Iranian state television reported Wednesday (Jan 8) that at most 80 terrorists from America were killed by 15 missiles Tehran launched against U.S forces in Iraq. None of these missiles were stopped.
State TV quoted a senior Revolutionary Guards source as saying that Iran could achieve 100 goals in the region if Washington took certain measures.
It also stated that U.S. military equipment and helicopters were “badly damaged”. It did not provide evidence as to how it obtained this information.
In retaliation to its U.S. drone strike within an undercover commander’s death, Iran launched missile strikes against U.S.-led troops in Iraq on Wednesday morning.
Iranian state television reported that Iran had launched 15 missiles against U.S. targets in Iraq on Wednesday morning. According to the U.S. military, at least two Iraqi facilities that house U.S.-led coalition workers were hit at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday (2230 GMT). According to Iraq, 22 missiles were also launched.
Iranian officials claimed Tehran did not need a war, and that its strikes had “reasoned,” its response to Friday’s murder of Qassem Solimani. This was a powerful general whose burial in Iran during later mourning was completed at exactly the same time as Iran’s missile launch. State television showed mourners watching the attack.
In a tweet, President Donald Trump said that an assessment of the casualties and damage caused by the strikes was underway and that he would make a statement Wednesday morning.
Trump stated on Twitter that “All is well!” he visited one of the targeted websites in Iraq at December 2018, Ain al-Asad Aviation.
One source claimed that early signs indicated there were no U.S. casualties. Other U.S. officials refused to comment.
Germany, Denmark, and Norway said that no troops were killed or injured in Iraq. Iraq claimed that there were no casualties among its own troops.
Iran, which stated that U.S. forces should leave the Middle East, informed Washington after the attacks to draw its troops and warn U.S. allies like Israel not to allow attacks from their lands.
Australian television reported that a formal was held at the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khameni, stating that the missile strikes were among the “weakest” retaliation scenarios. Another source stated that Iran had lined up 100 more goals.
State television reports that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani would speak.
Jonathan Hoffman, a Pentagon spokesperson, reported that the foundations were another center in Erbil and an atmosphere base.
Hoffman stated that “As we evaluate the problem and determine the solution, we’ll take all steps to protect and shield U.S. workers, partners and allies in this area.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Defense secretary Mark Esper stated that the United States should expect a response from Iran regarding the killing of Soleimani (commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force), a component in the Revolutionary Guards.
He stated that he believed it was reasonable to assume that they would retaliate in any way, shape or form.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister, stated that Iran “obtained & reasoned proportionate measures in self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.”
He wrote that “We don’t seek to escalation, warfare, but we will defend ourselves against aggression,” in a tweet.
The U.S. Army was not affected by the incident and Iran does not need to take any additional steps to retaliate to Soleimani’s death. Washington and Tehran may then be open to exploring other options to resolve their violent conflict.
