The US Defense Department says Iran has launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against the US military and coalition forces in Iraq.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the department said the attack took place approximately at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Eastern Standard Time.
It was 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Iraqi local time.
The statement said it is clear that the missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at al- Asad and Arbil.
It said the department is now working on initial damage assessments, and taking necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners and allies in the region.
Iran's state-run television reported that the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guards have attacked the al-Asad base with multiple missiles.
It added that the operation's name was "Martyr Soleimani."
The US military killed Iran's top military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad last week, acting on orders from President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that there will be retribution for the hostile US act.
Trump said on Tuesday that "we are totally prepared" for possible Iranian attacks.
NHK
