IT’S WAR! MISSILES FIRED FROM IRAN; REVENGE; OIL UP 4%

Iran fires TENS of ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq in operation ‘Martyr Soleimani’ after promising ‘crushing revenge’ for Trump’s decision to kill the top general in drone strike ping that round

• Tehran has tonight launched a missile attack on two Iraqi air bases
• The rockets hit Ain Asad which houses US and coalition troops
• Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan – which provides facilities and services to at least hundreds of coalition personnel and CIA operatives – was also attacked
• The Pentagon confirmed: ‘At approximately 5.30pm (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition’
• Iran state TV said ‘tens’ of surface-to-surface missiles were launched Tuesday   
• It’s unclear if there are any casualties at the base where President Trump visited in December 2018
• Local reports initially suggested that five rockets had struck the al-Taji military base situated 30km north of Baghdad, after ‘shelter in place’ sirens were heard 
• However, Kurdistan 24 reporter Barzan Sadiq later tweeted that the base was calm on Tuesday night and suggested the purported attack was likely just a drill
• Reports of the strike occurred just hours after a flurry of US airstrikes were carried out on militia bases in Western Iraq and Syria  

Iran launches ‘more than a dozen’ missiles into Iraq targeting US, coalition forces, Pentagon says

Iran fired “more than a dozen ballistic missiles” into Iraq, targeting U.S. military and coalition forces early Wednesday, Pentagon officials said.

The missiles targeted military bases in Al-Assad and Irbil, the Pentagon added. There was no immediate word on injuries or damage.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said after the attack: “We are aware of the reports of attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq. The president has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.” It was not immediately clear how the U.S. may respond.

The Pentagon added: “In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard our personnel and partners. These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region. As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”

Iran strikes back at US with missile attack at bases in Iraq
 

Oil prices surge more than 4% following attack on Iraq airbase

Oil prices surged more than 4% in early trading on Tuesday night after Pentagon officials said that Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against multiple bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops.