Picture : Twitter / ANI
In his address to the nation US President Donald Trump said that no Americans were harmed in the attack by Iran on US bases in Iraq as he offered to embrace peace with the Iranian leadership, in a significant move to de-escalate spiralling tensions in the Middle East.
His remarks came hours after Iran launched 22 ballistic missiles in a pre-dawn attack on Wednesday targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces are stationed in Iraq, which Tehran said was a “slap in the face” of America.
“We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” Trump said in his 10-minute address to the nation from the White House Grand Foyer.
According to the Iranian state TV, the attacks were in revenge for the killing of commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards General Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike on Friday, which was ordered by Trump.
The Iranian state television claimed that “at least 80 terrorist US soldiers” were killed in the strikes. Some 5,000 US soldiers are in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the IS terror group.
“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” Trump said as he described Gen Soleimani as a “ruthless terrorist.”
“In recent days he was planning new attacks on American targets, but we stopped him,” Trump said.
“By removing Soleimani we have sent a powerful message to terrorists. If you value your own life you will not threaten the lives of our people. Soleimani’s hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood. He should have been eliminated long ago.” he said.
Trump called on Iran to “work together” to eliminate the Islamic State, saying the killing of ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was “good” for Iran.
In a direct message to the Iranian leaders and the people, Trump said the United States was “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it”.
“To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future and a great future, one that you deserve,” the president said.
