Top Iran commander Soleimani killed in US strike on Baghdad; Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COAS received telephone call from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Regional situation including possible implications of recent escalation in Middle East was discussed. (1of2).</p>— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1213140190463758337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COAS emphasised need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to de-escalate the situation in broader interest of peace and stability. COAS also reiterated the need for maintaining focus on success of Afghan Peace Process.(2of2).</p>— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1213140192388886528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Impeachment around the corner - good time to show some teeth for Trump

but then he's not the first US president to do this.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Attacking an Embassy of a country is considered an Act of War on the country itself, so there you are. Plus US has lot of financial interests & strategic assets (troops) in Iraq, Iran should have known that we would have responded if any of it were directly threatened. As i said, the magnitude of the response can be questioned, but the response itself was inevitable.

Well, if attacking an embassy is seen as an act of war, I guess parking your troops in the backyard of another country is sending a message as well.

 

[MenInG]

India will do nothing. One phone call from Trump is enough to straighten up Modi.

May be North Korea or China can help. North Korea is a poor country and China will not fight other's wars. They will make some empty threats at best.

Iran is a nobody and the Mullah regime should realize it for their own good.

Remember they dont need to fight with US - all they need to do is bother their allies in the region.

 

[MenInG]

Well, if attacking an embassy is seen as an act of war, I guess parking your troops in the backyard of another country is sending a message as well.

Question should be asked of the Iraq Govt about what a senior Irani general was doing in that country?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Yanks should never be in Iraq, their invasion was an act of state terrorism.

The General wasn't a good person but compared to the Yanks a cartoon character.

Trump was told to attack Iran by Bolton but he fired Bolton. American presidents are not the ones in power, his refusal meant impeachment. Trump now is changing his tune so he can hang on to power. Trump, Obama, Bush and all senior Yank politicians are nothing but mere bchs and puppets of Zionists.

Iran can ruin the planet in a week if it chooses to do so but since no attack on Iranian soil, they will continue with the proxy war for now.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Question should be asked of the Iraq Govt about what a senior Irani general was doing in that country?

Iraq has been effectively carved up anyway, Iran is trying to get it's slice of the pie. I am unsure how seriously anyone regards the Iraq govt, seems like the whole country is a mess much like Libya.

 

[sjahmed23]

Was this the reason UAE prince came to Pakistan for?

 

[cric_man]

Iraq has been effectively carved up anyway, Iran is trying to get it's slice of the pie. I am unsure how seriously anyone regards the Iraq govt, seems like the whole country is a mess much like Libya.

And both countries have a lot of oil, which no one really knows who is controlling in all the chaos.

 

[troodon]

Remember they dont need to fight with US - all they need to do is bother their allies in the region.

That is what iran will do. Kill a few Americans in the gulf. Probably attack Saudis and Israel. Once the hot heads calm down, it will be business as usual.
Iran is in no position to do any damage to US. May be only to its allies.

 

[IAJ]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COAS received telephone call from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Regional situation including possible implications of recent escalation in Middle East was discussed. (1of2).</p>— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1213140190463758337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COAS emphasised need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to de-escalate the situation in broader interest of peace and stability. COAS also reiterated the need for maintaining focus on success of Afghan Peace Process.(2of2).</p>— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1213140192388886528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well, so US can kill anybody and the victims should just cry and forget it. Even their own people are saying this action was illegal.

 

[dildilpak]

Well, if attacking an embassy is seen as an act of war, I guess parking your troops in the backyard of another country is sending a message as well.

Nobody can defend Iraq invasion in the Bush era, but If US had withdrawn troops during ISIS occupation that too would not have gone down well, would it? What would you expect Trump or any other President to do under these circumstances?

 

[Kroll]

Attacking an Embassy of a country is considered an Act of War on the country itself, so there you are. Plus US has lot of financial interests & strategic assets (troops) in Iraq, Iran should have known that we would have responded if any of it were directly threatened. As i said, the magnitude of the response can be questioned, but the response itself was inevitable.

Not if it's just a bunch of aggravated civilians out to protest. This wasn't a military attack on the embassy.

 

[dildilpak]

Well, so US can kill anybody and the victims should just cry and forget it. Even their own people are saying this action was illegal.

Who? The democrats - who till recently were crying when Trump was announcing troop withdrawal from Middle East/Afghanistan??
Or even the crazy 4 brigade whom hardly anybody takes seriously?

 

[dildilpak]

Not if it's just a bunch of aggravated civilians out to protest. This wasn't a military attack on the embassy.

Aggravated civilians? That attack on the Embassy was conducted by Iraqi PML whose leader Abu Al-Mohandis was also killed receiving Soleimani at the airport. Do you think people are so stupid that they can’t see the obvious??

 

[KingKhanWC]

Nobody can defend Iraq invasion in the Bush era, but If US had withdrawn troops during ISIS occupation that too would not have gone down well, would it? What would you expect Trump or any other President to do under these circumstances?

US created and supported ISIS, wake up bro.

 

[dildilpak]

US created and supported ISIS, wake up bro.

We have heard this before, but you forgot to add - 9/11 was a US conspiracy plus OBL never died in Abbotabad. No shortage of conspiracy theorists in this world.

 

[Kroll]

Aggravated civilians? That attack on the Embassy was conducted by Iraqi PML whose leader Abu Al-Mohandis was also killed receiving Soleimani at the airport. Do you think people are so stupid that they can’t see the obvious??

Still, it wasn't the direct paramilitary or the regular military that attacked it, rather supporters (civilians) of the paramilitary. This can't be deemed an act of war.

Embassies around the world are often targeted by protesters, sometimes events get violent but countries don't start going war with each over it.

 

[dildilpak]

Still, it wasn't the direct paramilitary or the regular military that attacked it, rather supporters (civilians) of the paramilitary. This can't be deemed an act of war.

Embassies around the world are often targeted by protesters, sometimes events get violent but countries don't start going war with each over it.

Can you/anybody first answer why was Soleimani in Iraq, 2 days after the attack on the US embassy meeting the guy who orchestrated those attacks? We all know about military proxies, don’t we?

 

[IndianHero]

After this attack ppl in south asia should embrace for more fuel prices ! I heard petrol is Rs 126 in pakistan which will increase more & same in India where its Rs 76/ lt currently which will increase more.

