Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner", Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday (January 3).

Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-qasem-soleimani-271974">Who is Qasem Soleimani?</a>

The commander was killed in an overnight air strike on a car convoy near Baghdad International Airport.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an "imminent attack" that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East. Democratic critics called the Republican president reckless and said he had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.

Speaking on State TV, Zarif said "we will not be involved in the US' smear campaigns and their blackmailing. We will give a proper response in any manner and time, we will, as stated by the Supreme Leader."

Khamenei earlier 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. 
&nbsp;

Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner", Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday (January 3).

Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner", Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday (January 3). Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Also read: Who is Qasem Soleimani? The commander was killed in an overnight air strike on a car convoy near Baghdad International Airport. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an "imminent attack" that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East. Democratic critics called the Republican president reckless and said he had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region. Speaking on State TV, Zarif said "we will not be involved in the US' smear campaigns and their blackmailing. We will give a proper response in any manner and time, we will, as stated by the Supreme Leader." Khamenei earlier 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.

Iran will respond to Soleimani killing 'any time, in any manner': Foreign Minister Zarif

Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the elite force in Iran was killed in a US airstrike on January 3. It seems like the U.S. is not quite finished with its operations in West Asia. Reports have claimed that the U.S. launched fresh airstrikes on the northern part of Baghdad targeting a militia convoy. US President Donald Trump also said that the General Qasem Soleimani plotted attacks in Delhi & London, now the reign of his terror is over. #Iraq #IraqAirStrike #US #IranGeneral #Soleimani #QasemSoleimani

What will be the consequences of Iran's General Qasem Soleimani's killing?

Sentiments of sadness, revenge were seen on the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as they bid adieu to Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed on Friday in US drone attack.&nbsp;

Soleimani, the leader of Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards', was a much-revered figure in the region. He was killed yesterday along with nine others in a pre-dawn attack on Baghdad international airport, including Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qasem-soleimanis-killing-what-options-does-iran-have-to-avenge-top-commanders-assassination-272107">Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination</a>
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani funeral" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21cd5f50-8ac9-4892-afe6-9caa447658dd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WZ4sW59C.jpg" />
Iraqi political leaders, including caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and clerics, attended the mass procession to honour the slain commander. &nbsp;

The coffins were first brought to Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad. The mourners chanted "Death to America!" and called for "revenge".

The mourners were dressed in black clothes and carried portraits of Iranian and Iraqi leaders.&nbsp;
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani funeral" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcc57dc0-1275-477e-ac36-9d8717fe393a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/VIw22Cbm.jpg" />
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-accuses-europeans-of-not-being-helpful-after-us-strikes-272098">Soleimani killing: US reaches out to allies, Pompeo says Europeans aren't being 'helpful'</a>

The crowd went near the Green Zone, the high-security district which includes government offices and foreign embassies, including America's.&nbsp;

The remains will be taken to Shiite holy city of Najaf before reaching Iran, which has declared three days of mourning.&nbsp;

Earlier most of the countries asked all parties to act with restraint even though, the drone strike was praised by US-ally Israel.&nbsp;

"This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," UN chief said.&nbsp;

The Iraqi prime minister also said that US action would "spark a devastating war".

However, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened "severe revenge" for the US-action, and vowed that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped".&nbsp;

The US, on the other hand, is approaching allies of Middle East and elsewhere to gather support. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said that he Europeans were not as "helpful" as they could be after the drone strike.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Sentiments of sadness, revenge were seen on the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as they bid adieu to Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed on Friday in US drone attack.

Sentiments of sadness, revenge were seen on the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as they bid adieu to Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed on Friday in US drone attack. Soleimani, the leader of Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards', was a much-revered figure in the region. He was killed yesterday along with nine others in a pre-dawn attack on Baghdad international airport, including Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Also read: Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination Iraqi political leaders, including caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and clerics, attended the mass procession to honour the slain commander. The coffins were first brought to Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad. The mourners chanted "Death to America!" and called for "revenge". The mourners were dressed in black clothes and carried portraits of Iranian and Iraqi leaders. Also read: Soleimani killing: US reaches out to allies, Pompeo says Europeans aren't being 'helpful' The crowd went near the Green Zone, the high-security district which includes government offices and foreign embassies, including America's. The remains will be taken to Shiite holy city of Najaf before reaching Iran, which has declared three days of mourning. Earlier most of the countries asked all parties to act with restraint even though, the drone strike was praised by US-ally Israel. "This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," UN chief said. The Iraqi prime minister also said that US action would "spark a devastating war". However, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened "severe revenge" for the US-action, and vowed that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped". The US, on the other hand, is approaching allies of Middle East and elsewhere to gather support. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said that he Europeans were not as "helpful" as they could be after the drone strike.

Chants of 'Death to America' as Iraqis mourn death of Iranian commander Soleimani

The killing of Iranian military leader Qassim Soleimani proves the point: The United States has perfected the art of strengthening Iranian hardliners fuelled by an apparently ingrained misreading of Iranian politics and strategy sustained over decades.

It also suggests that the Trump administration has walked into a trap in which spiralling tension between the United States and Iran is likely to be played out on Iranian rather than US terms.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-gather-in-baghdad-to-mourn-soleimani-others-killed-in-us-airstrike-272067">Thousands gather in Baghdad to mourn Soleimani, others killed in US airstrike</a>

Iran moved last year away from its initial strategic patience response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Islamic republic’s nuclear program and the imposition of harsh economic sanctions to a strategy of gradual escalation.

