What Happened Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles against multiple U.S. targets in Iraq, including military facilities in Arbil in northern Iraq and the Ayn al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq, ABC News reported Jan. 7. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed credit for launching the missiles in Iranian state media, and said that any retaliation from the United States would be met with a "bigger and more comprehensive response." There are no immediate reports of casualties. Why It Matters Ballistic missile attacks from inside Iran against multiple U.S. facilities mark a significant escalation by Iran against U.S. forces in the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump has explicitly warned that any Iranian attack on American forces would result in severe retaliation, and if this concerted Iranian attack results in U.S. casualties, then that will only further increase the likelihood of a significant U.S. counterstrike.