Following the airstrike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, Iran launched over a dozen missiles towards U.S military bases in Iraq Tuesday night. 

President Donald Trump made a statement about the current situation on Wednesday, January 9, 2020. The president made it clear that killing General Soleimani was seen as a dire necessity. 

“Solemani’s hands were both drenched in Iranian and American blood… as long as I am president Iran is not allowed a nuclear weapon,” Trump started his speech.

On January 6th, a total of 15 missiles were shot, ten missiles hit the Ain al-Asad Air Base, one missile hit a military base in Erbil, and four missiles failed to hit their targets. The attacks unfolded in two waves about an hour apart. Although there were no U.S. casualties reported, Iranian media says otherwise.

“80 US military personnel have been killed” and more than “200 US military personnel were injured” the country’s media reported. 

While addressing a group of Iranians chanting “Death to America”, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated the attacks were a “slap on the face” and warned that the U.S. troops should leave the region immediately. 

“All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. 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!” President Donald J Trump tweeted.

Leaders in Iran have remained consistent with their ideas towards America after the assassination. “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted.

In a Senate briefing on the Soleimani assassination Wednesday afternoon, the Trump administration discussed their motives behind killing the Iranian General and the actions that took place afterward.

The reactions towards the briefing were controversial among the two parties. Marco Rubio (R- Florida) defended the briefing. “Any Senator who left the briefing on Iran and claims Soleimani wasn’t planning a near-term attack on Americans is calling Joint Chiefs Gen. Miley a liar,” tweeted Rubio. 

However, some members of the Republican party disagree with the significance of the meeting. “This was the worst briefing I’ve had on a military issue,” said  Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah). “The briefing was ‘an insult to the Constitution.’” stated Rand Paul (R-Kentucky)

At WHHS, student opinions are split concerning Trump’s speech as some students agree with his bold statements and others have strong contradictory beliefs.

“ Even Trump de-escalated the situation, and I believe that we should go to war. Everything else concerning the rest of the speech, I agreed with Trump” Says senior Dylan Scher.