ORLANDO, Fla. – The Department of Defense said around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Iran launched at least 12 ballistic missiles against the U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq.
The missiles were targeted at least two military bases hosting U.S. military personnel, according to the Department of Defense.
The following statement is attributed to @ChiefPentSpox: At approximately 1730 EST on Jan. 7, Iran launched at least a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military & coalition forces in Iraq.
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) January 8, 2020
It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran & targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military & coalition personnel at Al-Assad & Irbil.
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) January 8, 2020
We are working on initial battle damage assessments.
Representatives and senators responded online after the military attacks:
Senator Marco Rubio said Iran is openly calling for Americans to turn on each other.
“Tonight American and allied troops have come under direct attack by a nation-state and Americans must come together to support and protect them and respond appropriately,” Senator Rubio posted on Twitter.
#Iran is now openly calling for American’s to turn on each other.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 8, 2020
The time will come to debate U.S. policy.
Tonight American & allied troops have come under direct attack by a nation-state & Americans must come together to support & protect them & respond appropriately.
Senator Rick Scott said no attack against U.S. personnel will be taken lightly.
“President Donald Trump has made it clear that acts of aggression against Americans will not be tolerated. Just ask General Soleimani."
🚨LIVE 📺 ALERT!
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 8, 2020
I’ll be on @FoxBusiness with @trish_regan tonight at 8:30PM to talk about the latest on #Iran.@realDonaldTrump has made it clear that acts of aggression against Americans will not be tolerated. Just ask General Soleimani.
“As reports come in of attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq, please join me in praying for the safety of our brave service members and diplomats now in harm’s way. May God be with them and may we find a swift and peaceful resolution to this crisis,” Rep. Stephanie Murphy posted on Twitter.
As reports come in of attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq, please join me in praying for the safety of our brave servicemembers and diplomats now in harm’s way. May God be with them and may we find a swift and peaceful resolution to this crisis. https://t.co/0W4SESGir1
— Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) January 8, 2020
“To the American people shaken up by this news: we are here for you and will do everything we can to keep our brave troops abroad out of harms way,” Rep. Darren Soto posted on Twitter.
Praying for the safety of our service members in Iraq right now.
— US Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) January 8, 2020
To the American people shaken up by this news: we are here for you and will do everything we can to keep our brave troops abroad out of harms way. https://t.co/4YhvPqMi1v
The last thing it (Iran) wants is all-out war with the United States. They know they will lose. The thing the Iranian regime cares about the most is its own survival. Rep. Michael Waltz said.