U.S. says 'terminated' top Iran general to thwart attack on Americans

By Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Aboulenein and Idrees Ali

 

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the U.S. Military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran promised vengeance after a U.S. air strike in Baghdad on Friday killed Qassem Soleimani, Tehran's most prominent military commander and the architect of its growing influence in the Middle East.

 

Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, was regarded as the second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

 

The overnight attack, authorised by U.S. President Donald Trump, was a major escalation in a "shadow war" in the Middle East between Iran and the United States and American allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

 

A senior Trump administration official said the general had been planning imminent attacks on U.S. personnel across the Middle East. Democratic critics said the order by the Republican president was reckless and that he had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.

 

"Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act and terminated him," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. "We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war."

 

Trump said the United States was not seeking regime change in Iran, but that Tehran must end what he called its aggression in the region, including the use of proxy fighters.

 

A top U.S. general cautioned that the plot by Soleimani could still happen despite his death. U.S. officials said Washington was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Middle East, joining roughly 750 sent to Kuwait this week.

 

The attack, which also killed a top Iraqi militia commander and adviser to Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, divided Iraqi opinion.

 

Many condemned the attacks, seeing Soleimani as a hero for his role in defeating the Islamic State militant group.

Others voiced approval, saying Soleimani and Muhandis had backed the use of force against unarmed anti-government protesters last year and established militias that demonstrators blame for many of Iraq's social and economic woes.

 

However, many Iraqis criticised Washington for killing the men on Iraqi soil and possibly plunging Iraq into another war.

 

Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of paramilitary groups said that early on Saturday in Baghdad, air strikes targeting its fighters hit a convoy carrying its medics near Taji stadium.

 

An Iraqi army source said six people were killed and three wounded. State TV reported that it was carried out by the United States. There was no immediate confirmation from Washington.

 

There had been a sharp increase in U.S.-Iranian hostilities last week when pro-Iranian militia attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad following a deadly U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said with Friday's attack Washington had breached Iraq's sovereignty and violated a deal for keeping U.S. troops there.

 

INTELLIGENCE OPERATION

 

Two Iraqi security sources said the attack followed an intelligence operation in which inside sources recruited by the CIA revealed the timing of Soleimani's arrival in Baghdad and his convoy leaving the airport.

 

Khamenei said harsh revenge awaited the "criminals" who killed Soleimani and his death would redouble resistance against the United States and Israel. He called for three days of national mourning.

 

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the attack was an act of "international terrorism" and Iran would take legal action to hold Washington to account.

 

U.S. officials said Soleimani was killed in a drone strike. Iran said he died in an attack by U.S. helicopters.

 

Israel put its army on high alert and U.S. allies in Europe including Britain, France and Germany voiced concerns.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was disappointed by the reaction of Washington's European allies. "The Europeans haven’t been as helpful as I wish that they could be," Pompeo told Fox News. "The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well," he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "maximum restraint."

 

In a letter to Guterres and the U.N. Security Council, Iran said it reserved the right under international law to self-defence and that Soleimani's killing "by any measure, is an obvious example of State terrorism."

 

Iran's top Arab foe, Saudi Arabia, urged restraint. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Pompeo on a phone call that the killing "grossly violates international law" and would lead to serious consequences for regional peace and stability, according to a ministry statement.

 

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately, and dozens of U.S. citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern city of Basra left. The evacuations would not affect output and exports, Iraqi officials said.

 

Oil prices jumped more than $3 a barrel over concern about disruption to Middle East supplies.

 

'STICK OF DYNAMITE'

 

The United States and its allies have suspended training of Iraqi forces due to the increased threat they face, the German military said in a letter seen by Reuters.

 

Chas Freeman, a retired U.S. diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said he could think of no other example of the United States openly killing a senior foreign government official during peacetime. "This is unprecedented," Freeman said.

 

Former Vice President Joe Biden, a top contender among Democrats seeking to run against Trump in the November presidential election, said Trump had "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."

 

After being briefed by U.S. officials in Washington, House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a Democrat, questioned why Trump chose to act against Soleimani now, when previous administrations decided such a step would increase the risks in the region.

 

"If the administration has a broader strategy, they have yet to articulate it," Schiff told reporters.

 

As chief of the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards foreign arm, Soleimani had a main role in fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Over two decades he was at the forefront of projecting Iran's military influence across the Middle East and survived several assassination attempts by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies, acquiring celebrity status at home and abroad.