Sadly bcoz of this war more burden falls on poor people in asian countries

 

[KingKhanWC]

We have heard this before, but you forgot to add - 9/11 was a US conspiracy plus OBL never died in Abbotabad. No shortage of conspiracy theorists in this world.

I challenge you to debate this. You have heard nothing but read western media and accepted them. Did you also accept Saddam had WMD;s?

 

[Ronaldo7]

We have heard this before, but you forgot to add - 9/11 was a US conspiracy plus OBL never died in Abbotabad. No shortage of conspiracy theorists in this world.

The US aided the Mujahideen and that's a fact.

Do you reject this too?

 

[IMMY69]

Can you/anybody first answer why was Soleimani in Iraq, 2 days after the attack on the US embassy meeting the guy who orchestrated those attacks? We all know about military proxies, don’t we?

Nonsense

 

[dildilpak]

The US aided the Mujahideen and that's a fact.

Do you reject this too?

That was way before they turned back on America which does not discount that 9/11 actually happened.

 

[Kroll]

Can you/anybody first answer why was Soleimani in Iraq, 2 days after the attack on the US embassy meeting the guy who orchestrated those attacks? We all know about military proxies, don’t we?

It's common knowledge top brass amongst the Iranian military have been present Iraq for years shoring up the Shia militias.

But do you not think the execution of the top Iranian General is seriously disproportionate to the protests at the embassy in which there were no deaths or serious injuries?

 

[AdamM97]

There is some news circulating on social media that Iran has sorrounded a US airbase and there is fighting going on.

Don't know if the news is valid or not though. Hopefully not.

 

[dildilpak]

It's common knowledge top brass amongst the Iranian military have been present Iraq for years shoring up the Shia militias.

But do you not think the execution of the top Iranian General is seriously disproportionate to the protests at the embassy in which there were no deaths or serious injuries?

Please read my earlier posts- i have already said that the quantum of response is rightly up for debate but we cant dispute there had to be a response after the embassy was attacked by Iranian military proxies.

 

[KingKhanWC]

That was way before they turned back on America which does not discount that 9/11 actually happened.

turned back? 911? Are you going to accept my challenge to a debate?

Ok , just explain who ISIS which was originally ISIL founded? Where and why did they change from ISIL to ISIS?

 

[AdamM97]

We have heard this before, but you forgot to add - 9/11 was a US conspiracy plus OBL never died in Abbotabad. No shortage of conspiracy theorists in this world.

The US created the conditions that led to the creation of ISIS. That's no conspiracy, it's facts.

 

[dildilpak]

I challenge you to debate this. You have heard nothing but read western media and accepted them. Did you also accept Saddam had WMD;s?

Hah, try something else - how long will you hold on to those WMDs? Some people use that excuse to believe any conspiracy theory floating in the world.

And btw, if the alternative to reading Western Media is Pakistani media, i rest my case!

 

[IMMY69]

Please read my earlier posts- i have already said that the quantum of response is rightly up for debate but we cant dispute there had to be a response after the embassy was attacked by Iranian military proxies.

America’s actions were indefensible..

That’s the bottom line.

 

[dildilpak]

The US created the conditions that led to the creation of ISIS. That's no conspiracy, it's facts.

Yes, but read the post i replied to - is there any evidence that US actually created ISIS as well as supported it?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Hah, try something else - how long will you hold on to those WMDs? Some people use that excuse to believe any conspiracy theory floating in the world.

And btw, if the alternative to reading Western Media is Pakistani media, i rest my case!

Its called independent media and self research ,try it sometimes instead of watching CNN.

So you cannot back up your claim. Ill ask again.

How was ISIL formed and why did it change its name to ISIS?

 

[AdamM97]

Yes, but read the post i replied to - is there any evidence that US actually created ISIS as well as supported it?

The US invasion of Iraq paved the way for ISIS and other militant groups to take root, partly because of the poltiical vacuum left behind, and partly because of the unemployment(as a result of the US invasion) in Sunni-dominated areas of Iraq.
As for support, the US has massive arms deals with Saudi Arabia, and those very weapons find themselves in the hands of ISIS fighters. It would be naive to think that the US isn't aware of this. The US either is okay with Saudi giving ISIS those weapons or simply doesn't care because Saudi Arabia are willing to pay huge chunks of money for American weapons.

So yes, the US does in an indirect way support ISIS and created the conditions that allowed groups like ISIS to take root.

 

[sjahmed23]

I hope there is no regime change but weakening of Iran. No doubt it has had a huge hand in destabilizing middle east and something had to give. I really don't think America will wage another war in Iran but this is a message that needed to be sent. Iran has no military or nuclear blackmail capability to deter US, it should accept its place in the food chain and stay quiet for a bit.

 

[Kroll]

Please read my earlier posts- i have already said that the quantum of response is rightly up for debate but we cant dispute there had to be a response after the embassy was attacked by Iranian military proxies.

A response to the attack which has the potential for plunging the whole region into chaos and destruction? What about the attacks on Iranian militias by American jets that killed dozens of fighters leading to the demonstration at the embassy?

Afaik, even the Americans did not call this a declaration of war.

 

[MenInG]

Iran has vowed to retaliate after its most powerful military commander was killed by a US drone strike on Baghdad airport.

"Severe revenge awaits" those behind the attack on General Qasem Soleimani, said Iran's Supreme Leader.

So what do we know about Iran's military capabilities?

How big is Iran's army?
There are an estimated 523,000 active Iranian personnel in a range of military roles, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a UK-based think tank.

This includes 350,000 in the regular army, and at least 150,000 in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

There are a further 20,000 service personnel in the IRGC's naval forces. This group operates a number of armed patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz, the site of several confrontations involving foreign-flagged tankers in 2019.

The IRGC also controls the Basij unit, a volunteer force which has helped suppress internal dissent. This unit can potentially mobilise many hundreds of thousands of personnel.

The IRGC was set up 40 years ago to defend the Islamic system in Iran and has become a major military, political and economic force in its own right.

Despite having fewer troops than the regular army, it is considered the most authoritative military force in Iran.

