Today, Iran lobbed a missile attack at U.S. bases in Iraq:
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a U.S. airbase in Iraq Wednesday morning local time, confirming warnings that President Donald Trump’s decision to assassinate Gen. Qasem Soleimani would spark military retaliation and possibly erupt into a full-blown regional conflict…
…In a statement following the attack on the al-Asad airbase, which was reportedly hit by more than a dozen missiles, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said “the brave soldiers of IRGC’s aerospace unit have launched a successful attack with tens of ballistic missiles on al-Asad military base in the name of martyr Gen. Qasem Soleimani.”
The IRGC warned that any countries in the region who are hosting U.S. military bases and personnel would be potential targets:
“We warn all allied countries of the U.S. that if attacks are launched from bases in their countries on Iran, they will be a target of military retaliation,” the IRGC said. “We call on Americans to recall all their soldiers back home to prevent more damage.”
There are reports that there have been no casualties and that Iran specifically targeted the Ayn al-Asad base to avoid casualties. Anbar province and Iraqi Kurdistan were also targeted, presumably to reduce the chances of Shia casualties.
Trump will not be addressing the country tonight and it is being suggested that deescalation is being pursued by both sides. Antiwar.com is reporting:
9:55 PM ET Iran says their retaliation is finished, and that they will stop attacking so long as the US doesn’t attack them anymore.
10:30 PM ET: Tweets from President Trump and Iranian FM Javad Zarif are suggesting a deescalation of the situation following the Iranian strikes. Zarif says Iran considers what they did “proportionate” to what the US did, and Trump is saying that “all is well.”
Veterans for Peace, along with other peace organizations, is coordinating antiwar demonstrations for this Thursday:
This moment calls for us to continue to take action in a multitude of ways. Veterans For Peace has endorsed two national days of action, including the January 9th No War With Iran Day of Action, powered by About Face: Veterans Against the War, National Iranian American Council (NIAC), MoveOn, Indivisible and Win Without War. Check and see if an event is in your city!
Here is the latest analysis from Kim Iversen, recorded right before Iran’s retaliation.