Iran has launched ballistic missiles at two US military bases in Iraq, killing 80 American soldiers in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time, Iranian sources reported.

More than a dozen ballistic missiles struck the al-Asad airbase and another base in Erbil.

The attacks were Iran’s retaliation to the U.S. killing last week of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran has called that attack an act of war and state terrorism and vowed a harsh response.

Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister, tweeted in the early hours of Wednesday morning, saying: "Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression. We did not seek escalation or war."

U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the attack on Twitter.

"All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!" he said and added: "We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning."

Flights have been diverted from Iranian and Iraqi airspace.

On 3 January 2020, amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, the U.S. launched a terrorist attack on a convoy traveling near Baghdad International Airport, killing ten passengers, including Iranian major general and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Quds Forces commander Qasem Soleimani, Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces commander Abu Mahdi al- Muhandis, four senior Iranian officers and four Iraqi officers. (ILKHA)