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| Live updates: Trump says Iranian military leader was killed by drone strike ‘to stop a war,’ warns Iran not to retaliate | Live updates: Trump says Iranian military leader was killed by drone strike ‘to stop a war,’ warns Iran not to retaliate |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President Trump told reporters Friday that the United States had killed Qasem Soleimani, one of Iran’s top military figures, in a bid to “stop a war.” The president, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, urged Iran not to retaliate. | |
| “We did not take action to start a war,” he said. | |
| The targeted killing of Soleimani, a powerful figure among forces aligned with Iran throughout the Middle East, dramatically increased tensions in the region and caused U.S. outposts and personnel to brace for retaliatory attacks. The attack also upset global markets and sent oil prices shooting upward. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warned Americans in Iraq to leave “immediately.” | |
| The Pentagon said that it will deploy 3,500 additional troops to the Middle East after Iran vowed to exact “severe revenge” on the United States for the drone strike that killed Soleimani early Friday near the Baghdad airport. | |
| Iraqi militias allied with Iran had been harassing U.S. forces in Iraq in recent weeks, including an attack on a base that killed a U.S. contractor. The United States has said that Soleimani was killed as he was planning new attacks and that Trump ordered the attack. | |
| Here are key points of what we know: | Here are key points of what we know: |
| • Soleimani was a towering figure who was key in training Iran’s proxies around the region, especially in Iraq. | • Soleimani was a towering figure who was key in training Iran’s proxies around the region, especially in Iraq. |
| • There has been mixed reaction across the Middle East, with some praising Soleimani but others blaming him for instability in the region. | • There has been mixed reaction across the Middle East, with some praising Soleimani but others blaming him for instability in the region. |
| • Reaction in the United States has also been mixed, mostly along party lines between Republicans and Democrats. | • Reaction in the United States has also been mixed, mostly along party lines between Republicans and Democrats. |
| • The Pentagon’s top general defended the decision to kill Soleimani on Friday afternoon, saying Soleimani was planning a “campaign of violence” against Americans. | • The Pentagon’s top general defended the decision to kill Soleimani on Friday afternoon, saying Soleimani was planning a “campaign of violence” against Americans. |
| WASHINGTON — House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith said in an interview Friday that he hopes to have top Trump administration and military officials testify about Iran before his panel as soon as next week. | |
| Smith (D-Wash.) said he had been unable to arrange a secure briefing from Pentagon officials since Thursday night’s strike but hoped to arrange a public hearing with Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shortly after House members return to Washington on Tuesday. | |
| “We’re going to try as high a ranking person as we can get as soon as we can get them,” he said. | |
| Smith said he was exploring legislative options to respond to the apparent escalation, including resurrecting a measure to constrain the president’s ability to strike Iran that was passed by the House last year but ultimately rejected by the Trump administration and dropped from a compromise bill passed in December. But he said he was focused for the moment on getting more facts and a more coherent strategy from the administration. | |
| “If they were going to go down this road, it would be much more appropriate if Congress were to have a voice,” he said. “Even [George W. Bush] during the Iraq War regularly had key leaders in Congress over at the White House to talk about what needed to be done. The administration has not really done that. … We have some experience in this area, and I think that dialogue would be helpful in terms of arriving at a better policy and also helpful in ensuring that there was support for whatever that policy wound up being.” | |
| Trump, in his first public remarks since the airstrike in Iran, said Soleimani was plotting “imminent and sinister attacks” against U.S. personnel in the Middle East and needed to be stopped. | |
| The military action was intended to “stop a war. We did not take action to start a war,” Trump said, in brief comments from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He also said he was not seeking regime change in Iran, but warned the current Iranian regime to stop its efforts to destabilize the region. | |
| Trump also warned that if Americans are threatened anywhere, the United States is “ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary.” | |
| Soleimani was “plotting imminent and sinister attacks, but we caught him in the act and terminated him,” Trump said. “Under my leadership, America’s policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American. We will find you, we will eliminate you.” | |
| He added that Soleimani “made the death of innocent people his sick passion” and that the world was “a safer place without these monsters.” | |
| Trump left the podium without taking questions. | |
| WASHINGTON — Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, introduced a war powers resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) is an original co-sponsor of the legislation. | WASHINGTON — Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, introduced a war powers resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) is an original co-sponsor of the legislation. |