Spoiler

What about operations abroad?
The Quds Force, which was led by General Soleimani, conducts secret operations abroad for the IRGC and reports directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It's believed to be about 5,000 strong.

The unit has been deployed to Syria, where it advised military elements loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and armed Shia militias fighting with them. In Iraq, it has supported a Shia-dominated paramilitary force which assisted in the defeat of the Islamic State group.

However, the US says the Quds force has a wider role by providing funding, training, weapons and equipment to organisations that Washington has designated as terrorist groups in the Middle East. These include Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Economic problems and sanctions have hampered Iran's arms imports, which are relatively small compared to those of other countries in the region.

The value of Iran's defence imports between 2009 and 2018 was equivalent to just 3.5% of Saudi Arabia's imports over the same period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Most Iranian imports come from Russia, and the rest from China.

Does Iran have missiles?
Yes - Iran's missile capabilities are a key part of its military prowess, given its relative lack of air power compared with rivals such as Israel and Saudi Arabia.

A US Defense Department report describes the country's missile forces as the largest in the Middle East, comprising mainly short-range and medium-range missiles. It also says Iran is testing space technology to allow it to develop inter-continental missiles, which can travel much further.

What is the Patriot missile defence system?
However, the long-range missile programme was stalled by Iran as part of its 2015 nuclear deal with foreign countries, according to the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank. But it added that it may have resumed, given the uncertainty surrounding that deal.

In any case, many targets in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf would be within range of Iran's current short and medium-range missiles, and possibly targets in Israel.

In May last year, the US deployed a Patriot anti-missile defence system to the Middle East as tensions with Iran increased. This is meant to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.

What are its non-conventional weapons?
Despite years of sanctions, Iran has also been able to develop drone capabilities.

In Iraq, Iranian drones have been used since 2016 in the fight against IS. Iran has also entered Israeli airspace with armed drones operated from bases in Syria, according to Rusi.

In June 2019, Iran shot down a US surveillance drone, claiming it had violated Iranian airspace over the Strait of Hormuz.

The other aspect of Iran's drone programme is its willingness to sell or transfer its drone technology to its allies and proxies in the region, says Jonathan Marcus, the BBC's Defence and diplomatic correspondent.

In 2019, drone and missile attacks damaged two key Saudi oil facilities. Both the US and Saudi Arabia linked these attacks to Iran, although Tehran denied any involvement and pointed to a claim of responsibility by rebels in Yemen.

Does Iran have cyber-capabilities?
Following a major cyber-attack in 2010 on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran ramped up its cyber-space capability.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is believed to have its own cyber-command, working on commercial and military espionage.

A US military report in 2019 said Iran has targeted aerospace companies, defence contractors, energy and natural resource companies and telecommunications firms for cyber-espionage operations around the world.

Also in 2019, Microsoft said a hacker group that "originates from Iran and is linked to the Iranian government" targeted a US presidential campaign and tried to break into the accounts of American government officials.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50982743

 

[KingKhanWC]

I hope there is no regime change but weakening of Iran. No doubt it has had a huge hand in destabilizing middle east and something had to give. I really don't think America will wage another war in Iran but this is a message that needed to be sent. Iran has no military or nuclear blackmail capability to deter US, it should accept its place in the food chain and stay quiet for a bit.

What right does the US have to assassinate an Iranian commander? Are you justifying murder?

 

[WebGuru]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hello fellow Americans. Do you know this man? Did you know he was your enemy? What? Never heard of him? By the end of today you will be trained to hate him. You will be glad Trump had him assassinated. You will do as you are told. Get ready to send your sons &daughters off 2 war <a href="https://t.co/8CprNDMgTf">pic.twitter.com/8CprNDMgTf</a></p>— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMFlint/status/1213084631530196992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Mamoon]

Apart from Pakistan, Pompeo contacted the President, Prime Minister or the Foreign Office of various states.

Pakistan is the only country where he sidestepped the PM, President and the Foreign Office and contacted the Army Chief.

Then army apologists and PTI supporters claim that the Pakistani military does not run the country.

The GHQ is the foreign office of Pakistan, the COAS is the supreme leader of the country. I hope Bajwa “briefed” Imran on his discussion with Pompeo.

 

[sjahmed23]

What right does the US have to assassinate an Iranian commander? Are you justifying murder?

Sorry to burst your bubble but the world doesn't operate under what is right or wrong. It operates by who is strong and has the most leverage to get what it wants. Right now Iran has very little leverage and it was way over its head challenging US and Arabs in the middle east, so this was coming, it could've been something worse but I think when the dust settles it will be the right decision.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the world doesn't operate under what is right or wrong. It operates by who is strong and has the most leverage to get what it wants. Right now Iran has very little leverage and it was way over its head challenging US and Arabs in the middle east, so this was coming, it could've been something worse but I think when the dust settles it will be the right decision.

Great so you justify murder by might, just say it. Don't ever complain if someone mightier than you kills you or someone you love because by your moral code this is normal, way of life, fair etc. A US drone attack kills someone you love and at their funeral you can say might was right. Good lad.

Iran can ruin the planet in a week. Oil prices rose by 4% just over this one murder. Oil prices rose by 10% after the drone attack on the Saudi oil fields. Any sustained war will destroy the global economy, Iranians will survive but yanks will die because their coca cola is $10 a bottle.

 

[kk1992]

Apart from Pakistan, Pompeo contacted the President, Prime Minister or the Foreign Office of various states.

Pakistan is the only country where he sidestepped the PM, President and the Foreign Office and contacted the Army Chief.

Then army apologists and PTI supporters claim that the Pakistani military does not run the country.

The GHQ is the foreign office of Pakistan, the COAS is the supreme leader of the country. I hope Bajwa “briefed” Imran on his discussion with Pompeo.

lol, let me destroy your narrative, one more time, Army do.

Only you keep repeating that PTI supportes believe that they do not. Why? lol

 

[Pakistanian]

Apart from Pakistan, Pompeo contacted the President, Prime Minister or the Foreign Office of various states.

Pakistan is the only country where he sidestepped the PM, President and the Foreign Office and contacted the Army Chief.

Then army apologists and PTI supporters claim that the Pakistani military does not run the country.

