Satellite image shows US airbase hit by Iranian missiles in revenge attack

Iran launched missiles at the American Ain al-Assad airbase in retaliation over the US assassination of the Iranian general Qassam Soleimani

The first picture showing the damage caused to a US airbase by an Iran missile strike has been released. The satellite image appears to show five areas of the Ain al-Assad complex, in Iraq, that were hit in the attack. Private satellite company Planet Labs took the image, which was shared by the US-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Aurora Intel said on Twitter that it appeared aircraft hangars were blown up in the strike. According to NPR, David Schmerler, an analyst with the Middlebury Institute, said: “Some of the locations struck look like the missiles hit dead center.” Two US airbases in Iraq were struck by Iranian missiles in the early hours of this morning as the ongoing crisis between the two countries deepens.

A photo shows rockets launched from Iran (Image: fars agency)

Rockets were launched at the al-Asad air base in western Iraq and Erbil in the north of the country.

Iran crisis: Donald Trump declares Iran has ‘stood down’ as he backtracks on war threats The country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has confirmed it was behind the strikes which came after military commander general Soleimani was killed by a Reaper drone last Friday at Baghdad airport. The IRGS has claimed the missile attacks are the “first step” and chillingly warned it will “not spare Americans” in an interview on television in Iran.

The airbase attack was ordered in retaliation to the assassination of Iranian general Qassam Soleimani (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A satellite image shows the damage caused by the Iranian missile strikes (Image: Planet Labs Inc./Middlebury Institute)

US President Donald Trump said an assessment of damage caused by the strikes was continuing and that he would make a statement this morning. “All is well!” Trump said on Twitter. He added: “Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq.

Trump said Iran had backed down in his speech today (Image: Getty Images)

Iran launched the strikes in retaliation for Soleimani’s assassination (Image: Planet Labs Inc./Middlebury Institute

“Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! “We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.” In a televised speech today, Trump said: “Our great American forces are prepared for anything.

Soleimani was the second most powerful man in Iran (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Iranian rockets hit two US airbases in Iraq

“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 because of the precuations taken, the dispersal forces, and an early warning system, that worked very well.” Trump added that there had been ‘minimal damage’ caused to the bases.

Trump said a damage assessment is ongoing (Image: Planet Labs Inc./Middlebury Institute)

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The President described Soleimani as the ‘world’s top terrorist’ and blamed him for strikes on civilian targets and killing thousands of US troops. He also repeated his claim that the Iranian general was behind the recent assault on the US embassy in Baghdad. His assassination prevented him from carrying out further planned attacks, Trump added.