WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD/DUBAI (Reuters) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday tempered days of angry rhetoric and suggested Iran was “standing down” after it fired missiles at US forces in Iraq, as both sides looked to defuse a crisis over the US killing of an Iranian general.
Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to hit back after Iran’s attack on military bases housing US troops in Iraq, itself an act of retaliation for the Jan. 3 US strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
Trump said no Americans were hurt in the overnight attacks. The Pentagon said Iran had launched 16 short-range ballistic missiles, at least 11 of which hit Iraq’s al-Asad air base and one that hit a facility in Erbil but caused no major damage.
“The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent,” Trump said.
“Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world,” he said.
Trump said the United States “will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime” in response to what he called “Iranian aggression.” He offered no specifics.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressing a gathering of Iranians chanting “Death to America,” said the missile attacks were a “slap on the face” of the United States and said US troops should leave the region.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had said the strikes “concluded” Tehran’s response to the killing of Soleimani, who built up Iran’s network of proxy armies across the Middle East. He was buried in his hometown, Kerman, after days of national mourning.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” Zarif wrote on Twitter.
Influential Iraqi Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who casts himself as a nationalist rejecting both U.S. and Iranian interference in Iraq, also said the crisis Iraq was experiencing was over and he urged militia groups not to carry out attacks.
“I call on the Iraqi factions to be deliberate, patient, and not to start military actions,,” said Sadr, whom Washington has long regarded as an Iranian ally.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told CBS News in an interview the United States was receiving “encouraging intelligence that Iran is sending messages” to its allied militias not to attack U.S. targets.
But Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he and others in the military “fully expect” Shi’ite militia groups in Iraq, backed by Iran, to carry out attacks against US-led forces in Iraq and Syria.
Two rockets fell on Wednesday in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, causing no casualties, the Iraqi military said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
In a letter to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, US Ambassador Kelly Craft said the killing of Soleimani was self-defense and vowed to take additional action “as necessary” in the Middle East to protect US personnel and interests.
The United States also stood “ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran,” to maintain peace and security, she said.
U.S. Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans said administration officials had not provided evidence in classified briefings to back up Trump’s assertion that Soleimani had posed an “imminent” threat to the United States.
House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the Democratic-led chamber would vote on a resolution intended to limit his military actions against Iran.
NUCLEAR DEAL
Trump’s address contrasted with his recent harsh rhetoric. The Republican, who was impeached in December and faces an election in November, had vowed to respond “disproportionately” if Iran retaliated strongly against Soleimani’s killing.
On Wednesday, Trump again vowed he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and urged world powers to quit a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran that Washington abandoned in 2018 and work for a new deal, an issue at the heart of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran has rejected new talks.
There was no immediate reaction from Iranian officials to Trump’s comments. The semi-official Fars news agency described the US president’s remarks as a “big retreat from threats.”
Soon after Wednesday’s attacks, Trump had said on Twitter that “All is well!” and Washington was assessing damage.
That tweet and the comment by Iran’s foreign minister eased some concerns about a wider war and calmed jittery financial markets. US stock prices hit record highs before paring their gains, while world oil prices, after an early spike, fell about 4%.
US and European government sources said they believed Iran had deliberately sought to avoid US military casualties in its missile strikes to prevent an escalation.
But an Iranian army spokesman denied “foreign media reports” suggesting there was some kind of coordination between Iran and the United States before the attack to evacuate bases.
Iranian television reported an official in the supreme leader’s office as saying the attacks were the “weakest” of several retaliation scenarios. It quoted another source saying Iran had lined up 100 other potential targets.
After the Iranian missile attack, state television showed footage of the Soleimani burial, with hundreds of people chanting: “God is greatest” when the strikes were announced over loudspeakers. “His revenge was taken and now he can rest in peace,” Iranian television said. Hours after the Iranian missile strike, a Ukrainian airliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board. A Canadian security source said Western intelligence agencies’ initial assessment was that the plane was not brought down by a missile
https://92newshd.tv/us-iran-both-appear-to-signal-desire-to-avoid-further-conflict/#.XhdVvRtS-M8
WASHINGTON (92 News) – The US has said that it is ready for unconditional and serious negotiations with Iran following the countries’ exchange of hostilities.
In a letter to the United Nations (UN), the US justified the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani as an act of self-defence. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at airbases housing US forces in Iraq, causing no casualties. It also told the UN it was an act of self-defence.
