Trump says none harmed, offers peace
WASHINGTON, Jan 8: Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces’ are stationed in Iraq, which Tehran said was a “slap in the face” of America.
According to Iranian state TV, the attacks were in revenge for the killing of the commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, General Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike on Friday, which was ordered by President Donald Trump.
While the Iranian state television claimed that “at least 80 terrorist US soldiers” were killed in the strikes, the Pentagon said it is working on initial battle damage assessments. Some 5,000 US soldiers are in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the IS terror group.
The Iraqi military in a statement said a total of 22 missiles hit two bases housing US troops, but there were no victims among the Iraqi forces.
Shortly after the missile attacks, Trump 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.”
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the attacks were a “slap in the face” of the US.
In a speech broadcast live on State television, Khamenei said, “Last night, a slap in the face was delivered.”
US officials said President Trump has been briefed and he is monitoring the situation.
“We are working on initial battle damage assessments,” Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said.
Hoffman said around 5:30 pm on January 7, “Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US 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 US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil,” he said.
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said the President has been briefed about the situation.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that no Americans were harmed in the attack by Iran on US bases in Iraq as he offered to embrace peace along with the Iranian leadership, in a significant move to de-escalate the tensions in the Middle East.
“We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House Grand Foyer.
“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” Trump said as he described Gen Soleimani as a “ruthless terrorist.”
Trump also vowed that he will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
“As long as I’m President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
In a direct message to the Iranian leaders and the people, Trump said the United States is “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it”.
“To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future and a great future, one that you deserve,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Iran will welcome any peace initiative by India to de-escalate tensions with the US following the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian envoy said in New Delhi while asserting that his country wants peace not war.
Iran’s Ambassador to India Ali Chegeni also expressed the hope there would be no further escalation in hostilities between his country and the US.
“India usually plays a very good role in (maintaining) peace in the world. India belongs to this region. We welcome all initiatives from all countries, especially India as a good friend for us, to not allow escalation (of tensions),” Chegeni told reporters after a condolence meeting for Soleimani at the Iranian Embassy here.
“We are not for war, we are looking for peace and prosperity for everybody in this region. We welcome any Indian initiative or any project that can help peace and prosperity in this world,” he said.
Amid spiralling US-Iran tensions over the killing of Soleimani, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, voicing India’s concerns over the escalation of tensions.
Meanwhile, sources said Zarif is expected to visit India to attend the Raisina Dialogue next week.
During his visit, Zarif will also hold talks with Jaishankar, the sources said.
India has reached out to several stakeholders in the region over the security situation prevailing in the Middle East.
Jaishankar has also separately spoken with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well his Jordanian and Qatari counterparts Ayman Safadi and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani respectively, on the tense situation in the region. (PTI)
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