The GHQ is the foreign office of Pakistan, the COAS is the supreme leader of the country. I hope Bajwa “briefed” Imran on his discussion with Pompeo.

Who cares, things work differently in different democracies. Pompeo himself was the CIA director and is now in charge of foreign affairs, you'd go crazy if a former ISI chief was made the Foreign Minister.

 

[kk1992]

Who cares, things work differently in different democracies. Pompeo himself was the CIA director and is now in charge of foreign affairs, you'd go crazy if a former ISI chief was made the Foreign Minister.

Have to hold on to that narrative because some NRI praised him repeating Indian narrative.

 

[sindhiboy]

salafi leaning sunnis and neo cons are celebrating his assassination, claiming he killed many sunnis in iraq and somehow was indirectly responsible for instigating yemen war

 

[globalcitizen]

Iran won’t do any direct war as everyone expects but there is going to be implications for sure.
Iran is probably going to do a warfare on economy. They will try to choke up the waterways and easy passage to oil fields. This is even more catastrophic to other countries and usa.

 

[Mamoon]

Who cares, things work differently in different democracies. Pompeo himself was the CIA director and is now in charge of foreign affairs, you'd go crazy if a former ISI chief was made the Foreign Minister.

False equivalence.

CIA is civilian. On the other hand, the ISI is mostly comprised of military officers and has been led by a 3 star general (handpicked by the COAS) since the 70s.

An ISI Chief does not have to be made the Foreign Minister because the Foreign Office of Pakistan is the GHQ.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

The bad guy narrative is not worth it. Imagine a foreign government assassinating Pompeo just because they think he’s directly responsible for the death of their people. At the end of the day, it’s US and it’s allies that are trying to screw over Iran ever since taking out Mossadek’s elected government. They just want their resources, the rest about human rights and democracy is just ** pretext. They don’t care about democracy and they sure as hell don’t care about human rights. In fact they don’t even care about American lives and the endless war is the evidence.

 

[Pakistanian]

salafi leaning sunnis and neo cons are celebrating his assassination, claiming he killed many sunnis in iraq and somehow was indirectly responsible for instigating yemen war

Uh most people that oppose the tyrant Assad and Iran's meddling in other countries aren't salafis. Like I said this guy was as bad as Saddam and shouldn't have been killed. If anything most anti-Assadist Syrians and Iraqis on social media are condemning his murder and are afraid of an all out war despite the the atrocities Soleimani, Assad, al quds etc have committed against them.

Pro-Assadists/IRGC are just as dogmatic as Salafists, you guys aren't that different.

 

[rockyboy2018]

What options does Iran have right now? Is it like hot air? or Are they going to attack any countries in the Gulf like UAE or Saudi Arabia where US bases are located?

 

[Pakistanian]

False equivalence.

CIA is civilian. On the other hand, the ISI is mostly comprised of military officers and has been led by a 3 star general (handpicked by the COAS) since the 70s.

An ISI Chief does not have to be made the Foreign Minister because the Foreign Office of Pakistan is the GHQ.

CIA isn't civilian, it's part of military's apparatus. Yes, the officers are not under the military, they don't have military titles but once you're recruited into the CIA you are not a "civilian" as is the case with people that work for the military, police, FBI etc. The point isn't what their title is or who appoints the chief, at the end of the day all intelligence agencies operate similarly and have similar objectives for their countries/military's. All I know is you would freak out if an intelligence chief (whether "civilian" or military) was made the Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

The United States is deploying nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Middle East amid increased tensions between the US and Iran following the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

The thousands of troops come as the US awaits retaliation from Iran for the air strike that killed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force leader, and as tens of thousands of anti-America demonstrators have taken to the streets in Iran to protest the loss of the general.

Spoiler

Prior to the air strike at the Baghdad airport that left Soleimani dead, the US had deployed about 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne to Kuwait, after the US Embassy compound in the Iraqi capital was stormed by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters. The thousands of additional troops are reportedly going to be deployed from the same division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, according to Defence Department officials who spoke to the Associated Press.

Shortly before ordering the troop deployment, Donald Trump justified the attack on Soleimani, saying that he had "killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more."

It remains to be seen how Iran may respond to the killing, which targeted a well known and respected military leader in the country's most elite force. But, Iran state television has attacked the killing as "the biggest miscalculation by the US" since the Second World War. "The people of the region will no longer allow Americans to stay," the network said.

"Harsh vengeance awaits the criminals that got his and other martyrs' blood on their evil hands in last night's incident," said Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.

US officials have provided disparate accounts of the threats that Americans now face in the region. The US State Department is urging Americans to leave Iraq as soon as possible, and has suspended consular operations in Baghdad amid the "heightened tensions in Iraq and the region".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, has said that the attack on Soleimani has made Americans safer, in spite of that warning from his own department. Mr Pompeo has claimed that the strike was carried out after the US learned of a "imminent threat" to Americans.

"The world's a much safer place today, and I can assure you that Americans in the region are much safer today after the demise of Qasem Soleimani," Mr Pompeo said on Friday morning during an interview with CNN.

But that is far from the consensus among American allies abroad, and major military powers in the world.

UK foreign secretary has said Britain "recognised the aggressive threat" posed by the Iranian military leader, but cautioned that "further conflict is in none of our interests." Germany, meanwhile, has also expressed concern for ongoing conflict, but provided a qualified statement that the killing was "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility," according to the Associated Press.

France, Russia and China — three permanent members of the UN security council alongside the US and UK — have all warned that the actions on Friday morning against Soleimani have made the world more dangerous.

“We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous,” Amelie de Montchalin, France’s deputy minister for foreign affairs, told RTL radio. “When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is under way.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...east-pentagon-embassy-airstrike-a9269791.html

 

[KingKhanWC]

A good piece by Mehdi Hasan. Shows how stupid the American politicians are.

In September 2015, then-Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump appeared on the syndicated radio show of conservative media star, Hugh Hewitt, to talk foreign policy.

“Are you familiar with General Suleimani?” Hewitt asked the real estate mogul from Queens.

“Yes,” said Trump, before hesitating. “Go ahead, give me a little … tell me.”

When Hewitt told Trump that Suleimani “runs the Quds Forces,” Trump responded: “I think the Kurds, by the way, have been horribly mistreated by us.”