| “For years, I’ve been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran. We’re now at a boiling point, and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harm’s way. We owe it to our servicemembers to have a debate and vote about whether or not it’s in our national interest to engage in another unnecessary war in the Middle East,” Kaine said. | “For years, I’ve been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran. We’re now at a boiling point, and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harm’s way. We owe it to our servicemembers to have a debate and vote about whether or not it’s in our national interest to engage in another unnecessary war in the Middle East,” Kaine said. |
| War powers resolutions are privileged, meaning that the Senate will be forced to vote on the legislation. The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution. The resolution requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force, but does not prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack. The resolution will force a public debate and vote in Congress as intended by the framers of the Constitution to determine whether United States forces should be engaged in these hostilities. | War powers resolutions are privileged, meaning that the Senate will be forced to vote on the legislation. The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution. The resolution requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force, but does not prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack. The resolution will force a public debate and vote in Congress as intended by the framers of the Constitution to determine whether United States forces should be engaged in these hostilities. |
| ANAMOSA — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) preempted a town hall meeting in Anamosa, Iowa, on Friday to deliver a forceful rebuke of Trump’s decision to order the killing of Soleimani. He emphasized his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and drew parallels to the current situation in the Middle East. | ANAMOSA — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) preempted a town hall meeting in Anamosa, Iowa, on Friday to deliver a forceful rebuke of Trump’s decision to order the killing of Soleimani. He emphasized his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and drew parallels to the current situation in the Middle East. |
| “This is a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, which could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more death, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world,” Sanders said, speaking against the backdrop of large American flag inside the National Motorcycle Museum. | “This is a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, which could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more death, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world,” Sanders said, speaking against the backdrop of large American flag inside the National Motorcycle Museum. |
| The Vermont senator has a long record of opposing many U.S. military inventions abroad. As a candidate for president, he has frequently brought up his opposition to the Iraq War and at times has contrasted his stance with former vice president Joe Biden’s support for the invasion. Sanders did not mention Biden is his speech Friday. But he focused intensely on his actions from nearly two decades ago, quoting himself and arguing that his words have relevance today. | The Vermont senator has a long record of opposing many U.S. military inventions abroad. As a candidate for president, he has frequently brought up his opposition to the Iraq War and at times has contrasted his stance with former vice president Joe Biden’s support for the invasion. Sanders did not mention Biden is his speech Friday. But he focused intensely on his actions from nearly two decades ago, quoting himself and arguing that his words have relevance today. |
| He said that when he voted against the Iraq War in 2002, “I feared that it would result in greater destabilization in that country and in the entire region. At that time, I warned about the deadly so-called unintended consequences of unilateral invasion. Today, 17 years later, that fear has unfortunately turned out to be a truth.” | He said that when he voted against the Iraq War in 2002, “I feared that it would result in greater destabilization in that country and in the entire region. At that time, I warned about the deadly so-called unintended consequences of unilateral invasion. Today, 17 years later, that fear has unfortunately turned out to be a truth.” |
| He added, “It gives me no pleasure to tell you at this moment we face a similar crossroads fraught with danger.” | He added, “It gives me no pleasure to tell you at this moment we face a similar crossroads fraught with danger.” |
| CAIRO — A senior leader of the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen called on Tehran to take immediate action against the United States and avenge the killing of Soleimani as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a Shiite paramilitary force closely allied with Iran. | CAIRO — A senior leader of the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen called on Tehran to take immediate action against the United States and avenge the killing of Soleimani as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a Shiite paramilitary force closely allied with Iran. |
| “The American aggressiveness of assassinating Soleimani and Al-Muhandis is a war crime against the nation,” said Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Revolutionary Committee, in a brief statement published on the Houthis’ official website. | |
