Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that Tehran had “concluded” its retaliatory attacks against the U.S. on Tuesday night after it fired over a dozen missiles at two military bases in Iraq where American troops are based.
President Trump is expected to address the attacks in an address Wednesday morning.
The Pentagon has not yet confirmed whether there were any casualties. However, Iraqi defense officials told the New York Times that nobody had been killed in the attacks.
Zarif tweeted that the missiles were “proportionate measures in self-defense” in response to the U.S.’ “cowardly armed attack,” in which President Donald Trump had Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani assassinated via drone strike.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he wrote.
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
“All is well!” Trump tweeted after the strikes. “Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now.”
“So far, so good!” he added.
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
CNN reported on Wednesday morning that Trump administration officials believe Iran had deliberately avoided hitting areas where Americans are staying when it fired at the bases, thereby merely sending the U.S. a warning rather than a push for war.
