Iran launches two rounds of rockets targeting US bases in Iraq

In the first act of revenge, Iran has launched ballistic missiles targeting the US military bases in Iraq, Iranian media reported.

The first round was fired at 5:30 PM (EST) when more than a dozen of ballistic missiles targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil, in Iraq. Iran's Tasmin News Agency, however, said that over 35 rockets were launched by Iran`s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the early hours of Wednesday.

Soon after the attacks, the second series of rockets were launched at US targets in Iraq, Iranian media reported.

#WATCH: Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles at 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7 and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil, in Iraq. pic.twitter.com/xQkf9lG6AP

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2020

Confirming the development, the US said that it is working on initial battle damage assessments and the bases have been put on high alert to prevent further attacks.

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Jonathan Hoffman, in a statement said, "Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. 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 U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil."

"We are working on initial battle damage assessments. In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense 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 interests in the region," the statement further added.

In wake of the attacks, heightened tensions with Iran, security has been beefed up around the White House, reported CNN, citing a law enforcement official.

"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," tweeted White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.

On January 3, Iran's most senior commander Qasem Soleimani was killed by the US military at Baghdad airport in Iraq. Pentagon officials in the US later confirmed that the strike was carried out on the command of US President Donald Trump.