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Business News/ News / World/  Iran attacks US base: Saudi Aramco hits new low; airlines to avoid Iraq airspace
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Iran attacks US base: Saudi Aramco hits new low; airlines to avoid Iraq airspace

Singapore Airlines Ltd said after the attacks that all of its flights would be diverted from Iranian airspace
  • Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq until further notification, said MEA
  • Donald Trump he would make a statement on the situation on Wednesday (REUTERS)Premium
    Donald Trump he would make a statement on the situation on Wednesday (REUTERS)

    Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq where American troops are based, said Pentagon. In a statement, the US military said Iran launched the attack at about 1:30 am local time. "It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in statement.

    Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the US killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying.

    There were no immediate reports of casualties, stated Pentagon. 'All is well!' President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks, adding, 'So far, so good' regarding casualties. The effect of the restrictions wasn’t immediately clear because the FAA had been prohibiting American carriers from flying over most of those areas.

    Here are the latest updates

    No Polish troops in Iraq hurt in Iranian missile attacks

    No Polish troops stationed in Iraq were hurt in Iranian missile attacks on US bases in Iraq, Poland's Defence Minister said

    — Iraq says 17 missiles hit Ayn al-Asad base

    A Facebook account belonging to the Iraqi prime minister’s office says 22 missiles entered Iraqi airspace early Wednesday, hitting “coalition locations." It says there were no casualties among the Iraqi forces. Earlier, US officials said Iran fired 15 missiles in total.

    — Saudi Aramco hits new low

    Shares of Saudi Aramco opened at 34 riyals ($9.06) on Wednesday, their lowest level since the oil giant began trading on December 11, after Iran launched missiles on US targets in Iraq.

    Saudi stocks also dropped 1.4%, following across-the-board selling in Gulf markets amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

    — Airlines re-route flights away from Iraq, Iran airspace

    Singapore Airlines Ltd said after the attacks that all of its flights would be diverted from Iranian airspace. Malaysia Airlines said it did not fly over Iraqi airspace and would re-route to avoid Iran as a result of the attack. Taiwan's China Airlines said it would not fly over Iran or Iraq because of the regional tensions.

    Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd said it was adjusting flight paths to avoid airspace over Iraq and Iran until further notice, adding up to 50 minutes to Perth-London flights and requiring it to reduce passenger numbers to carry the necessary fuel.

    Dubai-based Emirates Airline cancelled a return flight to Baghdad on Wednesday after Iran's missile attack and said it would make further operational changes if required.

    Korean Air Lines Co Ltd and Thai Airways said they had been avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace before the attack on U.S. troops.

    — Indian carriers asked avoid airspace of Iran, Iraq and the Gulf: Reports

    India tells all Indian carriers to avoid airspace of Iran, Iraq and the Gulf following tension in the region, quoted ANI.

    — Avoid non-essential travel to Iraq: MEA

    In view of the prevailing situation in Iraq, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iraq until further notification. Indian nationals residing in Iraq are advised to be alert and may avoid travel within Iraq, said Ministry of External Affairs.

    Trump says that a statement is coming

    President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that an assessment of the casualties and damage from Iranian missile strikes on two Iraqi military facilities was underway and he would make a statement on the situation on Wednesday morning.


    US regulator bans airlines from flying over Iraq, Iran

    The US Federal Aviation Administration said it would ban U.S. carriers from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Gulf of Oman and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia after Iran launched a missile attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

    The FAA said it issued the airspace ban "due to heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East, which present an inadvertent risk to US civil aviation operations."

    Several non-US airlines had flights over parts of Iraq and Iran at the time, according to FlightRadar24 data. They are not directly affected by the FAA ban, but foreign carriers and their national regulators typically consider US advice carefully when deciding where to fly.

    — Iran is defending itself from US aggression, says Iranian Minister

    Iran is not seeking escalation or war, Iranian Foreign Minister tweeted after Tehran hit US targets in Iraq on Wednesday, adding that Tehran would defend itself against any aggression.

    "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," Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted.

    Oil prices hike

    Oil jumped back above $70 a barrel after Iran attacked two US-Iraqi airbases in its first response to the killing of a top general, sparking fears the deepening conflict will disrupt global crude supplies.

    Futures in London surged more than 5% to the highest since May as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the missile strikes. Prices later pared more than half their advance after Iran’s foreign minister said it had “concluded proportionate measures in self-defense" and is not seeking war.

    — Stampede at Soleimani's funeral; 56 killed

    Wednesday's revenge attack happened a mere few hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani at his funeral.

    A stampede broke out Tuesday at Soleimani's funeral, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession, Iranian news reports said. Shortly after Iran's revenge missile launches early Wednesday, Soleimani's shroud-wrapped remains were lowered into the ground as mourners wailed at the grave site.

    Iranian official tweets: "Get the hell out of our region!"

    Iran's minister of telecommunications Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi took to Twitter following the missile attack on US targets in Iraq.

    "Get the hell out of our region!" he tweeted.




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    Published: 08 Jan 2020, 10:01 AM IST
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