[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated on the 8th (local time) that "Iran does not want an escalation."
Minister Zarif said on Twitter that day, "Iran has taken appropriate self-defensive measures in response to the cowardly attacks against Iranian citizens and senior officials, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter."
He added, "Iran does not want an escalation, but it will defend itself against any attack."
On the same day, Iran fired dozens of missiles at two US military bases stationed in Iraq. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) named this operation "Martyr Soleimani," clearly indicating it was retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC Quds Force, by US forces.
An IRGC official appeared on Iranian state TV and stated, "The fierce retaliation of the Revolutionary Guards has begun."
The US Department of Defense said, "We will take all necessary measures." However, it did not disclose specific response strategies. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had planned a national address regarding Iran's attack but has postponed the speech schedule for the time being.
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