Iran launched 12 missiles at an American base (Image: GETTY/TWITTER @AlHadath)
09.00am update: Israel will “stand completely” beside the US
Israels president Benjamin Netanyahu says Trump should be congratulated for acting swiftly, bodly and resolutely.
He added any country attacking Israel will be dealt the “strongest blow”.
08:45am update: Missiles revealed by Iranian minister
Amir Hatami, Iranian Defence Minister, claimed short range missiles were used in the attack on the US base.
08.20am: Iran claims attack was “self-defence”
Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed Tehran’s attack in Iraq was “legitimate self-defence”.
The foreign minister was speaking to Iran’s state TV.
08.10am: Iranians chant “Death to England”
Iranians chanted “Death to England” as the Revolutionary Guard haiied ballistic missile strikes on Iraqi bases housing US and British troops.
Crowds also responded to the military official by shouting “Allahu Akbar” and “Death to Israel”
08.00am update: President Rouhani threatens to “cut off” US’ leg
He said the US may have “cut off Soleimani’s arm” but Iran willl respond by “cutting off your leg” in the region.
07.55am update: Ukranian embassy to Iran suggests engine failure was the reason for the crash in Iran
The embassy believes it was engine failure rather than a missile attack.
In a statement, it said 168 people had bought tickets for the flight.
07.50am update: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses missile attack
The leader is currently speaking at a commeoration event.
He told crowds: “We just gave them a slap in the face last night.
“Retaliation, these military actions, do not compensate for the issue. What is important is the ending of American presence.”
07.45am update: Commercial airlines corssing the Middle East re-routed
Qantas said it was altering its London to Perth routes to avoid Iran and Iraq airspace until further notice.
Malaysia Airlines said that “due to recent events” its planes would avoid Iranian airspace.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of the “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions.
07.30am update: UK’s foreign secretary condemns Iranian missile attack
In a satement, he said: “We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition – including British – forces.
“We are concerned by reports of casualties and use of ballistic missiles.
“We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation.
“A war in the Middle East would only benefit Daesh and other terrorist groups.”
07.15am update: Iranian President to make statement
Iran’s state run broadcaster Press TV claimed the President was going to make an announcement soon.
It claimed he would be delivering a speech at a meeting broadcast live on television.
6.45am update: No Iraqi casualities in Iranian attack according to statement from Iraq’a military
Iraq’s military said 22 missiles were launched on Ain Al Asad airbase that houses US coalition troops.
A statement read: “Iraq was subjected between 1.45am and 2.45am this morning of 8 January 2020 to bombardment by 22 missiles; 17 missiles fell on Ain al-Asad air base including two that did not explode … and five on the city of Erbil that all fell on coalition headquarters.
“No casualties among Iraqi forces were recorded.”
6.15am update: No British service personnel were hurt in the missile attacks on Iraq
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that no British service personnel were hurt in the missile attacks on Iraq.
There are around 400 troops stationed in the country.
5.15am update: Passengers on board the Ukrainian passenger plane have been reported as dead
All 170 passengers on board have been pronounced dead.
An investigation team was at the site of the crash, according to civil aviation spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh.
Flight data from the airport showed a Ukrainian 737-800 flown by Ukraine International Airlines took off on Wednesday morning then stopped sending data eight minutes later, according to FlightRadar24.
It is unclear whether the crash was related to Iran’s attack on US airbases in Iraq.
4.30am update: Ukrainian passenger plane with 170 people on board ‘crashes near Tehran’
A Ukranian plane carrying 170 passengers on board has crashed near Tehran International Airport, according to sources.
The plane was believed to be a Boeing 737.
Iranian Fars News Agency said the plane suffered technical problems then went down after take off.
3.05am update: Iranian missiles hit parts of Al Asad airbase which is not populated by US officials
The initial assessment is that Iranian missiles struck parts of the Al Asad airbase which is reportedly not populated by Americans US officials have said, according to CNN.
3am update: Trump responds on Twitter to missile attack – ‘All is well!’
US President Donald Trump has responded on Twitter to the attack on two military bases in Iraq.
He said: “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.