“No, not the Kurds, the Quds Forces,” Hewitt interjected. “The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Quds Forces. The bad guys.”

“I thought you said Kurds,” a sheepish Trump replied.

Got that? Candidate Trump confused the Quds Force, an elite Iranian military unit then led by high-profile Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, with the Kurds, a high-profile ethnic group in the Middle East.

Now fast forward four years and four months to yesterday, when President Trump ordered the assassination of Suleimani from his golf course. In an official statement that misstated the name of the organization that Suleimani was in charge of, the Pentagon said the strike was “aimed at deterring future Iranian retaliation plans.”

This is not a column, however, about the consequences of the U.S. government assassinating the second-most powerful man in Iran (spoiler: they’re going to be dire!). Nor is it a column about the legality of such a deadly strike on a foreign official on foreign soil (spoiler: it’s hard to justify!).
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Rather, this is a column that allows me to express my ongoing astonishment that Donald Trump is president of the United States; my ongoing bewilderment with a world in which an unhinged, know-nothing former reality TV star and property developer, with zero background in foreign affairs or national security, may have just kicked off World War III. (From his golf course, no less.)

It’s also a column that allows me to revisit what I have long considered to be the most unforgivable take of the 2016 presidential race: “Donald The Dove, Hillary the Hawk.” That was the ridiculous headline to the New York Times column from Maureen Dowd in April 2016, in which she falsely claimed that Trump had opposed the Iraq War “like Obama,” and then credulously suggested that, in contrast to Clinton, “he would rather do the art of the deal than shock and awe.”

A reminder: Trump pulled out of the landmark Iran nuclear deal less than 18 months after assuming office. He replaced his predecessor’s nuclear diplomacy with a “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran, which had pushed the United States and the Islamic Republic to the brink of war even before this latest dangerous escalation.

Dowd was wholly, utterly, and embarrassingly wrong — as some of us tried to explain at the time. But it wasn’t just her. Plenty of other people across the political spectrum foolishly bought into the ludicrous premise that Trump would be some sort of dove, a noninterventionist, an old-fashioned isolationist.

And plenty of my colleagues in the media continue to push this deluded view. Remember: Trump has twice bombed the Assad regime in Syria; reduced Mosul and Raqqa to rubble; vetoed a congressional attempt to end U.S. involvement in the Saudi bombardment of Yemen; and overseen a fivefold increase in drone strikes throughout the region and beyond. Yet on New Year’s Eve, the New York Times still insisted on bizarrely referring to “the president’s reluctance to use force in the Middle East.”

That line, of course, hasn’t aged so well. Less than 72 hours later, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force and the deputy head of the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, are dead. Killed via drone.

The United States has now effectively declared war on Iran. This is no longer a “cold” war or a “shadow” war. It’s a war-war. And here’s what so terrifying about it: The current commander-in-chief of the U.S. military as it readies for open conflict with Tehran is the guy who last week accused Canada’s prime minister of cutting him out of a Canadian TV version of “Home Alone 2″; who regularly retweets QAnon, Pizzagate, and white nationalist accounts on Twitter; who believes that Ukraine is in possession of a nonexistent Democratic National Committee server; who thinks climate change is a Chinese hoax; who wants to use nuclear weapons to stop hurricanes; and who is willing to take a Sharpie to an official government map in order to prove he was right about the weather (when he was, in fact, 100 percent wrong).

Here’s the twist, though: There were two recent amendments to the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, in the House of Representatives that might have prevented this week’s escalation with Iran: Rep. Ro Khanna’s amendment to block funding for any military action against Iran that lacks congressional approval, and Rep. Barbara Lee’s amendment to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Both of these amendments, however, were stripped from the final NDAA that passed the House and Senate — with the approval of elected Democrats in both chambers.

Shame on those Democrats.

And God help the rest of us.

https://theintercept.com/2020/01/03...0ax6nS8VrFklGA29knaRpG0XIcH1RO5avYT2BQdQjVxWM

 

[sindhiboy]

Uh most people that oppose the tyrant Assad and Iran's meddling in other countries aren't salafis. Like I said this guy was as bad as Saddam and shouldn't have been killed. If anything most anti-Assadist Syrians and Iraqis on social media are condemning his murder and are afraid of an all out war despite the the atrocities Soleimani, Assad, al quds etc have committed against them.

Pro-Assadists/IRGC are just as dogmatic as Salafists, you guys aren't that different.

im neutral.

Every country in the region is meddling in iraq and syria, including turkey. but since turkey is sunni, they are not as hated. not to forget the saudi elephant
just pointing out the reaction by majority muslims, not saying who is right and who is wrong.

iran supporters claim suleiman weakend many pro isis groups.

if the iran-hezbollah axis is not fighting isis groups, then exactly what are they doing? why are they killing civillans? what benefit are they gaining?

Thing is there is no way of confirming who is speaking the truth and who is spreading propaganda

 

[Pakistanian]

im neutral.

Every country in the region is meddling in iraq and syria, including turkey. but since turkey is sunni, they are not as hated. not to forget the saudi elephant
just pointing out the reaction by majority muslims, not saying who is right and who is wrong.

iran supporters claim suleiman weakend many pro isis groups.

if the iran-hezbollah axis is not fighting isis groups, then exactly what are they doing? why are they killing civillans? what benefit are they gaining?

Thing is there is no way of confirming who is speaking the truth and who is spreading propaganda

Erdogan is extremely unpopular in the global media, a lot of sunnis don't like him heck he's been working with Iran to oppress Kurds.

Iran is supporting Assad, he's a mass murdering dictator. When they're not fighting ISIS they're oppressing Syrians and northern Iraqis who are mostly Sunni and want to get rid of the Assad regime.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4. Soleimani wasn't a US ally in the fight against ISIS. His complicity in Assad's mass displacement/murder of millions of Syrians (including via repeated chemical weapons attacks), and patronage of Iraq's violent Shia militias fueled the Sunni radicalism that helped spawn ISIS.</p>— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksadjadpour/status/1213162230939836416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Kroll]

The bad guy narrative is not worth it. Imagine a foreign government assassinating Pompeo just because they think he’s directly responsible for the death of their people. At the end of the day, it’s US and it’s allies that are trying to screw over Iran ever since taking out Mossadek’s elected government. They just want their resources, the rest about human rights and democracy is just ** pretext. They don’t care about democracy and they sure as hell don’t care about human rights. In fact they don’t even care about American lives and the endless war is the evidence.

