World reacts to Iran's retaliation move against US killing of Qassem Soleimani

Iran launched more than a dozen missiles on two US military bases in Iraq housing US troops in retaliation for the American airstrike that killed a top Iranian Major General last week.

In response to the attack, US politicians have responded where members of the US Congress said that they were praying for US military forces overseas and that they were monitoring developments following news that Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at US forces in Iraq.

Nancy Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, tweeted that the United States and the world "cannot afford war."

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News that Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops was "an act of war".

"The president has all the authority he needs under Article II to respond," the Trump loyalist said to host Sean Hannity, referring to Article II of the US Constitution which delineates presidential power.

Elizabeth Warren

Senator Elizabeth Warren addressed the news of the missiles attack during a campaign rally yesterday night, telling supporters that the developments were an example of why Americans do not want a conflict with Iran.

"We have to start on a very sober note," Warren said at the event in Brooklyn. "For any of you who haven't been able to follow it, within the last hour, the Iranian government has announced that it has sent missiles to attack our military bases in Iraq."

"This is a reminder of why we need to de-escalate tension in the Middle East. The American people do not want a war with Iran," she continued. 

Joe Biden

"What's happening in Iraq and Iran today was predictable," the former vice president, 77, said at a campaign fundraiser in the Philadelphia suburb of Gladwyne on Tuesday evening, according to a pool report. "Not exactly what's happening, but the chaos that's ensuing."

Biden criticized President Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and expressed worry about the effects resulting from the president's ordered strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

"Some of the things he's done and said in the meantime have been close to ludicrous," Biden said, mentioning Trump's threat to target culturally significant sites. "I just pray to god as he goes through what's happening, as we speak, that he's listening to his military commanders for the first time, because, so far, that has not been the case."

Mark Esper

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CNN Tuesday that the US is not seeking a war with Iran but it is "prepared to finish one." He also said the US is not withdrawing troops from Iraq following a weekend vote by Iraq's parliament to expel American forces.

"We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one," Esper said during an interview with CNN.

When asked if he regretted presenting President Donald Trump with the extreme option of killing Soleimani, Esper stood by the decision.

"It was time to take the terrorist leader of a terrorist organization off the battlefield," he said.

Kellyanne Conway

Trump's senior counselor Kellyanne Conway was evasive on January 6 when asked about the president's threat, arguing that she could not address "hypotheticals" and suggesting the president could have been referring to sites that were both cultural and military.

"Secretary Pompeo said yesterday that we will be within the law," Conway told CBS News.

"I think that Iran has many military, strategic military sites that you may cite, are also cultural sites."

She, however, did not elaborate on what the 52 sites were that the administration has identified as possible targets.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif defended Iran's attack on Tuesday night, writing on Twitter that the country "took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense." He added that "we do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression."