In a tweet made early morning Wednesday, Mark Esper said that the United States did not want conflict with the Iranian regime. He added that the US had contacted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa, who he said had offered sound counsel and advice.
https://twitter.com/EsperDoD/status/1214643648475881480?s=20
The tweet came moments after Iran struck back at the United States with its second wave of attack as two bases with US military were attacked with rockets fired reportedly by the IRGC-backed Kataib Hezbollah.
Foreign media has reported that there have been no casualties so far. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated that Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. He added, “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
Meanwhile, Iranian news network Press TV has claimed that at least 80 people were killed by Iranian missiles targeting US military bases in Iraq.