p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Tahoma; color: #20201e; -webkit-text-stroke: #20201e} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Tahoma; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font-kerning: none; color: #14171a; background-color: #f5f8fa; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #14171a} Iran launched an attack against Iraqi bases housing American troops with over a dozen ballistic missiles tonight, the Pentagon said, in a significant escalation of long-simmering tensions after a US drone strike killed an Iranian military leader last week.

“It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Asad and Irbil [Erbil],” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. “As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”

The bases had already been on high alert due to indications of a planned Iranian attack, Hoffman said, but the Pentagon did not immediately have assessments of damage or casualties from the attack, which was launched from inside Iran.   

A US defense official told Al-Monitor that Al-Asad, which houses a significant contingent of counter-Islamic State coalition troops was hit with at least six rockets during an ongoing attack. CNN later reported that 10 projectiles had hit the base.