President Hassan Rouhani said the killing would stiffen Iran's resistance to the United States.

 

In Tehran, the capital, hundreds of demonstrators marched towards Khamenei's compound to convey their condolences.

 

"I am not a pro-regime person but I liked Soleimani. He was brave and he loved Iran, I am very sorry for our loss," said housewife Mina Khosrozadeh in Tehran.

 

Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998, after which he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria's government and Shi’ite militia groups in Iraq.

 

In Soleimani's home town, Kerman, people wearing black gathered in front of his father's house, weeping as they listened to a recitation from the Koran.

 

"Heroes never die. It cannot be true. Qassem Soleimani will always be alive," said Mohammad Reza Seraj, a teacher.

 

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Aboulenein and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey, Lisa Lambert, Mary Milliken and Arshad Mohammed in Washington, Parisa Hafezi and Michael Georgy in Dubai, Maha El Dahan in Baghdad, Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem, Polina Ivanova in Moscow, Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Writing by Samia Nakhoul, Frances Kerry and Daniel Wallis; Editing by William Maclean, Giles Elgood, Grant McCool and Leslie Adler)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-04

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"...A senior Trump administration official said the general had been planning imminent attacks on U.S. personnel across the Middle East..."

 

Evidence of an imminent attack? Crystal clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, evidence of an imminent attack?

 

Sorry, Dude. You lost the benefit of the doubt a long time ago.

 

Put up, quickly!

 

 

 

 

We'll see about that. 

 

Deer in the headlights.

 

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...A senior Trump administration official said the general had been planning imminent attacks on U.S. personnel across the Middle East..."

 

Evidence of an imminent attack? Crystal clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, evidence of an imminent attack?

 

Sorry, Dude. You lost the benefit of the doubt a long time ago.

 

Put up, quickly!

 

 

 

 

Neverminds this premise of whether it will to thwart new attacks or not, Iran has misrad the US and Trump big time and took every chance to belittle and to provoke the ire the US on many occasions with Ayatollah Khamenei ridiculing Trump saying 'there's nothing you can do to us'... well guess what...

‪Trump has created a very dangerous situation. The US has not won a war since 1945. A big US military is not a smart military. No wars won in 75 years! Iran can harm the US in untold ways. Dumb and dumber.‬ He ended nothing. It is just beginning. 

Here come the swinging dicks....

Duly elected President and Commander-in-chief Donald J. Trump has once again put Americans first with his decisive action.

 

Thank you, Sir!

 

 

5 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

‪Trump has created a very dangerous situation. The US has not won a war since 1945. A big US military is not a smart military. No wars won in 75 years! Iran can harm the US in untold ways. Dumb and dumber.‬ He ended nothing. It is just beginning. 

Overstated. Neither has Russia or China. For that matter, Iran/Persia hasn't won a "war" since it plundered India 280 years ago. Everybody is overrated. The only tough guys out there are wearing sandals, carrying AK 47s, haven't washed in months, hide in caves, and eat goats.

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

‪Trump has created a very dangerous situation. The US has not won a war since 1945. A big US military is not a smart military. No wars won in 75 years! Iran can harm the US in untold ways. Dumb and dumber.‬ He ended nothing. It is just beginning. 

Did you read the article? 

 

"We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war."

 

7 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Overstated. Neither has Russia or China. For that matter, Iran/Persia hasn't won a "war" since it plundered India 280 years ago. Everybody is overrated. The only tough guys out there are wearing sandals, carrying AK 47s, haven't washed in months, hide in caves, and eat goats.

Like Trump, continue to under estimate Iran at your own peril. 

8 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

Did you read the article? 

 

"We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war."

 

That is perhaps the most ridiculous thing Trump has ever said. And it could not possibly be further from the truth. 

50 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Neverminds this premise of whether it will to thwart new attacks or not, Iran has misrad the US and Trump big time and took every chance to belittle and to provoke the ire the US on many occasions with Ayatollah Khamenei ridiculing Trump saying 'there's nothing you can do to us'... well guess what...

Wah! You do not get this at all, do you?

 

Yes, the US struck Iran. BFD. They could have done it at literally anytime in the last few decades. Any time at all.

 

The questions before us are; 

 

Was this strike based on an imminent threat?

 

Will it lead to some sort of diplomacy between the US and Iran?

 

Was it a good idea?

