LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Tensions with Iran are escalating.
New video shows the moments the country fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq. The attacks were located at the Al-Asad Airbase and Irbil Airbase, where United States troops are stationed.
Iranian leaders previously vowed a military response after the U.S. launched an attack that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani last week.
President Donald Trump says he plans to make a statement on Wednesday and sent a tweet Tuesday evening saying:
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now," Trump said. "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.
At this point there are no reports of any American causalities.
13 Action News spoke to Las Vegas valley Marine Tony Nohmy, who has served three tours of duty in the Middle East, to provide some context into what the bases are like.
Nohmy is a Marine who is currently serving in the reserves after 12 years in. In 2009 he was stationed at the Al-Asad base in Iraq before returning home to the U.S. following his first tour of duty.
"Al Assad was our last point of contact in Iraq before going stateside," he said, describing it as a place to "refit" and "refuel" before you go back into more dangerous areas or you go home to the U.S.
"The base itself is so secure that I do remember certain personnel of other services didn't even have their weapons on them. And when you're in Iraq and you're in a combat zone, you never have your weapon more than an arm's length away," said Nohmy.
"Something like this sounds like a deliberate attack on U.S. personnel and that needs to be taken very seriously," he added.
