Breaking News Update: Futures Tumble! Iran Fires 'Tens of Missiles' at American Base North of Baghdad! +Video

By Tyler Durden / ZeroHedge

Update 6: The drop in S&P futures is accelerating as more senior US military officials confirm that a US army base in Iraq is under ballistic missile attack. The drop in S&P futures is accelerating as US and Iranian sources report attacks “all over the country.”

Brent futures have extended their gains to 3% on the news, which seems to suggest that the crisis between the US and Iran over the killing of Suleimani is far from over.

While details on casualties are still unclear, experts are saying that the weapons used were either cruise missiles, or short-range ballistic weaponry, or possibly a mix.

Jennifer Griffin✔@JenGriffinFNC

From senior US military source in Iraq:
“Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short range ballistic missiles. All over the country.”

3:16 PM – Jan 7, 2020

And we now have a statement from the IRGC claiming responsibility for the attacks: “The brave soldiers of IRGC’s aerospace unit have launched a successful attack with tens of ballistic missiles on Al Assad military base in the name of martyr Gen. Qasem Soleimani.”

Looking ahead, many are wondering if the fighting will reach Baghdad.

Feras Kilani فراس كيلاني✔@FerasKilaniBBC

Meanwhile, it is quite calm here in #Baghdad, but not expected to stay for long.. It is the WAR

3:36 PM – Jan 7, 2020

And the White House has confirmed that President Trump has been briefed on the attacks, and is monitoring the situation closely with his national security team at the White House.

Given the severity of the situation, it’s still strange that the US was slow to confirm the initial reports. A reporter for CNN is reporting that the Pentagon was slow to respond because officials were “sent home early for what was supposed to be a major snowstorm” in DC.

Nancy Pelosi was reportedly briefed about the attacks during a steering meeting. Her response to her fellow members? Pray….

Lauren Fox✔@FoxReports

Multiple members tell reporters that Pelosi received a note during the steering meeting informing her of the attack in Iraq. Her message to her members in the room? Pray.

3:46 PM – Jan 7, 2020

Iranian sources are claiming that the operation has a name: ‘Operation Martyr Suileimani’.

Steve Herman✔@W7VOA

Replying to @W7VOA @PressSec

#IRGC has launched ‘Operation Martyr Soleimani’ by firing missiles at the base in #Iraq, according to Tasnimnews_Fa.

3:52 PM – Jan 7, 2020

* * *

Update 5: Bloomberg has now confirmed WaPo’s reporting, adding that at least nine rockets have now hit Al-Asad Airbase. There have also been reports of IRGC commanders claiming to have launched “tens of missiles” at the base.

Al Mayadeen TV has also confirmed.

And just like that, ES is sliding, and Brent is spiking…

* * *

Update 4: Confirmation at last.

After hours of vague and unconvincing reports about a string of attacks on US buildings in Iraq, the Washington Post has apparently confirmed that at least one of the attacks – the most recent to be reported – is real.

Reporter Dan Lamothe described his source as “very credible.”

Dan Lamothe✔@DanLamothe

U.S. defense official confirms that Al Asad air base in Iraq’s Anbar province has been hit by at least six rockets tonight. Additional details unclear. But very credible source.

3:07 PM – Jan 7, 2020

Video of alleged Iranian rockets raining down on the American base has just hit Twitter.

Israel Breaking@IsraelBreaking

BREAKING VIDEO: Suspected Iranian originating rockets seen being launched toward military base housing US forces in Iraq moments ago.

3:15 PM – Jan 7, 2020

So it looks like this really is the Iranian retaliation that we’ve been waiting for.

* * *

Update 3: And the stream of strange reports of attacks and sirens at US bases and consulates around the Middle East continues, as a reporter for Al-Monitor, a credible English-language source of news and analysis on the Middle East region, claims another missile attack has been reported, this time at Al-Asad airbase in Anbar Province.

Reports claim that more than 30 missiles have been launched at the base, and still more are coming in.

Jack Detsch@JackDetsch_ALM

NEW: Defense official tells me that Al-Asad airbase that houses US & coalition troops in Iraq has been hit with 6 rockets. Not clear if there are any casualties.

2:49 PM – Jan 7, 2020

Following reports of a siren heard at the US consulate in Erbil, Iraqi TV is reporting that flights into the local airport have been suspended.

Once again, Iranian media is reporting the attacks, though we must admit, the photo below doesn’t exactly look genuine.

