz8KZ— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) January 7, 2020
It seems #AinAlAsad military base attacked by short-range ballistic missiles.
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) January 7, 2020
U.S. defense official confirms that Al Asad air base in Iraq's Anbar province has been hit by at least six rockets tonight. Additional details unclear. But very credible source.
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) January 7, 2020
An American military official is quoted as saying:
“Not only al-Assad, but all of our bases in Iraq have been targeted. The attacks used short-range cruise and ballistic missiles.”
CONFIRMED: #Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it is responsible for launching missiles against US military bases in #Iraq.
Name of the ongoing retaliation is Operation Martyr #Soleimani.
— Sarah Abdallah (@sahouraxo) January 7, 2020
WE TRIED TO WARN YOU BUT NOBODY LISTENED!
Republished from TheMindUnleashed.com under Creative Commons
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