| He also gave condolences to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, and the political leadership in both Iraq and Iran. | He also gave condolences to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, and the political leadership in both Iraq and Iran. |
| Niamh McBurney, the Middle East and North Africa head at the global risk analysis company Verisk Maplecroft, said in an email that “the most likely response from Iran will come through its proxies and affiliated groups in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.” | Niamh McBurney, the Middle East and North Africa head at the global risk analysis company Verisk Maplecroft, said in an email that “the most likely response from Iran will come through its proxies and affiliated groups in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.” |
| The Houthis, which have launched numerous drone attacks into neighboring Saudi Arabia, are widely believed to be supported by Iran. Saudi Arabia leads an American-backed regional Sunni Muslim coalition that is fighting the Shiite Houthis in Yemen, largely to prevent Iran’s growing influence in the region. | The Houthis, which have launched numerous drone attacks into neighboring Saudi Arabia, are widely believed to be supported by Iran. Saudi Arabia leads an American-backed regional Sunni Muslim coalition that is fighting the Shiite Houthis in Yemen, largely to prevent Iran’s growing influence in the region. |
| WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s top general defended the decision to kill a top Iranian military commander in Iraq, saying Friday that the United States had “clear and unambiguous” intelligence that Soleimani was planning a stepped-up “campaign of violence” against Americans and that an attack “might still happen.” | WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s top general defended the decision to kill a top Iranian military commander in Iraq, saying Friday that the United States had “clear and unambiguous” intelligence that Soleimani was planning a stepped-up “campaign of violence” against Americans and that an attack “might still happen.” |
| Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a meeting with several reporters in his office that Soleimani, a major general who commanded Iran’s Quds Force, was killed in Iraq after U.S. officials recently became aware of intelligence that led them to believe that with the “size, scale, scope” of what they saw in planning, there was a greater risk in not taking action against Soleimani than in doing so. | |
| “Is there risk? Damn right there’s risk,” Milley said of possible Iranian reactions. “But we’re mitigating, and we think we’re taking appropriate mitigations.” | “Is there risk? Damn right there’s risk,” Milley said of possible Iranian reactions. “But we’re mitigating, and we think we’re taking appropriate mitigations.” |
| Milley said there is a range of possible outcomes after the strike, and the United States is preparing for them. | Milley said there is a range of possible outcomes after the strike, and the United States is preparing for them. |
| “The ball is in the Iranian court,” Milley said. “It is their choice what the next steps are.” | “The ball is in the Iranian court,” Milley said. “It is their choice what the next steps are.” |
| MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that a drone strike that killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was illegal and threatened Middle Eastern stability and peace. | MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that a drone strike that killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was illegal and threatened Middle Eastern stability and peace. |
| “Lavrov emphasized that the targeted actions of a UN member state to eliminate officials of another UN member state, moreover, in the territory of a third sovereign state without its knowledge, flagrantly violate the principles of international law and deserve to be condemned,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. | “Lavrov emphasized that the targeted actions of a UN member state to eliminate officials of another UN member state, moreover, in the territory of a third sovereign state without its knowledge, flagrantly violate the principles of international law and deserve to be condemned,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. |
| “Moscow urges Washington to abandon the illegal power methods to achieve its goals in the international arena and solve any problems at the negotiating table,” the statement said. | “Moscow urges Washington to abandon the illegal power methods to achieve its goals in the international arena and solve any problems at the negotiating table,” the statement said. |
| NEW YORK — Mayor Bill DeBlasio warned that New York City could be under a “threat that’s different and greater than anything we have faced previously.” | NEW YORK — Mayor Bill DeBlasio warned that New York City could be under a “threat that’s different and greater than anything we have faced previously.” |
| “We have never confronted in recent decades the reality of a war with a government of a large country with an international terror network at its behest,” DeBlasio told reporters at a news conference. “No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States.” | “We have never confronted in recent decades the reality of a war with a government of a large country with an international terror network at its behest,” DeBlasio told reporters at a news conference. “No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States.” |
| Iranian allies have been interested in attacking the city before, the mayor said. “We have plenty of knowledge of previous efforts by Iranian proxies to scout and target locations in New York City. Hezbollah and others have made it a point over the years,” DeBlasio said. | Iranian allies have been interested in attacking the city before, the mayor said. “We have plenty of knowledge of previous efforts by Iranian proxies to scout and target locations in New York City. Hezbollah and others have made it a point over the years,” DeBlasio said. |
