On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, in a highly anticipated speech, President Donald Trump announced that the United States is ready to embrace peace after a series of escalating tensions with Iran, saying, “The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, is the best way to prevent a war.” The president’s statement came after Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops, in what was described as a retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3.
At the time of the attack, there were 3,000 to 4,000 U.S. troops and personnel at Al Asad Airbase in western Iraq and 1,000 to 2,000 at the Erdil base in northern Iraq, with no American or Iraqi lives lost during the attack. “There was a force behind it all,” observed one U.S. military official, who wished to remain anonymous, reflecting on the unexpected restraint shown by both countries in avoiding a full-blown conflict.
The missile attacks were reportedly designed to avoid causing casualties, with Iranian officials warning the Iraqi government about the impending strike, according to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s office. The U.S. military, too, took precautions, with some personnel at the affected bases taking shelter in bunkers during the assault, according to officials.
We are warning all American citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the recent events – said Andrea Kalan, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.
President Trump also emphasized that the U.S. is ready to pursue additional sanctions against Iran, further escalating economic pressure against the government in Tehran. According to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the global price of oil rose to $70 per barrel immediately after the strike, though it has since dropped to around $65. Some analysts speculate that this is due to concerns about potential disruptions in the global oil supply. Iran had earlier announced it would no longer comply with uranium enrichment limits set by the 2015 nuclear accord, further heightening tensions with the international community.
This situation matters outside of the immediate location because of its potential impact on global oil prices and the Middle East’s already volatile security environment, where U.S. interests are involved. The United Nations has urged both the United States and Iran to exercise restraint, and officials are closely monitoring developments, with diplomats calling for calm. As one observer noted, “The world watches with bated breath, as any miscalculation could lead to uncontrollable consequences.” In the coming days, U.S. lawmakers are expected to hold hearings to examine the Trump administration’s actions, and citizens can expect more information to be released as the situation unfolds, but for now, the future remains uncertain.