خبرگزاری فارس✔@FarsNews_Agency

#فوری| انتقام سخت به وقوع پیوست/ برخی منابع خبر از شلیک موشک‌های بالستیک ایرانی به سمت پایگاه عین‌الاسد در عراق که محل استقرار نیروهای آمریکایی است، می‌دهند.

2:54 PM – Jan 7, 2020

The mainstream American press and Pentagon are still eerily quiet.

* * *

Update 2: The UK tabloid Daily Mail is now reporting at “siren test” at Taji military base in Iraq, which it says is host to British and American troops. The report appears to have verified claims that at least five rockets have hit the base, and that sirens have been heard ringing out at consulates around the area, including Erbil, which we noted below.

Critically, the paper notes that some reports suggest that the missile strike might simply be a drill. It also noted that the alleged strike is unfolding just hours after a flurry of US airstrikes on militia bases in Western Iraq and Syria, targeting the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units.

One local journalist reports that his sources say the “attack” was merely just a drill, and that the base is “calm tonight.”

Barzan Sadiq✔@BarzanSadiq

According to my sources, #Taji camp is calm tonight and no attacks occurred. I will keep you updated.

1:52 PM – Jan 7, 2020

* * *

More unconfirmed reports are trickling in, this time from Australia-based cleric Imam Tawhidi.

Imam of Peace / Pray for Peace…✔@Imamofpeace

#BREAKING: US air defence put on high alert, anticipating a bigger attack by Iran or their militias in Iraq. 5 rockets fired on Camp #Taji, Iraq, minutes ago.

1:52 PM – Jan 7, 2020

Imam of Peace / Pray for Peace…✔@Imamofpeace

#NEW: Pictures of US forces leaving Camp Taji to exit Iraq’s territories.

(These pictures were taken a few hours ago and the surroundings cannot identify their location/direction anyway. Safe to post).

1:57 PM – Jan 7, 2020

Imam of Peace / Pray for Peace…✔@Imamofpeace

The Military COALITION base in #Taji is not empty. Anywhere the rockets land will cause significant harm. We hope that all US forces have left already. (If the US forces are no longer there, the militias will stop firing rockets at soldiers from other countries).

2:02 PM – Jan 7, 2020

And a video purporting to depict a warning at the base advising personnel to “shelter in place” – though there’s no way of telling whether it is authentic.

صدى العراق | Sada Al-Iraq@SADA_IRAQ

A video from the Taji base, north of Baghdad, where American forces are present, warning of missile strikes.
#Iraq_Rocking pic.twitter.com/NyE3zsbuUj@ELINTNews

1:49 PM – Jan 7, 2020

* * *

Update: The Jerusalem Post has apparently picked up reports from Iran’s Fars news agency claiming that at least five rockets have hit Taji, potentially placing the lives of American troops in peril.

That means the reports of the attack, which were first circulated by unconfirmed accounts, have now been vetted by the mainstream press.

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The Jerusalem Post✔@Jerusalem_Post

#BREAKING At least 4 rockets hit #Iraq‘s Taji base that hosts #American troops, according to reports. https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Multiple-rockets-hit-Taji-base-in-Iraq-hosting-American-troops-613476 …

Multiple rockets hit Iraqi base, sirens heard at US consulate: report

At least five rockets reportedly hit the Taji base in Iraq north of Baghdad on Tuesday, according to initial reports. The base hosts American soldiers.

jpost.com

1:24 PM – Jan 7, 2020

And, as we noted below, markets are taking the news seriously.

Following four days of increasingly belligerent threats from Iran and its leadership, unconfirmed reports claim 5 missiles have just struck a US base in Iraq.

The base is called Taji camp, and it’s situated about 17 miles north of Baghdad. Notably, US troops are housed at the camp.

If this is an Iranian attack, it’s notable that it’s coming at the end of the four days of mourning for General Qasem Suleimani, who was killed last week in an audacious drone strike ordered by President Trump while Suleimani was attending a meeting in Baghdad.

Ominously, the heavily-followed (though not official) twitter account @Iran, tweeted a threatening message a few hours ago…

Iran@Iran

Waiting for tonight,
We’ve dreamed of this for so long
Waiting for tonight…#SvereRevenge #Iran

8:32 AM – Jan 7, 2020

Though the reports are unconfirmed, news of what could be the beginning of Iran’s threatened retaliation for the killing of General Qasem Suilemani inspired a slight pop in crude futures.

Gold jumped…

…while stocks are unhappy.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/missile-strike-reportedly-carried-out-against-us-base-iraq

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