| New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said that there were “no specific credible threats” at this time, but that there would be heightened vigilance from law enforcement after the killing of Soleimani. | New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said that there were “no specific credible threats” at this time, but that there would be heightened vigilance from law enforcement after the killing of Soleimani. |
| WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) weighed in on the U.S. drone strike during back-to-back floor speeches, with McConnell praising the Iranian military commander’s death and Schumer condemning the White House for undertaking the operation without congressional input. | WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) weighed in on the U.S. drone strike during back-to-back floor speeches, with McConnell praising the Iranian military commander’s death and Schumer condemning the White House for undertaking the operation without congressional input. |
| McConnell, calling Soleimani a “terrorist mastermind” who was “directly responsible for deaths of more American service members than anyone,” urged his colleagues to reserve judgment until they were briefed by the Pentagon. McConnell said he was setting up a classified briefing for early next week. | McConnell, calling Soleimani a “terrorist mastermind” who was “directly responsible for deaths of more American service members than anyone,” urged his colleagues to reserve judgment until they were briefed by the Pentagon. McConnell said he was setting up a classified briefing for early next week. |
| “Predictable enough in this political environment, the operation that led to Soleimani’s death may prove controversial or divisive,” McConnell said. “I recommend that all senators want to review the facts and hear from the administration before passing much public judgment on this operation and its potential consequences.” | “Predictable enough in this political environment, the operation that led to Soleimani’s death may prove controversial or divisive,” McConnell said. “I recommend that all senators want to review the facts and hear from the administration before passing much public judgment on this operation and its potential consequences.” |
| But Schumer said he and other Democratic leaders should have been informed about the strike. It’s unclear which Republicans were given advance notice, but Trump supporter Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said he knew ahead of time. | But Schumer said he and other Democratic leaders should have been informed about the strike. It’s unclear which Republicans were given advance notice, but Trump supporter Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said he knew ahead of time. |
| “I’m a member of the Gang of Eight, which is typically briefed in advance of operations of this level of significance. We were not,” Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor, referring to the House speaker and minority leader, the Senate majority and minority leaders, and the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. “When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum.” | “I’m a member of the Gang of Eight, which is typically briefed in advance of operations of this level of significance. We were not,” Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor, referring to the House speaker and minority leader, the Senate majority and minority leaders, and the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. “When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum.” |
| BAGHDAD — Anxieties and fear rippled through the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Friday as an entire nation held its breath. Streets were quiet. Many restaurants were deserted. Along checkpoints down the streets, young soldiers and militiamen clutched their weapons tight, appearing nervous at what might follow. | BAGHDAD — Anxieties and fear rippled through the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Friday as an entire nation held its breath. Streets were quiet. Many restaurants were deserted. Along checkpoints down the streets, young soldiers and militiamen clutched their weapons tight, appearing nervous at what might follow. |
| Iraqis know well what it means to be trapped in a bloody shadow war between allies Iran and the United States. Some referenced the feeling of calm before the storm that pervaded the days before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. “It’s just like 2003, but we have social media this time,” one woman wrote in a post. | Iraqis know well what it means to be trapped in a bloody shadow war between allies Iran and the United States. Some referenced the feeling of calm before the storm that pervaded the days before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. “It’s just like 2003, but we have social media this time,” one woman wrote in a post. |