 

Was this strike based on an imminent threat? As I noted in my post, the US needs to provide, and quickly, clear and overwhelming evidence that a threat was imminent and that the drone strike was required to thwart it. The days where the US in general had the proverbial 'Benefit of the Doubt' died in George W. Bush's war in Iraq where the US claimed it had evidence of WMD but didn't. Further, Trump himself has been caught lying well over 12,000 times since he became President and no one, not ally or friend, will ever believe him on his word alone. The US MUST demonstrate an imminent threat that required this response.

 

Will it lead to some sort of diplomacy between the US and Iran? I seriously do not see how. And, if it does not lead to some kind of diplomacy, what was the point? To demonstrate that the US can kill people? As Von Clausewitz noted, "War is continuation of policy by other means"; If other means do not arise, it was simply an act of violence. Or, as the two countries are not in a state of war, terrorism. 

 

BTW, a question to Trump supporters. If the US is justified in killing an Iranian General when there is not a State of War between the two nations, are Iranians justified in killing... say the Head of the US Army? The Navy? The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs? a Senator or two? Something to think about, eh?

 

Was it a good idea? That remains to be seen, but unless it leads to some sort of diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, then 'No'. As above, the US has demonstrated on many occasions the extraordinary power of it's military forces, but does anyone think that Iran will be cowed by this? Seriously? Does anyone think that there will not be retaliation, and lots of it? Does anyone think that this will lead to Peace? So, unless there is some kind of follow-up which gets to a resolution of issues, then it was merely an act of violence. And, pure acts of violence do not solve anything, they merely set up the next act of violence in the cycle.

 

The reaction above reminds me of the reaction to Trump's N Korea policy. As the US could have blown this guy away years ago, it is the same that the US could have met with Kim Young Fat Boy years ago. In both cases, there must be some sort of follow up that leads to a resolution of the problem in some way, and that has not occurred in either case. And, if it does not occur, then it was a waste of time and did more damage than good.

 

I loathe Trump, but am willing to give him some 'rope' to pursue unorthodox solutions to difficult problems (North Korea and Iran), but his current course makes me think that things will just get worse rather than better.

 

One final point. I genuinely cannot stand the Iranian regime; I think it is evil, oppressive, malignant and I would love to see the end of it. But, Trump's actions make me slightly sympathetic to them, and I hate Trump for that.

 

 

27 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

‪Trump has created a very dangerous situation. The US has not won a war since 1945. A big US military is not a smart military. No wars won in 75 years! Iran can harm the US in untold ways. Dumb and dumber.‬ He ended nothing. It is just beginning. 

Gee, maybe Pelosi ought to get those Articles of Impeachment over to the Senate pronto!  Gotta get Trump out now!  ????????

25 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

That is perhaps the most ridiculous thing Trump has ever said. And it could not possibly be further from the truth. 

Of course not.

Haven't you been following him for the past 3 years?

Fox news and Trump are not about the truth, but manipulation and deflection.

That said, I like many things he has done especially my 50%+ stock portfolio increase since he got elected.

 

 

 

 

"To twart attacks on Americans"... okay

I suppose indirectly this is true, as all Americans in Iraq have been advised to get out of there ASAP.

 Trump wants to get US out of Middle East. Walk out or thrown out, result the same. I imagine even Kurdish areas up North not such a hospitable place since Trump threw Kurds under the bus. "You didn't have our backs, so we will now turn our backs on you"?

 

In the next few days don't sit or stand next to an american for your own safety !!

Why not just deny entry (to Europe and U.S.) to anyone from the Middle East, and move out all the non-believers ? They seem to be doing a wonderful job of wiping each other out without any outside help ????

Now we know why Drone Boys are so found of Rocket Men.

18 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

In the next few days don't sit or stand next to an american for your own safety !!

You could add 10 years to that. They dont forget infidels.

...i daresay there are more 'unthwarted' generals in the wings.

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

senior Trump administration official said the general had been planning imminent attacks on U.S. personnel across the Middle East.

Show the evidences. We feel numb with all his lies that we just can’t believe any words from him or his officials. 

Good!!  We Americans, specifically The United States of America, have 444 reasons for eradicating Iran from Earth. 

 

Mr. President, Please nuke Iran!   

 

Thank you Sir for your service.  

1 hour ago, phantomfiddler said:

Why not just deny entry (to Europe and U.S.) to anyone from the Middle East, and move out all the non-believers ? They seem to be doing a wonderful job of wiping each other out without any outside help ????

