The Day Of Judgment: From Iran To The United States

Photo illustration (jorono / Pixabay)

JAKARTA - It started only Wednesday when Iran launched a missile attack to bombard the United States (US) military based in Iraq, January 8. The day is still as green as when a US air strike killed Qasem Soleimani. The time for revenge arrived.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement that the bases targeted were al-Asad air base and other facilities in Erbil, Iraq.

Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from its territory at at least two Iraqi-owned facilities housing US-led coalition personnel.

US President Donald Trump gave a statement via his personal Twitter account, saying that a tally of casualties and damage from the attacks was being carried out.

"All is well! Missiles were launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Casualties and damage counts are being carried out now. So far so good! So far, we have the most powerful and well-equipped military equipment in the world! I will make a statement tomorrow morning (US time), "Trump 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! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has confirmed it fired the missiles in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani last week.

The troops advised the US to withdraw its troops from the area they attacked to prevent more deaths and warned US allies including Israel not to allow attacks from their territory.

Hours before the attack on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the US should anticipate Iranian retaliation for the assassination of Iraqi General Soleimani.

"I think we have to predict that they (Iran) will retaliate in some way, way or pattern," Defense Minister Esper told reporters.

Earlier a senior Iranian official said that Iran was considering several scenarios for retaliating against Soleimani's death. He said this amidst the crowd filling the streets for Qasem Soleimani's funeral.

"We will take revenge, retaliation stern and definite," said the Chief of the Guard.