| In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of anti-government protests that have swept the country and decried Iranian influence over Iraq’s politics, early morning celebrations over Soleimani’s death gave way to a darker mood. Many said they feared a violent assault by Iran-backed militias, as they have already witnessed several times in recent months. Unlike previous Fridays among the protesters, there were no chants, activities or free food. For one of the young men gathered there, Ayad Emad, it was time to leave. “World War III is about to happen, and this is beyond demonstrations demanding reforms. No one is going to listen to us, given the circumstances.” | In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of anti-government protests that have swept the country and decried Iranian influence over Iraq’s politics, early morning celebrations over Soleimani’s death gave way to a darker mood. Many said they feared a violent assault by Iran-backed militias, as they have already witnessed several times in recent months. Unlike previous Fridays among the protesters, there were no chants, activities or free food. For one of the young men gathered there, Ayad Emad, it was time to leave. “World War III is about to happen, and this is beyond demonstrations demanding reforms. No one is going to listen to us, given the circumstances.” |
| More than 500 people have already died in a months-long and Iran-backed campaign to quash the movement. “If there is an act of revenge for what happened this morning, there will be unnecessary bloodshed,” Emad said. | More than 500 people have already died in a months-long and Iran-backed campaign to quash the movement. “If there is an act of revenge for what happened this morning, there will be unnecessary bloodshed,” Emad said. |
| WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Friday afternoon that it is deploying 3,500 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to bolster security in the region. | |
| The forces will join a battalion of about 750 soldiers from the division that arrived in Kuwait on Thursday, said three defense officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. | |
| The soldiers are with the division’s “ready brigade,” a unit that is trained and prepared to deploy on short notice. Defense officials said Thursday that the remainder of the brigade was ordered to prepare for a deployment, but it wasn’t clear then if they would do so. | The soldiers are with the division’s “ready brigade,” a unit that is trained and prepared to deploy on short notice. Defense officials said Thursday that the remainder of the brigade was ordered to prepare for a deployment, but it wasn’t clear then if they would do so. |
| “This deployment was an anticipated and expected outcome when they were placed on notice,” the Pentagon said in a statement released Friday. “The brigade will deploy to Kuwait as an appropriate and precautionary action in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, and will assist in reconstituting the reserve.” | |
| Two of the defense officials said that the military also has put hundreds of soldiers from the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy on alert that they could deploy. They are preparing to do so, but it is not yet clear whether they will be sent. | |
| The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, a force of about 4,500 Marines and sailors aboard combat ships, also is moving east toward the Mediterranean, and could be called upon if the situation with Iran escalates, defense officials said. The group includes jets, amphibious vehicles and about 2,200 Marines. | |
| BEIRUT — As the Middle East grappled with the fallout from Soleimani’s death, perhaps the most divided reaction came from Syria, where the Iranian commander is seen as a hero by supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was backed by Iran, and a villain by Assad’s opponents. | BEIRUT — As the Middle East grappled with the fallout from Soleimani’s death, perhaps the most divided reaction came from Syria, where the Iranian commander is seen as a hero by supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was backed by Iran, and a villain by Assad’s opponents. |
| “The martyr Soleimani will be canonized in the souls of the Syrian people who will not forget his standing beside the Syrian Arab army,” Assad said in a telegram to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. | “The martyr Soleimani will be canonized in the souls of the Syrian people who will not forget his standing beside the Syrian Arab army,” Assad said in a telegram to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. |
| But in Ariha, a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria’s Idlib province, Syrians filled the streets in celebration, waving revolutionary flags. “Soleimani is gone, gone, gone,” a man sang. | But in Ariha, a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria’s Idlib province, Syrians filled the streets in celebration, waving revolutionary flags. “Soleimani is gone, gone, gone,” a man sang. |
| Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the news was a shock. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that has seats in parliament and is one of Iran’s staunchest allies, released a statement praising Soleimani’s record leading militias in Iraq, a country Nasrallah said had been freed “from occupation and terrorism.” | Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the news was a shock. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that has seats in parliament and is one of Iran’s staunchest allies, released a statement praising Soleimani’s record leading militias in Iraq, a country Nasrallah said had been freed “from occupation and terrorism.” |
| Lebanon’s foreign ministry, headed by Gebran Bassil, a Hezbollah ally, also condemned the U.S. attack and called it a “dangerous escalation against Iran that aims to increase tension in the area.” | Lebanon’s foreign ministry, headed by Gebran Bassil, a Hezbollah ally, also condemned the U.S. attack and called it a “dangerous escalation against Iran that aims to increase tension in the area.” |
