Turkish FM to head to Iraq amid increased Iran, US tensions

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is set to visit Iraq on Jan. 9, a day after Iran launched missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq, retaliating for the U.S. drone strike on an Iranian commander. "Within the context of our intensified diplomatic efforts to alleviate the escalated tension in the aftermath of recent developments in the region, Çavuşoğlu will pay a visit to Iraq," a statement released from the Foreign Ministry read.

Duvar English/Reuters

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is set to head to Iraq on Jan. 9 amid recently increased tensions between the United States and Iran.

"Within the context of our intensified diplomatic efforts to alleviate the escalated tension in the aftermath of recent developments in the region, Çavuşoğlu will pay a visit to Iraq," a statement released from the Foreign Ministry read.

"Recent developments in the region as well as bilateral issues are expected to be discussed during the visit," it added.

Çavuşoğlu also held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.

News of Soleimani's death shocked us, Erdoğan saysNews of Soleimani's death shocked us, Erdoğan says

The minister's visit is part of the attempts to reduce tensions between the two countries, which reached a critical level after Iran launched missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq early on Jan. 8, retaliating for the U.S. drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing last week stoked fears of a new Middle East war.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the missile attack was a "slap on the face" of the United States and that U.S. troops should leave the region. He was addressing a gathering of Iranians who chanted "Death to America."

'80 American terrorists killed'

Iranian state television said Iran had fired 15 missiles at U.S. targets. The U.S. military said at least two Iraqi facilities hosting U.S.-led coalition personnel were targeted at about 1:30 a.m. Iraq time. Iraq said 22 missiles were fired.

Iranian officials said Tehran did not want a war and its strikes "concluded" its response to the killing of Qassem Soleimani, a powerful general whose burial after days of mourning was completed around the time of the missile launches. Iranian television showed mourners celebrating the attack.

U.S. President Donald Trump said an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way.

"All is well!," Trump said Twitter. He visited one of the targeted sites in Iraq, Ain al-Asad air base, in December 2018, said on Twitter.

Rouhani urges Erdoğan to unite against US after Soleimani assassinationRouhani urges Erdoğan to unite against US after Soleimani assassination

One source said early indications were of no U.S. casualties, while other U.S. officials declined to comment.

Iranian state television said 80 "American terrorists" had been killed and U.S. helicopters and military equipment damaged. It did not provide evidence of how it obtained that information.

Germany, Denmark, Norway and Poland said none of their troops in Iraq were hurt. Britain, which also has personnel in Iraq, condemned the Iranian action. Iraq said its forces did not suffer casualties.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the bases targeted were al-Asad air base and another facility in Erbil, Iraq.

"As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region," Hoffman said.

More than 5,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq along with other foreign forces in coalition that has trained and backed Iraqi forces against the threat of ISIS militants.

Turkey says killing of Soleimani to fuel instabilityTurkey says killing of Soleimani to fuel instability

Iran, which has long said U.S. forces should leave the Middle East, told Washington after the attacks to withdraw its troops to prevent more deaths and warned U.S. allies including Israel not to allow attacks from their territories.

Soleimani, a pivotal figure in orchestrating Iran's campaign to drive U.S. forces out of Iraq, was responsible for building up Iran's network of proxy armies across the Middle East.

'Proportionate measures'

Iranian television reported an official in the supreme leader's office as saying the missile attacks were the "weakest" of several retaliation scenarios. It quoted another source saying Iran had lined up 100 other potential targets.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was expected to speak later on Jan. 8, state television reported.

Hours before the Iranian strikes, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States should anticipate a response from Iran for the killing of Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, a unit of the Revolutionary Guards.

"I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form," he told a briefing at the Pentagon.

Iranians flood social media with photos of cultural sites in response to TrumpIranians flood social media with photos of cultural sites in response to Trump

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said Iran "took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter."

"We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression," he wrote in a post on Twitter.

Barzani, Pompeo discuss developments

Iraq's Kurdistan region's prime minister, Masrour Barzani, said in a post on Twitter on Jan. 8 that he had a call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo where they discussed the current developments in Iraq.

Barzani also said that he suggested ways of de-escalation and containing the situation.