Donald Trump says all US soldiers are safe after Iran claimed 80 ‘American terrorists’ were killed in missile strikes
DONALD Trump has said no Americans were harmed in the missile attacks on military bases housing US troops in Iraq.
The President’s assertion came in the wake of the Iranian state TV claiming 80 "American terrorists" were killed in the strikes.
The surprise attack was aimed at the Al Asad and Erbil air bases in retaliation for the US killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Iran today bragged it had given America a "slap in the face" following attacks on US military sites in Iraq, with at least 15 missiles.
But speaking at the White House the President said: "No Americans were harmed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties.
"The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.”
Trump also appeared to signal that he wanted to de-escalate tensions with Iran.
"We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place," he said.
Despite the Iranian claim about US casualties, officials said troops were able to shelter in bunkers during the attack.
The President said "an early warning system that worked well" and the dispersal of troops prevented any deaths.
Iran's state TV boasted the operation was named 'Martyr Soleimani' and was carried out in memory of the Revolutionary Guard leader killed last week in a US drone strike.
The coordinated attack was launched at 1.20am this morning - the exact time Soleimani was killed last Friday.
In a public address, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described the strike as a "slap in the face" for Donald Trump's America.
He added that it was "not close to the significance of the brutal crime you have committed" by killing Soleimani, and that "real revenge will be to remove you from the region".
However, President Trump later took to Twitter to calm nerves.
He wrote: "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!"
It also said Iran had identified 100 targets in the region that would be targeted were the US to retaliate to last night's attack.
Following the attack, a Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737 crashed just a few miles from Tehran's main airport, killing all 176 people on board and sparking fears it had been shot down.
News of both incidents came as a 4.9 magnitude earthquake rocked the city of Bushehr, which is home to Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
The earthquake had a depth of six miles, and is believed to have been felt in Afghanistan.
It was reported ten of Iran's ballistic missiles struck the Al Asad base, one hit the town of Erbil, and four others were unsuccessful in hitting their targets.
The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were no immediate reports of American casualties, but building searches are being conducted.
Soon after the missiles were launched, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif called the attack a proportionate measure in self-defense and said he doesn't want the situation to escalate.
Zarif tweeted: "We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression."
Footage of the missile strikes appeared to have showed fiery explosions.
Top Democrats in Congress were briefed by Vice President Mike Pence Tuesday on the Iranian strikes on installations in Iraq holding US forces.
VP Pence's spokeswoman Katie Waldman confirmed the vice president has had constant communication with national security officials.
Surface-to-surface missiles - said to have been fired from inside Iran - were aimed at the Al-Asad air base that houses American troops.
Another facility in Erbil, in the Kurdish region of Iraq, was also targeted.
Video shows several rockets glowing in the night sky. They are believed to be defensive rockets set up to intercept the missiles.
The Revolutionary Guard then warned the US and its regional allies against retaliating.
An hour after the attack began a second round of rockets was launched, Iranian media said.
It came after huge crowds took to the streets of Iran to mourn Soleimani.
The Iranian Fars news agency tweeted a picture of a missile being fired with the words: "Hard Revenge."
State TV also described the attack, which took place early on Wednesday morning local time, as Tehran’s revenge operation for Soleimani’s death.
“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,” the Guard said in a statement, that also threatened Israel.
A US military source in Iraq told Fox News: “Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short range ballistic missiles. All over the country.”
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said: "We are working on initial battle damage assessments."
Al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria and was visited by Donald Trump in 2018.
Soleimani, 62, spearheaded Iran's military operations in the Middle East as head of the country's elite Quds Force, considered to be a terrorist organisation by the US.
Trump claimed he ordered the strike because Soleimani was plotting further attacks and the killing sparked a tense wait for Iran’s response amid fears of a devastating war.
Thousands of Iranians flooded the streets of Tehran for his funeral on Monday.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wept over the general's casket during his prayers as mourners waved flags and demanded revenge.
And thousands more turned out in his home town of Kerman today, sparking a stampede which left 40 dead and 213 injured.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over a million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets.
The Federal Aviation Administration has prohibited US pilots and carriers from flying over Iranian airspace following the missile strikes.
A warning of "the potential for miscalculation or mis-identification" for civilian aircraft was issued.
US pilots and carriers are banned from flying in areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace.