Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Tuesday defended Tehran's missile attacks on Iraq's Ain Assad air base housing U.S. troops and said Iran does not want war or to escalate tensions with the United States.
He tweeted:
"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."
Iran launched 15 ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases Tuesday. There are no reports of casualties, but an assessment is still underway.
Iranian State TV described the attacks as Tehran's revenge operation over the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.
"We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted," the IRGC said.
It also threatened Israel.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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