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Iran crisis: US to send thousands more troops to Middle East as Tehran vows 'severe revenge' – live Iran crisis: US to send thousands more troops to Middle East as Tehran vows 'severe revenge' – live
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Follow for live updates as the world reacts to news of US drone strike ordered by Donald Trump on Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in BaghdadFollow for live updates as the world reacts to news of US drone strike ordered by Donald Trump on Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad
Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson said she would be releasing a “video update on the Iran situation today,” but considering the self-help author has had to lay off her campaign staff nationally, the update will likely be a rather low-tech production.
Senator Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the intelligence committee, released a statement condemning Qassem Suleimani as “the personification of a state sponsor of terrorism” who had “become the single most destabilizing force in the Middle East.”
“Iran and the Iranian people can now turn away from Soleimani’s murderous adventurism, redirect the Quds Force’s money into Iran’s economy, bring home the troops Soleimani sent abroad, and move forward toward building a more peaceful region,” Burr said of the general’s death.
But Burr’s statement does not address the potential reprisals against US forces for the Suleimani strike or possible next steps in the Middle East.
It’s worth noting that Democrats are in agreement with Republicans about the thousands of deaths that Suleimani caused, but Democratic lawmakers are raising concerns that the costs of the general’s killing may far outweigh the benefits.
And Trump’s allies don’t seem to be coming up with much of a counterargument on that front.
Defense secretary Mark Esper has canceled his planned personal leave, which he was scheduled to take later this month, in the wake of the Suleimani strike.
The Pentagon released a statement last night calling the strike a “decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad,” claiming the Iranian general was “actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.”
But Esper has not made himself available to reporters today, leaving many questions about what action defense officials were trying to prevent.
The killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani by the US in Iraq was an act of “international terrorism,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told state TV on Friday, the Associated Press reports.The killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani by the US in Iraq was an act of “international terrorism,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told state TV on Friday, the Associated Press reports.
“It was an extremely dangerous, foolish escalation ... He was the most effective force fighting against Islamic State and al Qaeda terrorists,” Zarif said.“It was an extremely dangerous, foolish escalation ... He was the most effective force fighting against Islamic State and al Qaeda terrorists,” Zarif said.
Defense officials told the AP that nearly 3,000 more troops from the 82nd Airborne Division would be deployed to the Middle East amid fears of reprisals against the US for the killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.Defense officials told the AP that nearly 3,000 more troops from the 82nd Airborne Division would be deployed to the Middle East amid fears of reprisals against the US for the killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
The commander of the Quds force, which was previously run by the late general Qassem Suleimani, advised Iranians to “be patient” following the US drone strike and witness the deaths of Americans across the Middle East.The commander of the Quds force, which was previously run by the late general Qassem Suleimani, advised Iranians to “be patient” following the US drone strike and witness the deaths of Americans across the Middle East.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer argued Trump “does not have the authority for a war with Iran” and questioned what “legal basis” the president had for the Suleimani strike.Speaking on the Senate floor, Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer argued Trump “does not have the authority for a war with Iran” and questioned what “legal basis” the president had for the Suleimani strike.
“The need for advance consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution for a reason,” Schumer said, noting that Democratic leaders were not given advance notice of the strike.“The need for advance consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution for a reason,” Schumer said, noting that Democratic leaders were not given advance notice of the strike.
The New York Democrat added, “When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum.”The New York Democrat added, “When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum.”
As the US braces for possible reprisals following the killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, the Pentagon is reportedly deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East.As the US braces for possible reprisals following the killing of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, the Pentagon is reportedly deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East.
The news comes after Iran’s supreme leader promsied “severe revenge” on the US, but the move could anger some supporters of Donald Trump, who ran for president on the basis of curtailing America’s military presence abroad.The news comes after Iran’s supreme leader promsied “severe revenge” on the US, but the move could anger some supporters of Donald Trump, who ran for president on the basis of curtailing America’s military presence abroad.