It is pertinent to mention here that Gen Soleimani was widely regarded as Iran’s second most powerful man. As head of the Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force, he was an architect of Iranian policy in the Middle East.
In a letter to the UN Security Council (UNSC), US ambassador to UN Kelly Craft said the US was ready to negotiate with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime.
The killing of Soleimani was justified, the letter argued, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which requires states to immediately report to the Security Council any measures taken in exercising the right of self-defence.
The US would take additional action as necessary in the Middle East to protect its personnel and interests, the letter added. But Iran’s UN ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi said the US offer of talks was unbelievable while the US continued to enforce harsh economic sanctions against Iran.
A day earlier, while addressing to the nation, President Donald Trump said that no US troops hurt in Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq. The US president maintained that the Iranian missiles had not harmed any US troops stationed there and damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff.
It is noteworthy that in the early today morning, Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing US troops in Iraq saying it was in retaliation for the killing in a US drone strike of powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on January 3.
“No US army troops were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” he explained.
“Our great US forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world,” Trump said.
“The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it,” the US president said.
He also urged world powers to quit a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran that Washington withdrew from in 2018 and work for a new deal, an issue that has been at the heart of rising tension between Washington and Tehran. Iran has rejected new talks.
During his address, the US president was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and military officers.
On Wednesday morning, Iran had launched a missile attack on US-led forces in Iraq in retaliation for the US drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.
After the Irani strike, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran’s missile attacks on US targets in Iraq were “a slap on the face” for the United States and it should now pull its forces out of the region.
https://92newshd.tv/us-ready-for-serious-negotiations-with-iran/#.XhdVnxtS-M8
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Wednesday Iran appeared to be "standing down" after missile strikes on US troop bases in Iraq that resulted in no American or Iraqi deaths.
"All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything," he said in an address to the nation from the White House.
"Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. No American or Iraqi lives were lost."
Trump announced the United States would be imposing "additional punishing sanctions" on Iran but made no mention of possible retaliation to Tuesday’s missile attacks -- seen by experts as a measured first response by Iran to the killing of General Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike.
https://dunyanews.tv/en/World/527021-Trump-says-Iran-appears-standing-down
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Tehran’s missile attacks on US targets in Iraq were “a slap on the face” for the United States and it should now pull its forces out of the region.
Iran said it launched more than dozen missiles against US targets on Wednesday in retaliation for the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike last week.
“Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region,” Khamenei said in a televised speech, describing the missile strikes as a “slap on the face” for Washington.
“This region will not accept the presence of America,” he said, renewing Tehran’s long-standing demand for Washington to withdraw its forces.
Khamenei also ruled out any resumption of talks with Washington on a 2015 nuclear deal. “Talks and sitting for negotiations are the beginning of (US) intervention,” he said.
The United States withdrew from the pact between Tehran and world powers in 2018 and has since imposed tough new sanctions, driving down Iran’s oil exports and hammering its economy.
ran has been scaling back its commitments to the nuclear pact.
Khamenei also said the United States was trying to remove Lebanon’s Iranian-aligned movement Hezbollah in an effort to help Israel.
https://92newshd.tv/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-says-missile-strike-a-slap-on-the-face-for-us/#.XhYIVRtS-M8
TEHRAN (92 News) – Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting a base from which cowardly armed attack against their citizens and senior officials were launched.
In a tweet after the missile attack on Wednesday, he said: “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
On Tuesday, Tehran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from Iranian territory against at least two Iraqi facilities hosting US-led coalition personnel at about 1:30 a.m. local time, the US military said on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump said in a tweet late on Tuesday that an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way and that he would make a statement on Wednesday morning.
“All is well!” Trump said in the Twitter post.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed they fired the missiles to retaliate for last week’s killing of Qassem Soleimani, according to a statement on state TV.
The statement advised the United States to withdraw its troops from the region to prevent more deaths and warned US allies including Israel not to allow attacks from their territories.
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement that the bases targeted were al-Asad air base and another facility in Erbil, Iraq. “As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region.”
Trump, who visited the al-Asad air base in December 2018, was briefed on reports of the attack and was monitoring the situation, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived at the White House following news of the attack. It was unclear what response, if any, the United States was planning.
Hours earlier on Tuesday, Esper said the United States should anticipate retaliation from Iran over Friday’s killing in Iraq of Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force.
