The flying time from Iran to Irbil is between 3-5 minutes - 4 missiles failed - they did not reach their target, crashing short perhaps due to motor failure, according to this US military official. Some of these missiles are using decades old ballistic missile technology.
The Pentagon does not believe cruise missiles were used. These were NOT the most state of the art Iranian missiles, according to a senior US military source. The flying time from Iran to Asad air base in Anbar is about 15 mins, I am told.
The US has Patriot missile batteries guarding strategic assets in Baghdad and guarding bases in the region: Kuwait, Qatar etc. NOT guarding Al Asad or Erbil bases. Most of Iran’s ballistic missiles are pointed at American bases in the Gulf - Qatar, UAE, Kuwait.
The US had repositioned its forces after the Soleimani killing from small outposts to the larger protected bases. The 82nd airborne which flew in from Ft Bragg remained in Kuwait because they were protected by a “Patriot missile defense shield umbrella,” I am told.
Also, in terms of the killing of Soleimani, this active duty military source who serves in the Pentagon said there was complete unity at the senior ranks of the defense department about killing Soleimani. “No one said it was a bad idea,” this source told me.
US military source: There was recognition that Iran would respond. There were preps made all the way up until the President’s speech this morning. The US military knew what was coming - “just did not know exact magnitude.” There was chatter that was intercepted ahead of time.
Pentagon believes there was a political decision taken in Tehran NOT to kill Americans - that is why target at Al Asad chosen - large base with a lot of empty space. Even within that target, the Iranians chose to hit dirt rather than runways etc so as not to escalate militarily.
US military source: The Iranian response was for domestic political consumption and designed to cause minimal damage, that according to the Pentagon’s latest assessment.