In the wake of the Suleimani strike, retaliation against the US seems virtually certain, although the exact nature of those reprisals remains unclear.In the wake of the Suleimani strike, retaliation against the US seems virtually certain, although the exact nature of those reprisals remains unclear.
The Guardian’s Julian Borger reports:The Guardian’s Julian Borger reports:
The supreme leader of Iran visited the family of Qassem Suleimani after the Iranian general was killed in a US drone strike, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted a photo from the visit to his Instagram page.The supreme leader of Iran visited the family of Qassem Suleimani after the Iranian general was killed in a US drone strike, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted a photo from the visit to his Instagram page.
Speaking in the first caucus state of Iowa, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned that the Suleimani strike could bring the US to “the brink of a new kind of conflict in the Middle East.”Speaking in the first caucus state of Iowa, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned that the Suleimani strike could bring the US to “the brink of a new kind of conflict in the Middle East.”
Two of the other frontrunners in the Democratic presidential primary, senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have similarly warned the killing of the top Iranian general could set the US on the path to war.Two of the other frontrunners in the Democratic presidential primary, senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have similarly warned the killing of the top Iranian general could set the US on the path to war.
Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader of the US Senate, said all senators would be briefed on the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani early next week.Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader of the US Senate, said all senators would be briefed on the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani early next week.
The Kentucky Republican also noted that key Senate staffers would be briefed by Trump administration officials later today.The Kentucky Republican also noted that key Senate staffers would be briefed by Trump administration officials later today.
McConnell acknowledged that the operation in Baghdad “may prove controversial or divisive,” but he advised his Senate colleagues to “wait to review the facts and hear from the administration” before passing judgement on the state of affairs.McConnell acknowledged that the operation in Baghdad “may prove controversial or divisive,” but he advised his Senate colleagues to “wait to review the facts and hear from the administration” before passing judgement on the state of affairs.
The Senate leader then turned his attention to the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, the timing and parameters of which remain deeply uncertain.The Senate leader then turned his attention to the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, the timing and parameters of which remain deeply uncertain.
Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader of the US Senate, is speaking on the Senate floor about the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader of the US Senate, is speaking on the Senate floor about the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
“Iran’s master terrorist is dead,” McConnell said, adding that Suleimani targeted US and Israeli forces and “masterminded Iran’s malevolent and destabilizing work throughout the entire Middle East.”“Iran’s master terrorist is dead,” McConnell said, adding that Suleimani targeted US and Israeli forces and “masterminded Iran’s malevolent and destabilizing work throughout the entire Middle East.”
“Now his terrorist leadership has been ended,” McConnell said.“Now his terrorist leadership has been ended,” McConnell said.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said he has spoken to Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and “emphasized that de-escalation is the United States’ principal goal” after launching a drone strike that killed Iran’s top general.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said he has spoken to Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and “emphasized that de-escalation is the United States’ principal goal” after launching a drone strike that killed Iran’s top general.
The French government has released a statement on the conversation between Jean-Yves Le Drian, the country’s minister of Europe and foreign affairs, and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo regarding the Suleimani strike.The French government has released a statement on the conversation between Jean-Yves Le Drian, the country’s minister of Europe and foreign affairs, and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo regarding the Suleimani strike.
“The minister underscored France’s concern over the rise in tensions in the Middle East over the past several months, with a sudden escalation in Iraq in recent weeks,” the statement reads.“The minister underscored France’s concern over the rise in tensions in the Middle East over the past several months, with a sudden escalation in Iraq in recent weeks,” the statement reads.
“For France and all of its partners, every effort must now be made to avoid a further escalation of tensions and to facilitate de-escalation in order to preserve the stability of Iraq and the region as a whole.“For France and all of its partners, every effort must now be made to avoid a further escalation of tensions and to facilitate de-escalation in order to preserve the stability of Iraq and the region as a whole.
“In the current situation, France calls on all the parties to show restraint and on Iran to avoid taking any measures liable to aggravate regional instability or lead to a serious nuclear proliferation crisis.”“In the current situation, France calls on all the parties to show restraint and on Iran to avoid taking any measures liable to aggravate regional instability or lead to a serious nuclear proliferation crisis.”
