Iran has defended its decision to launch missiles at two US army bases in Iraq, stating that they will defend themselves against any aggression. On Tuesday January 7, Iran fired a barrage of missiles at the US bases in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Forces. Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, characterized the missile attacks as ‘self-defense’ and emphasized that they do not desire escalation or war, but will protect themselves against any aggression.