US troops clear rubble, debris from Iraq base struck by Iranian missiles

U.S. crews at the Ain al-Asad military base in western Iraq cleared debris from the scene of an Iranian missile strike on Monday, with officials telling reporters that at least 10 missiles struck the airfield.

The Associated Press reported Monday that workers used forklifts and large trucks to move debris as large craters littered the area where Iranian missiles struck the base last week, causing no casualties. The base was one of two struck by Iranian missiles during the attack.

“There were more than 10 large missiles fired and the impact hit several areas along the airfield,” coalition spokesman Col. Myles Caggins told the AP.

The base has been visited by both President Trump and Vice President Pence in the past, and last week’s Iranian attack represents the most significant strike on the base by any force.

Iranian and U.S. officials have backed off from talk of war in recent days following the missile strikes, which came in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s Quds forces and a top general.

Some U.S. officials have expressed optimism that American sanctions on Iran will force Iranian negotiators to the table even as the two countries remain on the brink of war.