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. 

A commander in the nearby town of al-Baghdadi, Qatri al-Obeidi said that the shelling on the base has now stopped. 

US President Donald Trump visited the base in December 2018 to visit the troops after Christmas. 

Vice President Mike Pence also visited the base in November last tear. 

The attack comes after Trump’s order to kill Iran General Qasem Soleimani.

Earlier on Tuesday, US forces and air-defence missile batteries across the Middle East were put on high alert in order to shoot down Iranian drones as intelligence surrounding the threat of an imminent attack against US targets mounted. 

Trump has been briefed on the reports of rocket attacks, according to the White House’s press secretary Stephanie Grisham. 

Ms Grisham said: “We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq. 

“The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.”

So far, it is unclear whether there is any damage to the base or causalities. 

Earlier reports suggested that the Al-Taji military base was also under attack, but it later emerged this was just a drill. 

In a statement from Assistant to the Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs, Jonathan Hoffman said: “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.”

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