Exactly, the yanks have been meddling in Iran for decades and ironically, their taking out Mossadek eventually paved the way for the Iranian revolution.

Yanks are so greedy, always wanting their cake and eat it.

 

[miandadrules]

With the elections looming expect more provocation and escalation from the States.

 

[JaDed]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hello fellow Americans. Do you know this man? Did you know he was your enemy? What? Never heard of him? By the end of today you will be trained to hate him. You will be glad Trump had him assassinated. You will do as you are told. Get ready to send your sons &daughters off 2 war <a href="https://t.co/8CprNDMgTf">pic.twitter.com/8CprNDMgTf</a></p>— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMFlint/status/1213084631530196992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Claps! Its not only imp to be righteous but also have clarity of thought, well put by him.

 

[1ManArmy]

Nothing will happen

 

[Pakistanian]

America is doubling down, fresh strikes. Iran can't do much.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-commander-iraq-state-tv-200103233605393.html

 

[Pete Rose]

For Pakistan the issue is about its border. Cannot have three hot borders, simultaneously.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Pakistan has to remain neutral at all costs.

 

[PetroDollars]

These days a war brewing before a US elections has become inevitable, this looks like a pearl harbour and US are now waiting for Iranian retaliation. If the Iranians have any senses they will wait till the elections are over and then start manoeuvring.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Nobody can defend Iraq invasion in the Bush era, but If US had withdrawn troops during ISIS occupation that too would not have gone down well, would it? What would you expect Trump or any other President to do under these circumstances?

Do what he said and concentrate on his own country. Put America First. Why do American troops need to be in Iraq or Iran? What would you think if you saw Iranian troops on American soil, or in your backyard, say Mexico?

 

[JaDed]

For Pakistan the issue is about its border. Cannot have three hot borders, simultaneously.

It’s already 3 hot.. if you meant refugee wise then its only one , there ve been multiple shelling reports between Iran and Pak too

 

[Pete Rose]

It’s already 3 hot.. if you meant refugee wise then its only one , there ve been multiple shelling reports between Iran and Pak too

It’s manageable so far compared to what would happen when the shooting starts.

 

[Mamoon]

CIA isn't civilian, it's part of military's apparatus. Yes, the officers are not under the military, they don't have military titles but once you're recruited into the CIA you are not a "civilian" as is the case with people that work for the military, police, FBI etc. The point isn't what their title is or who appoints the chief, at the end of the day all intelligence agencies operate similarly and have similar objectives for their countries/military's. All I know is you would freak out if an intelligence chief (whether "civilian" or military) was made the Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

The CIA director is appointed by the POTUS who reports directly to him, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, who are superior to the Joints Chief of Staff.

The ISI Chief is appointed by the COAS and that is why we haven’t had a non-military ISI Chief since the 1970s. Moreover, the Prime Minister, President and Minister of Defense have no real authority over the COAS.

I would not freak out if an ISI Chief is made the Foreign Minister because it is never going to happen when the Foreign Minister is the COAS himself.

Pompeo ignored Imran because he knows that he is a puppet in the PM House and the real leader is Bajwa. Don’t tell me it is not embarrassing.

 

[MenInG]

President Donald Trump said the US killed Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani "to stop a war, not to start one".

He said Soleimani's "reign of terror is over" following the strike at Iraq's Baghdad airport on Friday.

Soleimani spearheaded Iran's Middle East operations as head of the Quds Force. Iran has vowed "severe revenge" on those responsible for his death.

Spoiler

The killing marks a major escalation in tensions between Iran and the US.

US officials said 3,000 additional troops will be sent to the Middle East as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Iraqi state television said there has been another air strike in the country, 24 hours after the killing of Soleimani. However, there has been no comment on this from Washington.

An Iraqi army source told Reuters news agency that six people were killed in the fresh strike, which hit a convoy of Iraqi militia in the early hours of Saturday morning (local time).

What did President Trump say?
Speaking at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Mr Trump said of Friday's attack: "The United States military executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world Qassem Soleimani."

He said: "Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act and terminated him."

How has Iran reacted?
In a statement following Soleimani's death, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "His departure to God does not end his path or his mission, but a forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands."

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iranian ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi said that Tehran reserved the right to self-defence under international law.

How does Iraq fit into this?
Iran supports a variety of Shia militia groups in neighbouring Iraq.

Soleimani had just arrived at Baghdad airport and was travelling in a convoy alongside officials from such militia, when their cars were hit by several US missiles on Friday.

Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the strike. He commanded the Kataib Hezbollah group - also backed by Iran - which Washington blamed for a rocket attack that killed a US civilian contractor in northern Iraq last week.

Iraq is in a difficult position, as an ally both of Iran and of the US.

Thousands of US troops remain in the country to assist in the broader struggle against the Islamic State (IS) group.

However, the Iraqi government insists that the US has acted way beyond the terms of this agreement.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi labelled the missile strike as a "brazen violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a blatant attack on the nation's dignity".

Iraq's parliament will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday.

The US State Department has warned Americans in Iraq to leave "immediately".

Who was Qasem Soleimani?
The 62-year-old was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran, behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported directly to the ayatollah and Soleimani was hailed as a heroic national figure.

Under his 21-year leadership of the Quds Force, Iran bolstered Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militant groups in Lebanon; expanded its military presence in Iraq and Syria; and orchestrated Syria's offensive against rebel groups in that country's long civil war.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50989745

 

[Avicricfan]

Who cares, things work differently in different democracies. Pompeo himself was the CIA director and is now in charge of foreign affairs, you'd go crazy if a former ISI chief was made the Foreign Minister.

CIA Director is nominated by the POTUS, then the Senate has a Public hearing and after that Senate has to Vote for Confirmation.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Senseless violence.

Thank the gods that Pompeo didnot mention any calls to India and India isnt involved.

