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Trump threatens Iran with 'big price' to pay over US embassy attack US embassy attack: Trump threatens Iran over violent protest in Iraq
(32 minutes later)
US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran after blaming it for an attack on the US embassy in Iraq.US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran after blaming it for an attack on the US embassy in Iraq.
The compound in Baghdad was attacked by demonstrators furious over the deaths of militia members in US air strikes.The compound in Baghdad was attacked by demonstrators furious over the deaths of militia members in US air strikes.
Mr Trump tweeted that Iran "will pay a very big price" for any damage or loss of life. "This is not a warning, it is a threat," he said.Mr Trump tweeted that Iran "will pay a very big price" for any damage or loss of life. "This is not a warning, it is a threat," he said.
But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded by saying the US "can't do anything". But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded by saying the US "can't do a damn thing".
US actions in Iraq and elsewhere "have made nations hate you", he added. Anti-American sentiment was widespread in Iraq, he added.
Tehran has denied that it orchestrated the attack on the Baghdad embassy.Tehran has denied that it orchestrated the attack on the Baghdad embassy.
Demonstrators regrouped outside the US embassy on Wednesday. TV pictures showed smoke rising from just inside the embassy compound.Demonstrators regrouped outside the US embassy on Wednesday. TV pictures showed smoke rising from just inside the embassy compound.
Ayatollah Khamenei's English-language Twitter account posted a translation of his remarks.
What happened on Tuesday?What happened on Tuesday?
The angry crowd set an empty guard post in the street on fire and breached a reception area in the embassy compound, leading US troops to fire teargas to repel them.The angry crowd set an empty guard post in the street on fire and breached a reception area in the embassy compound, leading US troops to fire teargas to repel them.
US marines were sent to the Baghdad embassy to boost security. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper later announced that about 750 soldiers would be deployed to the region. There are about 5,000 US troops already stationed in Iraq.US marines were sent to the Baghdad embassy to boost security. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper later announced that about 750 soldiers would be deployed to the region. There are about 5,000 US troops already stationed in Iraq.
"The United States will protect our people and interests anywhere they are found around the world," he wrote in a tweet."The United States will protect our people and interests anywhere they are found around the world," he wrote in a tweet.
There were no plans to evacuate the embassy, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News. Ambassador Matthew Tueller was outside Iraq for a previously scheduled holiday and was reportedly returning to the embassy.There were no plans to evacuate the embassy, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News. Ambassador Matthew Tueller was outside Iraq for a previously scheduled holiday and was reportedly returning to the embassy.
Iraqi soldiers and riot police were reportedly later deployed in the area, and the protest died down as night fell. Fifty people were treated for tear-gas inhalation at hospitals in Baghdad, a health ministry source told the BBC.Iraqi soldiers and riot police were reportedly later deployed in the area, and the protest died down as night fell. Fifty people were treated for tear-gas inhalation at hospitals in Baghdad, a health ministry source told the BBC.
Mr Trump said he expected Iraqi forces to protect the embassy and its staff, and thanked Mr Abdul Mahdi for action taken during the attack.Mr Trump said he expected Iraqi forces to protect the embassy and its staff, and thanked Mr Abdul Mahdi for action taken during the attack.
Why was the embassy attacked?Why was the embassy attacked?
Tuesday's protest took place after funerals were held for the militia fighters killed in the US strikes.Tuesday's protest took place after funerals were held for the militia fighters killed in the US strikes.
The militia was an Iranian-backed force, the Kataib Hezbollah militia in western Iraq and eastern Syria.The militia was an Iranian-backed force, the Kataib Hezbollah militia in western Iraq and eastern Syria.
At least 25 fighters died in the US bombing of their bases on Sunday, which Washington said was a retaliation for the death of an American civilian worker killed during a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base.At least 25 fighters died in the US bombing of their bases on Sunday, which Washington said was a retaliation for the death of an American civilian worker killed during a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said the strikes had violated his country's sovereignty. The leader of the Kataib Hezbollah militia, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, warned that its response "would be very tough on the American forces in Iraq".Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said the strikes had violated his country's sovereignty. The leader of the Kataib Hezbollah militia, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, warned that its response "would be very tough on the American forces in Iraq".
On Wednesday Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "strongly condemned" the US attack on Kataib Hezbollah.On Wednesday Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "strongly condemned" the US attack on Kataib Hezbollah.
Why did the US target Kataib Hezbollah?Why did the US target Kataib Hezbollah?
The US said the militia had carried out repeated attacks on Iraqi bases that host US-led coalition forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) group.The US said the militia had carried out repeated attacks on Iraqi bases that host US-led coalition forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) group.
In response, it added, US forces conducted "precision defensive strikes" on Sunday against five facilities, including weapon stores and command and control locations, that would degrade its ability to conduct future attacks.In response, it added, US forces conducted "precision defensive strikes" on Sunday against five facilities, including weapon stores and command and control locations, that would degrade its ability to conduct future attacks.
Since 2009, the US has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation and listed its leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as a "global terrorist".Since 2009, the US has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation and listed its leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as a "global terrorist".
The US defence department said the militia had a "strong linkage" with Iran's Quds Force, the overseas operations arm of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), and had "repeatedly received lethal aid and other support from Iran".The US defence department said the militia had a "strong linkage" with Iran's Quds Force, the overseas operations arm of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), and had "repeatedly received lethal aid and other support from Iran".
The Pentagon denied reports earlier last month that the US was considering sending 14,000 more troops to the Middle East to counter Iran.The Pentagon denied reports earlier last month that the US was considering sending 14,000 more troops to the Middle East to counter Iran.