“I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form,” he told a news briefing at the Pentagon, adding that such retaliation could be through Iran-backed proxy groups outside of Iran or “by their own hand.”
“We’re prepared for any contingency. And then we will respond appropriately to whatever they do.”
https://92newshd.tv/iran-took-proportionate-measures-in-self-defense-iranian-fm-tweets-after-missile-attack/#.XhYIcBtS-M8
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that “all is well” following a retaliatory Iranian missile attack on US-led forces and that he would make a statement on the situation on Wednesday morning.
Iran said it had launched the missile attack on two Iraqi military bases hosting US-led coalition personnel as retribution for the US killing last week of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.
“All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!” Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.
“I will be making a statement tomorrow morning,” he added.
https://92newshd.tv/trump-says-all-is-well-following-iran-missile-strike/#.XhYIeBtS-M8
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday directed to Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia and US to convey peace message.
In his tweet, PM Khan informed that he has instructed FM Qureshi to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US and meet with respective foreign ministers, and the US secretary of state.
The prime minister said that he has asked Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to contact relevant military leaders to convey a clear message.
“I have asked FM Qureshi to visit Iran, KSA & USA to meet with respective foreign ministers, Secretary of State; & COAS Gen Bajwa to contact relevant military leaders to convey a clear message: Pakistan is ready to play it’s role for peace but it can never again be part of any war,” Imran Khan tweeted.
I have asked FM Qureshi to visit Iran, KSA & USA to meet with respective foreign ministers, Secretary of State; & COAS Gen Bajwa to contact relevant military leaders to convey a clear message: Pakistan is ready to play it’s role for peace but it can never again be part of any war
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 8, 2020
On Wednesday morning, Iran had launched a missile attack on US-led forces in Iraq in retaliation for the US drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.
Tehran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from Iranian territory against at least two Iraqi facilities hosting US-led coalition personnel at about 1:30 a.m. local time, the US military said on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump said in a tweet late on Tuesday that an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way and that he would make a statement on Wednesday morning. “All is well!” Trump said in the Twitter post.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed they fired the missiles to retaliate for last week’s killing of Qassem Soleimani, according to a statement on state TV.
Earlier today, PM Imran Khan clarified that Pakistan won’t be part of any conflict in the region. He said while talking with Oman’s Minister for Endowment and Religious Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdullah Assalami. He also expressed deep concern over the evolving situation in the region.
PM Khan has called for immediate measures for de-escalation in the Middle East and Gulf region. He underlined the imperative of avoiding any further escalation.
Stressing that war is in nobody’s interest, the prime minister recalled that Pakistan has suffered greatly due to earlier regional conflicts. He clarified that Pakistan would not be part of any conflict in the region.
The premier also recalled his earlier efforts for facilitation of contacts between the United States and Iran as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia for peaceful resolution of differences and disputes.
https://92newshd.tv/pm-directs-fm-to-visit-iran-ksa-us-to-convey-peace-message/#.XhYIiRtS-M8
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday clarified that Pakistan won’t be part of any conflict in the region.
He said while talking with Oman’s Minister for Endowment and Religious Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdullah Assalami. He also expressed deep concern over the evolving situation in the region.
PM Khan has called for immediate measures for de-escalation in the Middle East and Gulf region. He underlined the imperative of avoiding any further escalation.
Stressing that war is in nobody’s interest, the prime minister recalled that Pakistan has suffered greatly due to earlier regional conflicts. He clarified that Pakistan would not be part of any conflict in the region.
The premier also recalled his earlier efforts for facilitation of contacts between the United States and Iran as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia for peaceful resolution of differences and disputes.
Pakistan will always be partner for peace
PM Khan stressed that Pakistan would always be a partner for peace and would continue playing its role to defuse tensions, prevent a conflict, and preserve peace.
He also highlighted the dire human rights and humanitarian situation arising from the inhuman lockdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) for over five months and noted the discriminatory policies of the BJP government against minorities, especially Muslims.
Urges int’l community to take urgent steps to address this situation
He stressed that the international community has to take urgent steps to address this situation. Noting the traditionally close fraternal ties between Pakistan and Oman, Imran Khan expressed the desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields.
He extended cordial greetings and best wishes for ruler of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said.
https://92newshd.tv/pakistan-wont-be-part-of-any-conflict-in-region-clarifies-pm/#.XhYImBtS-M8
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