A passenger plane has reportedly crashed in Iran during the early morning hours on Wednesday and multiple earthquakes have been detected around the country, including an earthquake near an Iranian nuclear power plant.
The Ukrainian Boeing 737 was carrying 180 passengers and crew and had just taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport, the Associated Press reported. The crash is suspected to have been caused by “mechanical issues.”
BBC reporter Ali Hashem tweeted out a video that he claimed showed the airliner crashing:
#Breaking First footage of the Ukrainian airplane while on fire falling near #Tehran pic.twitter.com/kGxnBb7f1q
— Ali Hashem علي هاشم (@alihashem_tv) January 8, 2020
Hashem added, “Pictures of what’s left of the Ukrainian plane’s wreckage, nothing much, according to Iranian media it’s very unlikely that anyone survived.”
Pictures of what’s left of the Ukrainian plane’s wreckage, nothing much, according to Iranian media it’s very unlikely that anyone survived pic.twitter.com/4p81eRfJRW
— Ali Hashem علي هاشم (@alihashem_tv) January 8, 2020
Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall reported: BREAKING: 2 Strong ‘Earthquakes’ Have Struck Iran In The Past 2 Hours; The First a Preliminary Magnitude 5.5 & The Second a 4.9 – USGS”
BREAKING: 2 Strong 'Earthquakes' Have Struck Iran In The Past 2 Hours; The First a Preliminary Magnitude 5.5 & The Second a 4.9 – USGS @FoxNews
— Benjamin Hall (@BenjaminHallFNC) January 8, 2020
Fox News anchor Heather Childers tweeted: “As if tonight’s Iranian missile strikes in Iraq weren’t enough- Ukraine plane crashes taking off from Tehran Airport- AND reports coming in that a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near #Iran’s #Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.”
As if tonight’s Iranian missile strikes in Iraq weren’t enough- Ukraine plane crashes taking off from Tehran Airport- AND reports coming in that a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near #Iran's #Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. https://t.co/qunEQBCM8c
— Heather Childers (@HeatherChilders) January 8, 2020
The Strategic Sentinel tweeted: “A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near #Iran’s #Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. The depth and epicenter indicate it was a natural event and unrelated to this evenings events. A similar earthquake struck in late December. USGS report enclosed.”
A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near #Iran's #Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. The depth and epicenter indicate it was a natural event and unrelated to this evenings events. A similar earthquake struck in late December. USGS report enclosed. https://t.co/WcfNffwSOm
— Strategic Sentinel (@StratSentinel) January 8, 2020
These latest news developments out of Iran come after it fired missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq late on Tuesday in response to the U.S. last week killing Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, which is a designated terrorist organization.
President Donald Trump responded by writing on Twitter, “All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.”
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman issued the following statement Tuesday on the attacks:
At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil.
We are working on initial battle damage assessments.
In recent days and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard our personnel and partners. These bases have been on high alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack our forces and interests in the region.
As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies in the region.
Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
CNN’s Jake Tapper reported: “US military official & sr admin official tell @rabrowne75 and @PamelaBrownCNN that the *initial* assessment is that the Iranian missiles struck areas of the al-Asad base not populated by Americans though US is awaiting daylight to get a full assessment. Iraqi casualties reported.”
US military official & sr admin official tell @rabrowne75 and @PamelaBrownCNN that the *initial* assessment is that the Iranian missiles struck areas of the al-Asad base not populated by Americans though US is awaiting daylight to get a full assessment. Iraqi casualties reported.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 8, 2020
Fox News reporter Lucas Tomlinson reported: “No U.S. casualties in Iraq after missile strike from Iran, but assessment still ongoing: officials”
No U.S. casualties in Iraq after missile strike from Iran, but assessment still ongoing: officials
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) January 8, 2020
This is a breaking news story, refresh the page for updates.