Iran has launched multiple surface to surface missiles, apparently from inside Iran, toward U.S. bases including Ain al-Asad in Anbar province in western Iraq. Apparently, other sites have been targeted as well, as many as 30 ballistic missiles.
This attack is in retaliation for the killing of the terrorist, Iranian Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani. Officials from Iran have been threatening such a retaliation since his death.
While a revenge strike was expected, this attack is an escalation of tension, since the attacks are coming from within Iran. The rules of engagement dictate that a proper U.S. response would be to destroy the source of the missiles, which would involve an incursion into sovereign Irani territory.
According to Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, “We are aware of the reports of attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq. The president has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.”
Iranian television has stated that “tens of missiles” were fired by Islamic Revolution Guards Corps into the U.S. Media reports say 10 missiles hit al-Asad airbase. “The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards has begun,” said the IRCG.
No information is yet available as to U.S. casualties or damages caused. It is also unknown if this is a single strike or the beginning of a larger effort.
Author’s note: The magnitude of the U.S. response may depend on American casualties. If there are American’s dead, the response will be huge. If no Americans were killed then our response will be more measured.