Iran: US ready for 'serious negotiations' after bases attacked by missiles

The US says it is ready to take part in "serious negotiations" with Iran, after the country fired missiles on American troops at two military bases in the country of Iraq.

Iran said the attack was an act of revenge following the death of one of Iran's most powerful military commanders, General Qasem Soleimani. He was killed on Friday 3 January by an airstrike which was ordered by the US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump, in a televised statement from the White House, said no US or Iraqi lives were lost in the attacks and said Iran appears to be "standing down".

In a letter to the UN, the US says it is ready to engage "in serious negotiations" with Iran to prevent international peace being broken.

Iran's foreign minister has said "we do not seek escalation or war".

Why did the attack take place in Iraq?

Thousands of US troops are based in Iraq, which is next to Iran.

More than a dozen ballistic missiles were fired at the military bases in Al Asad and Irbil.

The attacks came just hours after General Qasem Soleimani was buried.

This now puts Iraq in a difficult position as it considers itself an ally of both Iran and the US.

Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called the missile strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani a "blatant attack on the nation's dignity".

Many Iranians turned out for the funeral of General Qasem Soleimani

What's the UK's reaction been like?

Following the crisis, the UK's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab described Iran's attack as "reckless and dangerous" and urged the country not to repeat it.

The UK government put the Royal Navy and military helicopters on standby in the region.

Future talks?

In a letter to the UN, the US says it is ready to engage "in serious negotiations" with Iran.

It went on to say the US would take additional action "as necessary" in the Middle East to protect its personnel and interests.

Iran's UN Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi said the US offer of talks was "unbelievable" while the US continued to punish Iran with 'economic sanctions' which stops some US companies trading with the country.