| There was a muted official response on Friday from the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, including from states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that have prodded the United States to take stronger action against Iran, while at the same time fretting about the consequences of escalating tensions in the region. | There was a muted official response on Friday from the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, including from states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that have prodded the United States to take stronger action against Iran, while at the same time fretting about the consequences of escalating tensions in the region. |
| A Saudi government statement, noting the threats from “terrorist militias” in Iraq, also called for “self-restraint to prevent everything that might exacerbate the situation.” Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, wrote that “in light of the quickening regional developments, wisdom and balance should prevail,” in a message on Twitter. | A Saudi government statement, noting the threats from “terrorist militias” in Iraq, also called for “self-restraint to prevent everything that might exacerbate the situation.” Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, wrote that “in light of the quickening regional developments, wisdom and balance should prevail,” in a message on Twitter. |
| There were scattered protests against the United States after Friday prayers in Bahrain, a tiny Persian Gulf state with a Shiite Muslim majority that hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, according to activists there. In Kuwait, the government warned citizens to “avoid discourse that might affect national unity and lead to division and trouble,” according to the Kuwait News Agency. | There were scattered protests against the United States after Friday prayers in Bahrain, a tiny Persian Gulf state with a Shiite Muslim majority that hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, according to activists there. In Kuwait, the government warned citizens to “avoid discourse that might affect national unity and lead to division and trouble,” according to the Kuwait News Agency. |
| WASHINGTON — In photographs released by the official office of Iran’s supreme leader on Friday, Khamenei was shown visiting Soleimani’s mourning family in Tehran. | WASHINGTON — In photographs released by the official office of Iran’s supreme leader on Friday, Khamenei was shown visiting Soleimani’s mourning family in Tehran. |
| Soleimani is reported to have had four children. An official from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an alliance of pro-Iran militias in Iraq, told The Washington Post that his son-in-law was also among the dead in Friday morning’s strike too. | Soleimani is reported to have had four children. An official from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an alliance of pro-Iran militias in Iraq, told The Washington Post that his son-in-law was also among the dead in Friday morning’s strike too. |
| TORONTO — Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne called on all sides Friday “to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation” after a U.S. airstrike killed one of Iran’s top military commanders. | TORONTO — Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne called on all sides Friday “to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation” after a U.S. airstrike killed one of Iran’s top military commanders. |
| “Canada has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, led by Qasem Soleimani, whose aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond,” he said in a statement Friday. | “Canada has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, led by Qasem Soleimani, whose aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond,” he said in a statement Friday. |
| Canada has as many as 850 military personnel in Iraq and the surrounding region, as a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State and to train Iraqi forces. Champagne said their safety and that of Canada’s diplomats is his “paramount concern.” | Canada has as many as 850 military personnel in Iraq and the surrounding region, as a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State and to train Iraqi forces. Champagne said their safety and that of Canada’s diplomats is his “paramount concern.” |
| BEIRUT — Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia whose rocket attack last Friday on U.S. troops in Iraq precipitated the sudden escalation in tensions, warned Friday that the United States would face “grave consequences” for the killing of Soleimani and the group’s deputy leader. | BEIRUT — Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia whose rocket attack last Friday on U.S. troops in Iraq precipitated the sudden escalation in tensions, warned Friday that the United States would face “grave consequences” for the killing of Soleimani and the group’s deputy leader. |
| The strike “places Iraq, the region, and the world in front of a dangerous juncture, the consequences of which may lead towards a war that spares none” the militia warned in a statement. “This will be the beginning of the end of the American presence in Iraq and the region.” | The strike “places Iraq, the region, and the world in front of a dangerous juncture, the consequences of which may lead towards a war that spares none” the militia warned in a statement. “This will be the beginning of the end of the American presence in Iraq and the region.” |
| Kataib Hezbollah is one of dozens of Shiite militias in Iraq that fall under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashd Shaabi, whose deputy leader Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed. It was considered one of the most directly influenced by Iran and was regarded as an extension of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, which Soleimani commanded. | Kataib Hezbollah is one of dozens of Shiite militias in Iraq that fall under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashd Shaabi, whose deputy leader Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed. It was considered one of the most directly influenced by Iran and was regarded as an extension of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, which Soleimani commanded. |
