Iran launches missile attack on US bases in Iraq, markets trim losses

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted early morning 2 US bases in Ain Al-Asad and Erbil with missile attacks, the Iranian State TV broadcasted.

“All is well, and so good so far,” US President Donald Trump said in a tweet following the Iranian attacks, adding that the US will be assessing the damage and issue a statement accordingly.

Elsewhere, Iranian Foreign Minister Javid Zarif said on Twitter that Iran does not seek an escalation of war.

Meanwhile, the Asian markets pared their losses. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 shed 1.20% to close at 23,297 points, reducing its losses from over 2%.

The Shanghai composite edged down 0.6% to 3,087 pts.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 400 pts after the attack, but were able to pull out of their dive, cutting losses to 119 pts to end at 28,583.

US crude futures eased early gains of 4% to 1.25%, closing at $63.49 per barrel. Global benchmark Brent added 1.35% to $69.19 per barrel.

Gold futures jumped over $18, or 1.20% to 1592.9 per ounce.