2.40am update: Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran reacts on Twitter
Javad Zarif said on Twitter: “Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani (Image: GETTY)
2.35am update: US Senator calls Iran’s attack ‘an act of war’
US Senator Lindsey Graham calls Iranian missile attack on US airbases an “act of war”.
He also said Trump has “all the authority he needs” to respond, according to BNO news.
2.20am update: UK Government spokesman says the priority is the security of British personnel
Sky News editor Deborah Haynes tweeted that a UK Government spokesman has said the UK’s first priority is “the security of British personnel” following the Iranian ballistic missile strikes on bases in Iraq.
He said: “We are urgently working to establish the facts on the ground. Our first priority is the security of British personnel.”
2am update: Qasem Soleimani is buried in his hometown
Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani who was killed by the US is now being buried in his hometown after Iran retaliated against US forces.
1.55am update: Explosions heard in Baghdad says local reports
Explosions have been heard in Baghdad according to local sources who also say that US helicopters and planes have been seen.
1.50am update: Mark Esper and Mike Pence leave the White House
Top officials who met with Trump including Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Defence Mark Esper, have left the White House.
1.40am update: White House spokeswoman says Trump will not be addressing the nation tonight
US President Donald Trump was expected to address the US over the attacks on US troops.
However, a White House spokeswoman has now said that Trump will not be addressing the nation.
1.30am update: Iran’s military has killed 30 US soldiers in Iraq, according to local reports
Local reports claim that Iran’s military has killed 30 US soldiers in Iraq tonight.
US officials have only reported Iraqi casualties so far.
Footage shows the moment Iranian forces fired multiple missiles on US military bases in Iraq (Image: TWITTER @AlHadath)
1.15am update: Iran’s IRGC issues chilling warning to the US
Tehran warned Washington against any more provocation.
According to the Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC (Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) said in a statement: “We warn the Great Satan, the bloodthirsty and arrogant regime of the US, that any new wicked act or more moves and aggressions (against Iran) will bring about more painful and crushing responses.”
The statement added: “We are warning all US allies who gave their bases to its terrorist army that any territory that in any way becomes the starting point of hostile and aggressive acts against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be targeted.
“We in no way consider the Zionist regime (of Israel) to be separated from the criminal US regime in these crimes.”
1.07am update: Iraqi source says there are casualties
An Iraqi source told CNN that there are casualitues among Iraqi forces at the Al-asad airbase.
However, there is still now word on US casualities.
1am update: Photo from local sources shows an unexploded missile near airport
An image posted by Rudaw Media Network in Kurdistan shows an unexploded missile near Erbil International airport.
12.57am update: Trump to address the nation later on today
US President Donald Trump is expected to address the nation later on tonight, according to CNN.
12.50am update: Pentagon confirms attack on US military bases in Iraq
“At approximately 5.30pm (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.
“It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil.
“We are working on initial battle damage and assessment.
“In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defence 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 interesting in the region.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region.
“Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
The attack is believed to be revenge for Trump’s assassination of General Qasem Soleimani (Image: GETTY)
12.45am update: Locations of attacks revealed
Tehran reportedly launched multiple attacks at US targets across Iraq including Erbil in northern Iraq and the al-Assad air base in western Iraq.
A Kurdish local told the Daily Mirror: “We have been waiting for this – there was a big explosion in Erbil now and everyone believes the war has started.
“This is what we have all feared would happen. We don’t know what it is but it was very loud.”
12.30am update: Iran takes credit for devastating rocket attack
Iran has now taken credit for the rocket attack that hit the al-Asad airbase in Iraq which housed US troops.
Iran are reportedly calling the attack Operation Martyr Soleimani, accoridng to the Mirror Online.
Iranian state television reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC “hit US Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq with tens of missiles.”
The IGRC also warned the US of more “crushing responses in case of new aggression,” according to state TV. The IRGC also said it will target any regional state that becomes a platform for US aggression.
First fruits, separated unto God First fruits of God are His prime choice out of…
Fraudsters using Bianca Ojukwu for scams The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu,…
During the session, the House discussed the persistent killings of Christians by Islamist extremists. The…
He described any attempt to prosecute Kanu under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 as…
According to reports, Nigeria’s power sector loses billions of naira annually to electricity theft and…
Trump administration to unfreeze foreign aid A divided Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Trump…