Trump chairs the "War Council" and the Pentagon says "Iran launches a major attack"
English - Wednesday 08 January 2020 الساعة 08:18 am
aden,newsyemen
The Pentagon said on Wednesday dawn that Iran is "launching a major attack" against bases that include "American forces and their allies" in Iraq.
The foreign and defense ministers, Esper and Pompeo, went to the White House where Trump reported the attacks and chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (War Council).
Iranian media and platforms broadcast photos and videos of what were said to be ballistic missile attacks targeting American forces.
The casualties and injuries are crucial for Washington to decide to respond to the attacks and hit Iranian targets.
A US official had described a "major attack", before news of a renewed missile attack, on Ain al-Assad base in Anbar, western Iraq.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and Tehran, have adopted the ballistic missile attacks.
It was confirmed that the attacks targeted at least two bases, Ein al-Assad, and another base in Erbil, according to a US statement.
Commenting on the attacks, the Pentagon statement said, "We will take measures to protect our forces and allies."
He said Iran was launching an attack against the American-led forces in Iraq.
A first statement from the Pentagon confirmed the fall of at least 10 ballistic missiles at Ein Al-Assad Air Base, which hosts American forces.
He spoke of a "state of alert" that was taken by US forces in advance.
Iranian sources reported that dozens of ballistic missile attacks were a response to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani.
"We are working on a preliminary damage assessment," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement, adding that the two targeted bases were Ein al-Assad Air Base and another base in Erbil.
A statement attributed to the Revolutionary Guards in the Iranian media advised Washington not to respond, vowing in turn "an overwhelming response," and said that Washington should withdraw its forces in full.
