Iran has launched a barrage of missiles that struck a joint US-Iraqi air base late on Tuesday, and the Pentagon confirmed that “more than a dozen” ballistic missiles had been fired at US targets.
State TV said Tehran‘s Revolutionary Guard had fired “tens” of warheads at Ain al- Asad base, and also another base in Erbil in Kurdistan, in revenge for the death of Qassem Soleimani.
American defence secretary Mark Esper told reporters Soleimani had been planning an attack within days, and was a “legitimate target”. Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump has backtracked on his threat to target 52 Iranian cultural sites in military attacks, saying he would obey international law.
Soleimani’s burial was delayed by several hours after at least 56 people were killed and 213 others injured after a stampede broke out during the funeral procession in his hometown of Kerman.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, flew to Brussels for emergency talks with the French and German foreign ministers about the situation in the Middle East and the escalating conflict in Libya.
'So far so good!' Trump tweets after missile strike on US Iraq bases
"So far so good!" is the message from Donald Trump, after Iran launched missile strikes against two US-Iraqi airbases. More follows…
National security officials leave White House
Joe Biden releases statement
German troops unhurt
None of the 115 German soldiers based in Erbil have been after missiles hit an airbase in the northern Iraqi city tonight, a spokesman for Bundeswehr operations has said.
He added: "I'm in contact with the comrades in Erbil. They are doing well considering the circumstances."
No speech from president
Donald Trump will not address the nation tonight, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham has confirmed.
Aides had been preparing a speech in case the president addressed the nation.
Second wave of attacks reported
Iran has started its "second round" of attacks against bases holding US troops in Iraq, the Tehran-based Tasnim news agency has claimed.
The second round of attacks has reportedly started an hour after the first phase took place.
Trump prepares to address nation
Donald Trump is preparing to address the nation after the missile attack on a US-Iraqi airbase, CNN reports.
White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins tweeted: "Aides are making urgent preparations at this hour for Trump to address the nation.
"The specific timing TBD & could be delayed given we are still learning info but two officials say a speech is being prepared and plans are being made for Oval address."
