© 2024
NPR News, Colorado Stories
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Iran Strikes Iraqi Bases Housing American Troops

Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for military leader Qassem Soleimani. He was killed on January 3 in a drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump, ratcheting up tensions with Iran which struck two Iraqi bases housing American troops on Wednesday morning.
ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for military leader Qassem Soleimani. He was killed on January 3 in a drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump, ratcheting up tensions with Iran which struck two Iraqi bases housing American troops on Wednesday morning.

Iranian missiles struck two Iraqi airbases that held American troops early Wednesday morning.

The Iranian government said the ballistic missile attack was in response to an American drone strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani last Friday.

President Donald 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!”

The Pentagon said there were no American casualties immediately reported, though Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps reported at least 80 American deaths.

Shortly after the incident, Iranian foreign minister Mohamed Javad Zarif tweeted, in part: “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”

How should we understand this strike? What actions might American officials take next?

This story is developing. Follow NPR, or your local member station to get the latest updates.

GUESTS

Alireza Nader, Senior fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; @AlirezaNader

For more, visit https://the1a.org.

© 2020 WAMU 88.5 – American University Radio.

Copyright 2020 WAMU 88.5. To see more, visit WAMU 88.5.

Tags