KATHMANDU: The world’s attention has been drawn towards the Gulf countries after the tension flared between America and Iran.
Iran has fired a dozen ballistic missiles at two US airbases housing US troops in Iraq in retaliation after the country’s top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike.
According to a US military official, the Iranian missiles struck areas of the al-Asad base not populated by Americans.
“The US is awaiting daylight to get a full assessment of the results of the strike,” CNN quoted officials as saying.
International media reports said that there were casualties among the Iraqis at the base.
Following the missile attack at two Iraqi bases that house US troops, President Trump tweeted that he is making a statement later today.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression following an attack on two Iraqi bases where US troops are located”.
Meanwhile, oil prices climbed sharply after the Pentagon said Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against bases in Iraq that house US troops.
US crude jumped more than 4% to over $65 a barrel Tuesday evening after Iran launched more than a dozen missiles targeting at least two bases hosting American military personnel.
Similarly, international share prices have also dropped following the US-Iran tension.
Singapore Airlines has diverted all its flights from the Iranian airspace.
Iran has threatened to attack the US allies including Dubai, Kuwait in the Gulf Countries if the US responded to its missile attacks.
Meanwhile, talking to Fox News, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has dubbed Iran’s attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops as “an act of war”.
Likewise, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ordered the country’s military chief to do all it can to protect its diplomats in Iraq.
Iran had attacked two US airbases located in Irbil and Al-Asad few minutes after the funeral rites for Iranian top commander Qasem Soleimani were performed.
Currently, there are 5,000 American troops in Iraq.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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