| The United States is holding Kataib Hezbollah responsible for an escalating campaign of rocket attacks targeting Iraqi bases where U.S. troops are present that culminated in the death last week of a U.S. contractor in Kirkuk. The U.S. airstrikes carried out in response against Kataib Hezbollah bases last Sunday triggered the attempt to storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by thousands of militia supporters on Tuesday. The group had agreed to leave the embassy perimeter Wednesday, before Soleimani was targeted early Friday. | The United States is holding Kataib Hezbollah responsible for an escalating campaign of rocket attacks targeting Iraqi bases where U.S. troops are present that culminated in the death last week of a U.S. contractor in Kirkuk. The U.S. airstrikes carried out in response against Kataib Hezbollah bases last Sunday triggered the attempt to storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by thousands of militia supporters on Tuesday. The group had agreed to leave the embassy perimeter Wednesday, before Soleimani was targeted early Friday. |
| WASHINGTON — Michael Morell, the former acting CIA director under the Obama administration, told “CBS This Morning” that “there will be dead Americans, dead civilian Americans, as a result of this” airstrike, adding that a response could come “possibly over the next few days.” | WASHINGTON — Michael Morell, the former acting CIA director under the Obama administration, told “CBS This Morning” that “there will be dead Americans, dead civilian Americans, as a result of this” airstrike, adding that a response could come “possibly over the next few days.” |
| Morell said that Iraq was the most likely place where U.S. citizens would come under threat, but he also pointed toward Lebanon, Bahrain and other places where Tehran-aligned militias operate. “This sets a precedent that senior officials are fair game,” Morell added. | Morell said that Iraq was the most likely place where U.S. citizens would come under threat, but he also pointed toward Lebanon, Bahrain and other places where Tehran-aligned militias operate. “This sets a precedent that senior officials are fair game,” Morell added. |
| Iranian hard-liners and their allies were likely to rally after the killing of a popular figure, said Morell, who retired from the agency in 2013 and has criticized the Trump administration. “I think we’ve now ended any hope of keeping Iraq out of Iran’s arms,” Morell said, suggesting that Iraqi politicians may now move to expel U.S. troops from the country. | Iranian hard-liners and their allies were likely to rally after the killing of a popular figure, said Morell, who retired from the agency in 2013 and has criticized the Trump administration. “I think we’ve now ended any hope of keeping Iraq out of Iran’s arms,” Morell said, suggesting that Iraqi politicians may now move to expel U.S. troops from the country. |
| JERUSALEM — Israelis reacted with muted satisfaction Friday to the killing of Soleimani, a man they considered the mastermind behind decades of terrorism directed against their country, even as they braced for potentially deadly retaliation by Iran and its proxies at a time of pitched tension in the region. | JERUSALEM — Israelis reacted with muted satisfaction Friday to the killing of Soleimani, a man they considered the mastermind behind decades of terrorism directed against their country, even as they braced for potentially deadly retaliation by Iran and its proxies at a time of pitched tension in the region. |
| Israel’s embassies around the world were put on heightened alert, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a visit to Greece to monitor the situation from Jerusalem. Israel’s official reaction to the U.S. drone strike was restrained so as not to further inflame the moment or imply any Israeli involvement. Netanyahu instructed government officials not to comment but hailed the attack in remarks to reporters while traveling. | Israel’s embassies around the world were put on heightened alert, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a visit to Greece to monitor the situation from Jerusalem. Israel’s official reaction to the U.S. drone strike was restrained so as not to further inflame the moment or imply any Israeli involvement. Netanyahu instructed government officials not to comment but hailed the attack in remarks to reporters while traveling. |
| WASHINGTON — Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a prominent voice on Iran policy, said he was not briefed on the Soleimani strike and called on the Trump administration to deliver more answers to Congress on what prompted the attack. | WASHINGTON — Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a prominent voice on Iran policy, said he was not briefed on the Soleimani strike and called on the Trump administration to deliver more answers to Congress on what prompted the attack. |
| “I fear that this administration used tactics but has no strategy in the long term,” Menendez said in an MSNBC appearance, “and what we cannot accept is a march to an unauthorized war.” | “I fear that this administration used tactics but has no strategy in the long term,” Menendez said in an MSNBC appearance, “and what we cannot accept is a march to an unauthorized war.” |
