Iran has claimed responsibility for rocket attacks at the Ain Al-Asad airbase in western Iraq. The Pentagon has confirmed that more than a dozen ballistic missiles were fired at the U.S targets just hours after crowds filled the streets for the funeral of Qassem Soleimani. It is noteworthy that the Iranian top general was killed in an American drone airstrike last week. The U.S President had previously threatened retaliation if Iran used force against America but in its claim of responsibility. Iran’s IRGC (Revolutionary Guard) warned Washington against that course of action. Iranian state television said Tehran had launched tens of surface-to-air missiles at the base. The IRGC also warned America’s regional allies that if any retaliatory strikes were launched from their territory, they could expect to be attacked as well.
Tehran and its proxy militias in Iraq had threatened revenge on American forces, in the days following the killing of Soleimani in Baghdad. Some reports also said Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei had declared that any response should be carried out by Iran’s own military forces. Soleimani is alleged of coordinating Iran‘s connections in the region. He was killed outside Baghdad airport in the early hours on Friday morning. A funeral was held for him on Tuesday in Iran. It is important that the Iraqi parliament also voted to expel U.S troops from the country. There are at least 5,000 U.S troops in Iraq, but the U.S has reinforced its positions and its ally the UK has also placed its military on standby.
Trump warned Iran on Tuesday against any retaliation. He was speaking with reporters in the Oval Office. Trump said, “If Iran does anything they shouldn’t be doing, they are going to be suffering the consequences, and very strongly”. The White House said the president had been briefed on the situation. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said, “We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. The president has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team”.