Trump retreats further conflict, announces additional 'punishing sanctions' on Iran
Trump announced the United States would be imposing "additional punishing sanctions" on Iran.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Donald Trump said Wednesday Iran appeared to be "standing down" after missile strikes on US troop bases in Iraq that resulted in no American or Iraqi deaths.
"No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything," he said in an address to the nation from the White House.
"Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. No American or Iraqi lives were lost."
As he spoke, the U.S. president was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and military officers.
Trump said the United States would immediately be imposing "additional punishing sanctions" on Iran but made no mention of military retaliation to the missile attacks -- seen by experts as a measured first response by Iran to the killing of General Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike in Baghdad.
Launched for the first time by forces inside Iran instead of a proxy, the missile attack marked a new turn in the intensifying confrontation between Washington and Tehran and sent world oil prices soaring.
Trump touted economic achievements that he said had made the US less dependent on Middle Eastern oil, changing Washington’s "strategic priorities" in the region.
"Today I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process," he said.
He also called for world powers to follow his lead in withdrawing last May from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
The agreement is already unraveling, with Tehran announcing on Sunday that it would roll back the limit on the number of centrifuges used in uranium enrichment, one of its commitments under the agreement.
"The time has come for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China to recognize this reality. They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal, or JCPOA," Trump said.
"We must all work together towards making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place."
He addressed Iranians directly, saying the US wanted them to enjoy the "great future" of prosperity and harmony with other nations that they deserve.
"The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it," he said.
World leaders have condemned the Iranian missile strikes, which targeted the sprawling Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, both housing American and other foreign troops deployed as part of a US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the state group.
Iran’s supreme leader called the attacks a "slap in the face" for the United States but said revenge was yet to come for the killing of Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations arm.
Iran claims of killing 80 US terrorists
Iran fired a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and other foreign troops, the Islamic republic‘s first act in its promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.
Iranian state television claimed that at least 80 "American terrorists" were killed in attacks involving 15 missiles Tehran launched on US targets in Iraq, adding that none of the missiles were intercepted. The claim could not be independently verified and the state television did not provide evidence of how it obtained that information.
Citing a senior Revolutionary Guards Corps source, the state television also said Iran had 100 other targets in the region in its sights if Washington took any retaliatory measures.
It also said US helicopters and military equipment were "severely damaged".
"Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq," the Pentagon said.
"It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel."
The missiles targeted the sprawling Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, both housing American and other foreign troops deployed as part of a US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group.
Condemnations
The strikes sparked worldwide condemnation and calls for de-escalation, including from NATO, Germany, France and the UK.
France said its forces deployed in Iraq sustained no casualties while the UK was concerned about "reports" of victims as British troops are stationed there.
The Norwegian military said coalition troops were warned of the attack in advance through intelligence channels.
Claiming the attack, Iran s Revolutionary Guards Corps said it hit Ain al-Asad with dozens of missiles in response to Friday s US drone strike in Baghdad that killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.
It warned any US counter-attack would be met with an even "more crushing response" and threatened to strike Israel and America s "allied governments".