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, released a statement on the Suleimani strike warning of the “immediate and very real dangers to American citizens in and out of uniform in the Middle East.”Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, released a statement on the Suleimani strike warning of the “immediate and very real dangers to American citizens in and out of uniform in the Middle East.”
“There is no question that Qassim Suleimani was a threat to that safety and security, and that he masterminded threats and attacks on Americans and our allies, leading to hundreds of deaths,” Buttigieg said. “But there are serious questions about how this decision was made and whether we are prepared for the consequences.”“There is no question that Qassim Suleimani was a threat to that safety and security, and that he masterminded threats and attacks on Americans and our allies, leading to hundreds of deaths,” Buttigieg said. “But there are serious questions about how this decision was made and whether we are prepared for the consequences.”
The former Indiana mayor concluded his statement by warning against the possibility of “another endless war” and implicitly criticizing Donald Trump, who has been active on Twitter today.The former Indiana mayor concluded his statement by warning against the possibility of “another endless war” and implicitly criticizing Donald Trump, who has been active on Twitter today.
“As we learn more in the coming days and weeks, one thing is clear: this must not be the start of another endless war,” Buttigieg said. “We must act wisely and deliberately, not capriciously or through Twitter.”“As we learn more in the coming days and weeks, one thing is clear: this must not be the start of another endless war,” Buttigieg said. “We must act wisely and deliberately, not capriciously or through Twitter.”
Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who now serves as a Democratic congresswoman, wrote in a tweet thread that the Trump administration must immediately confer with Congress about its strategy following the Suleimani strike.Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who now serves as a Democratic congresswoman, wrote in a tweet thread that the Trump administration must immediately confer with Congress about its strategy following the Suleimani strike.
Slotkin noted she served under two presidents, Barack Obama and George W Bush, who both decided against attacking Suleimani out of fear of retaliation. “The two administrations I worked for both determined that the ultimate ends didn’t justify the means,” Slotkin wrote. “The Trump Administration has made a different calculation. ...Slotkin noted she served under two presidents, Barack Obama and George W Bush, who both decided against attacking Suleimani out of fear of retaliation. “The two administrations I worked for both determined that the ultimate ends didn’t justify the means,” Slotkin wrote. “The Trump Administration has made a different calculation. ...
“It is critical that the Administration has thought out the moves and counter-moves this attack will precipitate, and is prepared to protect our diplomats, service members, and citizens serving overseas. ...“It is critical that the Administration has thought out the moves and counter-moves this attack will precipitate, and is prepared to protect our diplomats, service members, and citizens serving overseas. ...
“This Admin., like all others, has the right to act in self-defense. But the Administration must come to Congress immediately and consult,” Slotkin continued. “Congress needs to understand the Administration’s plan as soon as possible.”“This Admin., like all others, has the right to act in self-defense. But the Administration must come to Congress immediately and consult,” Slotkin continued. “Congress needs to understand the Administration’s plan as soon as possible.”
Barbara Slavin, the director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, writes in a New York Times op-ed that the current state of US-Iranian relations is “tragic” and “the product of a series of strategic blunders”.Barbara Slavin, the director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, writes in a New York Times op-ed that the current state of US-Iranian relations is “tragic” and “the product of a series of strategic blunders”.
Slavin writes:Slavin writes:
Most Democratic lawmakers have criticised Donald Trump’s authorisation of the Suleimani strike on the basis that the president did not seek congressional approval and acted without serious consideration of the potential consequences.Most Democratic lawmakers have criticised Donald Trump’s authorisation of the Suleimani strike on the basis that the president did not seek congressional approval and acted without serious consideration of the potential consequences.
However, some Democrats, including the congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, have started accusing Trump of only choosing to attack Suleimani because he believed it would help his chances in this year’s presidential election.However, some Democrats, including the congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, have started accusing Trump of only choosing to attack Suleimani because he believed it would help his chances in this year’s presidential election.