U.S. officials have confirmed that several of the missiles fired by Iran failed to hit their targets, new reports said on Tuesday night.
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Citing a U.S. defense official, Los Angeles Times and Fox News both reported that four of 15 missiles Iran fired at U.S. targets failed.
Of the 15 missiles, 10 hit the Al Assad Air Base in Anbar province, Iraq, one missile struck the Combined Joint Operations Center in Irbil, Iraq, and four missiles failed.
The missiles were reportedly tracked by radar systems, allowing U.S. forces to move to safety before they struck. The U.S. did not attempt to intercept the missiles.
No U.S. casualties have been reported, although a defense official speaking anonymously said there are reports of Iraqi casualties.
President Trump tweeted at 9:45 p.m. EST, saying, “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.”
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
The White House had confirmed earlier that Trump was briefed and meeting with his national security team.
The Pentagon confirmed earlier on Tuesday evening that “more than a dozen ballistic missiles” were fired from Iran.
“Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
Iranian state television said Iran admitted to launching “’tens’ of surface-to-surface missiles,” in revenge for the killing of IRGC Quds Force Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the Associated Press reported.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a statement saying, “We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif attempted to deescalate the conflict and said Iran had concluded its retaliation.
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
“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,” he said.