| Lawmakers “need to see the facts,” he added. “If they can prove through the intelligence that this was an imminent threat against U.S. interests and personnel and that it was defensive in nature, then maybe it has the authority to [strike Soleimani]. But if they cannot … we see a gradual march to military action directly or indirectly with Iran, that has not been authorized by Congress. And if that’s where you’re headed, then you need to come to Congress to get an authorization for the use of military force.” | Lawmakers “need to see the facts,” he added. “If they can prove through the intelligence that this was an imminent threat against U.S. interests and personnel and that it was defensive in nature, then maybe it has the authority to [strike Soleimani]. But if they cannot … we see a gradual march to military action directly or indirectly with Iran, that has not been authorized by Congress. And if that’s where you’re headed, then you need to come to Congress to get an authorization for the use of military force.” |
| Menendez also speculated about possible retaliatory attacks that Iran may be considering, ranging from actions by proxy groups against U.S. allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, to targeting the region’s oil production capacity, to even attacks on the U.S. homeland. | Menendez also speculated about possible retaliatory attacks that Iran may be considering, ranging from actions by proxy groups against U.S. allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, to targeting the region’s oil production capacity, to even attacks on the U.S. homeland. |
| “They can have sleeper cells in the United States,” he said. “It is possible to see sympathizers and supporters of the Quds Force in Iran make attacks here.” | “They can have sleeper cells in the United States,” he said. “It is possible to see sympathizers and supporters of the Quds Force in Iran make attacks here.” |
| WASHINGTON — Trump tweeted Friday morning that the United States has been paying large sums of money to Iraq “on top of all else we have done for them” and criticized the influence of Iran in the country. | WASHINGTON — Trump tweeted Friday morning that the United States has been paying large sums of money to Iraq “on top of all else we have done for them” and criticized the influence of Iran in the country. |
| “The people of Iraq don’t want to be dominated & controlled by Iran, but ultimately, that is their choice,” Trump added, before tweeting that the people of Iraq were not happy with the influence of Iran over their country. “It will never end well!” | “The people of Iraq don’t want to be dominated & controlled by Iran, but ultimately, that is their choice,” Trump added, before tweeting that the people of Iraq were not happy with the influence of Iran over their country. “It will never end well!” |
| U.S. strike on top Iranian commander sharply divides Congress | U.S. strike on top Iranian commander sharply divides Congress |
| WASHINGTON — António Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations, is “deeply concerned with the recent escalation” in the Middle East, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson. | WASHINGTON — António Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations, is “deeply concerned with the recent escalation” in the Middle East, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson. |
| “This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint,” the statement read. “The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.” | “This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint,” the statement read. “The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.” |
| BERLIN — European politicians on Friday warned of the potential for a violent blowback after the United States killed Iran’s top military commander. The British and German governments called for a de-escalation after the United States announced overnight that President Trump had ordered the killing of Soleimani. German government deputy spokesperson Ulrike Demmer said it marked a “dangerous escalation point.” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain had always recognized “the aggressive threat” posed by Soleimani but “further conflict is in none of our interests.” Some U.S. allies urged their citizens to leave Iraq immediately. | BERLIN — European politicians on Friday warned of the potential for a violent blowback after the United States killed Iran’s top military commander. The British and German governments called for a de-escalation after the United States announced overnight that President Trump had ordered the killing of Soleimani. German government deputy spokesperson Ulrike Demmer said it marked a “dangerous escalation point.” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain had always recognized “the aggressive threat” posed by Soleimani but “further conflict is in none of our interests.” Some U.S. allies urged their citizens to leave Iraq immediately. |
| WASHINGTON — Crude oil prices spiked 4 percent Friday after news of Soleimani’s death spread, an abrupt escalation of Middle East tensions with serious implications for global oil supplies and economic growth. | WASHINGTON — Crude oil prices spiked 4 percent Friday after news of Soleimani’s death spread, an abrupt escalation of Middle East tensions with serious implications for global oil supplies and economic growth. |
| Brent crude surged more than $2.50 a barrel, to $68.96, in its biggest jump since Saudi oil fields came under attack in September. West Texas Intermediate hit $63.72 a barrel, an eight-month high. Oil company stocks also climbed, with Shell up 1.4 percent and BP up 1.9 percent in Europe. | Brent crude surged more than $2.50 a barrel, to $68.96, in its biggest jump since Saudi oil fields came under attack in September. West Texas Intermediate hit $63.72 a barrel, an eight-month high. Oil company stocks also climbed, with Shell up 1.4 percent and BP up 1.9 percent in Europe. |