In another twist in the fallout from the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the top military commander killed in an American strike, missiles have been fired at a United States of America airbase in Iraq.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards did not waste time to claim responsibility.
."We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted," it said via a statement as quoted by the BBC.
The question in the minds of those following the developments in the Middle East is what this escalation attack means.
The attack is a signal to the Americans by the Iranians that they will respond to attacks coming from the US. This onslaught comes just days after Qassem Soleimani was killed in an American airstrike. As such, it could mean the end of reason and the start of the war.
US President Donald Trump had threatened to strike back should the Iranians avenge Soleimani's death.
The Iranians have gone ahead and struck in revenge, inviting the Americans to attack. The attack on the Al Asaad Air Base now opens the door for attacks and counter-attacks.
It signals a hardening of positions on both sides of the conflict. The US will stick to its guns and the Islamic Republic of Iran will do the same. This will continue unless a successful diplomatic initiative brings the warring sides to the negotiating table.
More crucially, the attack will destabilise the Middle East even further, creating the environment for terrorist groups to thrive as such groups thrive during strife. That could very well threaten global security.