Federal judges in the USA say POTUS can not deny entry to them. Of course the judges neighborhoods aren't gonna be targets of terrorists.

18 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Show the evidences. We feel numb with all his lies that we just can’t believe any words from him or his officials. 

I know several have asked for  this.  And no one has to take it on faith.  Fair enough to have doubts.  But don't hold your breath on seeing anything anytime soon.  Their sources for that intel might be put at risk if they show the information. 

 

Bottom line is it won't be shown.  Heck, with the number of leaks coming out of the Democrat offices intent on damaging this president he might keep it from congress.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

‪Trump has created a very dangerous situation. The US has not won a war since 1945. A big US military is not a smart military. No wars won in 75 years! Iran can harm the US in untold ways. Dumb and dumber.‬ He ended nothing. It is just beginning. 

Nonsensical statement. It's like complaining about the lack of Zeppelin service between Germany and the USA.  You should ask  Kuwaitis if Gulf War I was a success.  Hint: they are Kuwaitis, not Iraqis now. Next time you see a South Korean, ask the person if they think the UN mandated  police action was worth it, or if they would prefer to be slave labour of the north.

 

You are advocating that the USA cower and allow a tyrannical brutal regime to do as it please. The murderer who's demise you are bemoaning was responsible for untold suffering and more importantly, was targeting US nationals. The Iranians just got a wake up call. I was watching the Tehran parade on al-jazeera yesterday and was amused to see two floats pass, each labeled "Down with Israel", Down with  USA" go by. Seriously, who writes that type of sh*t? That's the mentality of the ayotollahs and you expect the USA to keep  letting these wackos walk all over them?  The Iranians have been directing attacks against the US in Iraq for years and refused multiple requests to stop. Now they have been told again.  let the Iranians try something. Bring it on.

2 hours ago, zydeco said:

Overstated. Neither has Russia or China. For that matter, Iran/Persia hasn't won a "war" since it plundered India 280 years ago. Everybody is overrated. The only tough guys out there are wearing sandals, carrying AK 47s, haven't washed in months, hide in caves, and eat goats.

Virginians?

34 minutes ago, gaikhao said:

Nonsensical statement. It's like complaining about the lack of Zeppelin service between Germany and the USA.  You should ask  Kuwaitis if Gulf War I was a success.  Hint: they are Kuwaitis, not Iraqis now. Next time you see a South Korean, ask the person if they think the UN mandated  police action was worth it, or if they would prefer to be slave labour of the north.

 

You are advocating that the USA cower and allow a tyrannical brutal regime to do as it please. The murderer who's demise you are bemoaning was responsible for untold suffering and more importantly, was targeting US nationals. The Iranians just got a wake up call. I was watching the Tehran parade on al-jazeera yesterday and was amused to see two floats pass, each labeled "Down with Israel", Down with  USA" go by. Seriously, who writes that type of sh*t? That's the mentality of the ayotollahs and you expect the USA to keep  letting these wackos walk all over them?  The Iranians have been directing attacks against the US in Iraq for years and refused multiple requests to stop. Now they have been told again.  let the Iranians try something. Bring it on.

 

Why the hell has the US got to get involved at all? because the US says its a tyrannical and brutal regime? The US is 15,000 KM away <deleted> just leave the area alone. How the hell anyone can point the finger at Iran and call them a Tyrannical and brutal regime with a straight face when looking at the current state of Iraq, Syria, etc. And say it at the same time as cozying up with Saudia Arabia!! Its hypocritical and complete nonsense.

 

I dont know why the west just dont let them blow each other into oblivion. Its been proved time and time again that sending in troops etc is not successful, so why do they keep on doing it? Just stay out of it.

 

And someone on the 1st page of this thread justifying an assassination because he called DT some rude names.... LOL.

1 hour ago, gaikhao said:

Nonsensical statement. It's like complaining about the lack of Zeppelin service between Germany and the USA.  You should ask  Kuwaitis if Gulf War I was a success.  Hint: they are Kuwaitis, not Iraqis now. Next time you see a South Korean, ask the person if they think the UN mandated  police action was worth it, or if they would prefer to be slave labour of the north.

Remind us why there are two Koreas in the first place...?

Well, I suppose starting a war is probably an effective, if over the top, way of avoiding or distracting attention from impeachment processes. release or refusal to release tax returns and a variety of other matters.

 

If you are an American of military age, perhaps you should cultivate some "bone spurs". I understand that they are quite an effective way of avoiding being called up!