We have a huge shia population and being anti Iran isnt beneficial to us. We are already walking a tight rope due to Trump tearing up the nuclear agreement and India having to close down direct Iranian oil imports.

If Iran decides to further escalate, the entire region will go up in flames and oil prices will touch the sky.

 

[cricketjoshila]

India will do nothing. One phone call from Trump is enough to straighten up Modi.

May be North Korea or China can help. North Korea is a poor country and China will not fight other's wars. They will make some empty threats at best.

Iran is a nobody and the Mullah regime should realize it for their own good.

Likely we will stay neutral. And i hope we do.

 

[Markhor]

Erdogan is extremely unpopular in the global media, a lot of sunnis don't like him heck he's been working with Iran to oppress Kurds.

Iran is supporting Assad, he's a mass murdering dictator. When they're not fighting ISIS they're oppressing Syrians and northern Iraqis who are mostly Sunni and want to get rid of the Assad regime.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4. Soleimani wasn't a US ally in the fight against ISIS. His complicity in Assad's mass displacement/murder of millions of Syrians (including via repeated chemical weapons attacks), and patronage of Iraq's violent Shia militias fueled the Sunni radicalism that helped spawn ISIS.</p>— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksadjadpour/status/1213162230939836416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This Karim guy is talking nonsense. Firstly, the rise of ISIS and Sunni radicalism stemmed from the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the aftermath when the US Provisional Government disbanded the Iraqi Army and Baath Party creating a generation of disaffected Sunnis. Private Saudi financiers also funded Sunni militancy in order to check the influence of Iran in Iraq. Instead he gives a partial history by starting the timeline in 2011 with the Syrian Civil War.

Secondly, Sulemani was the most effective military commander in the region against ISIS. He personally led the supply effort to the Kurdish peshmerga in Erbil, and his organisation of the Shia militias helped stop the ISIS advance when they were at the gates of Baghdad itself.

Yes these Shia militias have committed atrocities but when the Iraqi army itself is so weak as proven by their pathetic performance in 2014 when they collapsed despite outnumbering ISIS, these militias were the last line of defence against a total ISIS takeover of Iraq.

Finally, Assad is a monster but who does Karim think would replace him should the regime collapse ? Newsflash it won't be a liberal nonsectarian democrat.

 

[MenInG]

Jeremy Corbyn has demanded an urgent Privy Council meeting over the US killing of Iran's top military chief as the Pentagon announced it will send 3,000 more troops to the Middle East.

The Labour leader wrote to the prime minister to ask a series of questions, including what the UK government knew ahead of the airstrike which killed Major General Qassem Soleimani.

He also asked if there was an increased terror risk in the UK and whether Boris Johnson had spoken to US President Donald Trump.

[spoiler[

Mr Corbyn also wanted to know if the UK had spoken to the UN "to discuss consequences for peace and security" and what measures had been taken to "ensure the safety of UK nationals".

He said: "Given the serious nature of the issues now faced by our country and indeed the world as a consequence of the US attack, I would welcome a prompt response to this request and stand ready to attend any briefing meeting as soon as arranged."

It is understood there are no plans to send more British troops to the region and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called for a calming of tensions from all sides.

Maj Gen Soleimani, the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East, was targeted in an attack at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.

The prime minister is currently on holiday on the private Caribbean island of Mustique with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds and Number 10 has yet to confirm when the pair are due to return to Downing Street.

But there has been criticism of the US for apparently not giving warning of the attack to the UK, which has hundreds of troops deployed in Iraq.

Mr Corbyn described the strike as an "assassination" and called on the government to stand up to the "belligerent actions" from the US.

Mr Raab issued a statement saying the government had "always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force" led by the general.

"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests," Mr Raab added.

Prominent Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who was chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the last parliament, was critical of the US for not giving the UK warning of the attack, though the government did not confirm it was not briefed in advance.

He urged the White House to "share much more closely with allies" in the future, adding that "the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other".

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said there were around 400 British troops deployed in Iraq as part of the UK's fight against the Islamic State terror group.

A further 500 personnel are based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus which flies fast jets and reconnaissance planes over Iraq and Syria, the MoD added.

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister who served as a captain in the Army, tweeted "this is big", adding: "Expect repercussions."

The Foreign Office advises British-Iranian dual nationals against all travel to Iran and for other British nationals to seek the department's advice before travelling to the nation.

British nationals risk being arbitrarily detained or arrested by Tehran, the department warned.

Meanwhile, British drivers could face higher petrol prices following the attack after oil prices spiked by 3.6% to $68.75 per barrel.

[/spoiler]

https://news.sky.com/story/jeremy-corbyn-demands-urgent-security-meeting-after-us-airstrike-11900777

 

[MenInG]

A huge crowd in Iraq's capital Baghdad is taking part in a funeral procession for the Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike on Thursday.

Soleimani was the architect of Iran's Middle East operations and Iran vowed to take "severe revenge" for his death.

The gathering in Baghdad on Saturday marked the beginning of days of mourning for Soleimani.

His body is to be returned to Iran for a funeral and burial in his home town.

The crowds in Baghdad were also there to mourn the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi who commanded the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group and effectively led the Popular Mobilisation units - an umbrella of militias in Iraq dominated by groups aligned with Iran.

Spoiler

Mourners started gathering in Baghdad from the early hours, ahead of the start of the procession, waving Iraqi and militia flags and chanting "death to America". The procession snaked though the streets, some carrying portraits of Soleimani and some of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Reports said the bodies of the Iranians would then be flown on Saturday evening to Iran, which has declared three days of mourning for the murdered general. His funeral is to be held on Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman in central Iran.

Some Iraqis, conversely, celebrated in Baghdad's streets at the news of Soleimani's death. He was accused of orchestrating violent crackdowns on peaceful pro-democracy protests there in recent months.

The priority for Iran's leaders now is to send a very strong message about how much Qasem Soleimani mattered.

He mattered in terms of being the most important military official for Iran, the most important intelligence official, one of the most important political personalities. They now want to see massive funerals, massive processions through the streets of major Iranian cities.

The aim is to solidify Qasem Soleimani's status as a martyr. It is clear from all of the signs that he already had cult hero status among his forces. They want that symbolism to live on, to make him as powerful in death as he was in life.

Fresh airstrikes in Iraq
Iraqi state television said on Friday there had been another air strike in the country, 24 hours after the killing of Soleimani. An Iraqi army source told the Reuters news agency that six people were killed in the new strike, which hit a convoy of Iraqi militia in the early hours of Saturday morning local time.

A US military spokesman denied that the American-led coalition fighting in the region was responsible.

"FACT: The Coalition @CJTFOIR did NOT conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days," said Colonel Myles Caggins III, in a post on Twitter.

The United States said it had deployed an additional three-thousand troops to the Middle East to help respond to any backlash from the strike.

Speaking at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the US president, Donald Trump said: "The United States military executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, Qassem Soleimani."

Mr Trump said Soleimani was "plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act and terminated him".

But Trump administration officials did not give any details about what planned attacks had prompted them to move quickly to kill Soleimani. Both President Barack Obama and President George Bush rejected a strike on the general as too risky.

The US state department issued a warning in the wake of the strike, advising American citizens to leave Iraq immediately via any means possible.

How did Iran react?
In a statement following Soleimani's death, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "His departure to God does not end his path or his mission, but a forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands."

Simmering US-Iranian hostilities had escalating rapidly last week after the US conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria against an Iran-backed Iraqi militia, which the blamed for an earlier rocket attack that killed a US civilian contractor. Pro-Iranian militia attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad in response.

In a letter to the UN Security Council, responding to the strike on Soleimani, Iranian ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi said that Iran reserved the right to self-defence under international law. Analysts said Iran could deploy cyber-attacks against the US, or attempt to strike US military targets or interests in the Middle East.

How does Iraq fit into this?
Iran supports a variety of Shia militia groups in neighbouring Iraq. Soleimani had just arrived at Baghdad airport and was travelling in a convoy alongside officials from such militia when their cars were hit by several US missiles.

Al-Muhandis, the Iraqi militia leader who was also killed in the strike, commanded the Kataib Hezbollah group - also backed by Iran.

Iraq now finds itself in a difficult position as an ally both of Iran and of the US. Thousands of US troops remain in the country to assist in the broader struggle against the Islamic State (IS) group. But the Iraqi government insists that the US has acted beyond the terms of this agreement.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi labelled the missile strike as a "brazen violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a blatant attack on the nation's dignity". Iraq's parliament announced that it would hold an emergency meeting on Sunday. The US State Department warned Americans in Iraq to leave "immediately".

Who was Qasem Soleimani?
The 62-year-old was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran, behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported directly to the ayatollah, and Soleimani was hailed as a heroic national figure.

He was widely considered an architect of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's war against rebels in Syria, the rise of pro-Iranian paramilitaries in Iraq, the fight against the Islamic State group, and many battles beyond.

Charismatic and often elusive, the silver-haired commander was revered by some, loathed by others, and a source of myths and social media memes. He had emerged in recent years from a lifetime in the shadows directing covert operations to achieve fame and popularity in Iran, becoming the subject of documentaries, news reports and even pop songs.

Under his 21-year leadership of the Quds Force, Iran bolstered Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militant groups in Lebanon; expanded its military presence in Iraq and Syria; and orchestrated Syria's offensive against rebel groups in that country's long civil war.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50991810

 

[Mamoon]

If the Muslim Ummah meant anything, Pakistan, Turkey and KSA would be standing with Iran and with Russia backing Iran as well, Trump would take two steps back.

Unfortunately, this is a world of mercenaries, and Pakistan would now be clearing up a few bases for the U.S. to land their forces and attack Iran from Pakistan.

What a shame.

Then we wonder why the Muslim world is weak.

 

[The Viper]

China tells Iran foreign minister that US should stop 'abusing' use of force

Spoiler

The United States should not “abuse force” and instead seek solutions through dialogue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a call with his Iranian counterpart on Saturday.

“The dangerous US military operation violates the basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence,” Wang told Javad Zarif according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry, referring to the killing in Iraq on Friday of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

A US drone strike killed Soleimani — head of the Quds Force, Iran's foreign operations arm — before dawn on Friday in Baghdad, an attack that has sparked fears of a regional war between Washington and Tehran.

Iran promised “severe revenge” in response, as a number of nations — including China — urged restraint.

“China opposes the use of force in international relations. There is no way out for military means, nor for extreme pressure,” Wang said in his Saturday call with Zarif, according to the ministry.

China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is a key partner of Tehran and major buyer of Iranian oil.

Iran, China and Russia held joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman last week and the Iranian foreign minister visited Beijing earlier this week.

China and Russia are also parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, from which US President Donald Trump withdrew in May last year.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1526250/c...ster-that-us-should-stop-abusing-use-of-force

 

[Ronaldo7]

US's acting like they're an invincible power.
The true "invincible" power was the British till the mid 19th century. Even then their empire broke up.

 

[JaDed]

China tells Iran foreign minister that US should stop 'abusing' use of force

Spoiler

The United States should not “abuse force” and instead seek solutions through dialogue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a call with his Iranian counterpart on Saturday.

“The dangerous US military operation violates the basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence,” Wang told Javad Zarif according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry, referring to the killing in Iraq on Friday of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

A US drone strike killed Soleimani — head of the Quds Force, Iran's foreign operations arm — before dawn on Friday in Baghdad, an attack that has sparked fears of a regional war between Washington and Tehran.

Iran promised “severe revenge” in response, as a number of nations — including China — urged restraint.

“China opposes the use of force in international relations. There is no way out for military means, nor for extreme pressure,” Wang said in his Saturday call with Zarif, according to the ministry.

China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is a key partner of Tehran and major buyer of Iranian oil.

Iran, China and Russia held joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman last week and the Iranian foreign minister visited Beijing earlier this week.

China and Russia are also parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, from which US President Donald Trump withdrew in May last year.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1526250/c...ster-that-us-should-stop-abusing-use-of-force

They should tell US and not Iran..

 

[JaDed]

US's acting like they're an invincible power.
The true "invincible" power was the British till the mid 19th century. Even then their empire broke up.

British weren’t really invincible they always had competition from other European nations.

France ,Spain ,Netherlands, Portugal ruled many other countries as well.

Napolean happened in early 19th century.