Iran is banking on the assumption that taking the United States to the brink of yet another Middle Eastern war will ultimately persuade the Trump administration to return to the negotiating table. It’s a high-risk gamble that so far has produced results.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qasem-soleimanis-killing-what-options-does-iran-have-to-avenge-top-commanders-assassination-272107">Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination</a>

Last week’skilling of an American contractor on an Iraqi military base constituted Iran’s latest chess move.

It sparked a US military strike against an Iranian-backed militia, the subsequent killing of Mr Soleimani and the leader of the militia, Abdul Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the targeting of a militia convoy.

The Iranian move led to the siege of the US embassy in Iraq that evoked images of the humiliating 1975 evacuation of the US mission in Saigon towards the end of the Vietnam war and the 444-day occupation of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979.

It also has put at risk the future of US forces in Iraq, seventeen years after US forces toppled Saddam Hussein and US$1 trillion later. Iraq’s parliament is about to discuss moves to remove foreign forces from the country.

“A humiliating departure for the US from Iraq now seems inevitable,” said International Crisis Group Iran expert Ali Vaez.

Pro-Iranian militias are counting on the fact that they are Iraqis with close ties to the Iraqi security establishment, which they expect will exclude them from the moves that would primarily target the United States.

Iraq’s influential Shiite leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has so far limited himself to calling for restraint in the wake of Mr Soleimani’s killing. Yet, Mr Al-Sistani could prove to be the player who definitively sways the pendulum.

“How long before Ayatollah Sistani issues a fatwa (religious opinion) asking US troops to leave?” Mr. Vaez asked.

In a similarly humbling development, Iraq, long a primary venue for an ongoing US-Iranian proxy war, has become in the wake of Mr Soleimani’s death a no-go zone for Americans with the Trump administration urging US citizens to leave immediately to avoid becoming targets.

Earlier, an attack in September on two key Saudi oil facilities, widely believed to have been instigated by Iran, coupled with US President Donald J. Trump’s hesitant response to the assault and the earlier downing of a US drone by Iran, persuaded Saudi Arabia to tone down its rhetoric and explore ways of reducing tension with Iran.

The spectre of a Saudi Iranian rapprochement was put on hold with the eruption in recent months of anti-government protests in Lebanon and Iraq that threatened to throw a monkey wrench into Iran’s strategy of exerting regional influence through proxies.

While it is likely to remain on hold amid the escalating tension, it has not been taken off the table.

Earlier, the United Arab Emirates reached out to Iran after the Islamic republic was sought to have instigated attacks on tankers off the Emirati coast.

The “sequence of events shows that, thus far, the Iranian strategy of calculated counter-escalation is working… By escalating on its own, Iran forced a number of key players to change their cost-benefit calculus,” said Eldar Mamedov, an advisor to the social-democrats in the European parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

While that may be a positive development in and of itself, it also means that regional US allies, with the exception of Israel that wholeheartedly endorsed the killing of Mr Soleimani, are likely to be more circumspect in their support of the US amid escalating tensions.

Already, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have called for restraint in the wake of Mr Soleimani’s death.

Mr Soleimani’s killing has widened the opening for a tit-for-tat war in which Iran has the advantage of being a master of asymmetric warfare and at playing in grey areas.

Amid massive speculation about how it will respond to the killing, Iran is likely to take its time and strike out of the left field, potentially prompting an American response that again risks playing into Iranian hands.

“The Iranians will definitely respond, but not in a way that triggers an all-out war, which they know they would lose,” said Iran expert Dina Esfandiary.

In a further indication of US misreading of the tea leaves, the killing of Mr Soleimani threatens to amount to a gift of God for Iranian hardliners who are now expected to win next month’s parliamentary election in Iran.

A hardline victory would spotlight the United States’ repeated shooting of an own goal by adopting policies that undermine its own long-standing aim of persuading Iran to moderate its policies and tone down its revolutionary rhetoric.

Rather than provide incentives, like with the 2015 nuclear accord, US policy has more often than not reinforced perceptions in Tehran that the United States’ real goal was regime change.

Mr Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton reinforced those perceptions in response to Mr Soleimani’s killing: &nbsp;“Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran,” he tweeted.

US policy prompted Iran to adopt a defence and security policy that compensated for the Islamic republic’s intrinsic weakness by emphasizing the very things the United States has long wanted to see change. These include Iran’s successful use of proxies across the Middle East.

At the bottom line, the strengthening of Iranian hardliners not only undermines US policy goals but also risks putting the United States in difficult, if not impossible and at times humiliating positions, and sucking it into a conflict for which it is ill-equipped.

Said political anthropologist Negar Razavi: “The US foreign policy establishment has collectively created a culture of expert impunity when it comes to Iran, which has contributed in no small part to the unstable and dangerous policy conditions we see under Trump today.”

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The killing of Iranian military leader Qassim Soleimani proves the point: The United States has perfected the art of strengthening Iranian hardliners fuelled by an apparently ingrained misreading of Iranian politics and strategy sustained over decades.

The killing of Iranian military leader Qassim Soleimani proves the point: The United States has perfected the art of strengthening Iranian hardliners fuelled by an apparently ingrained misreading of Iranian politics and strategy sustained over decades. It also suggests that the Trump administration has walked into a trap in which spiralling tension between the United States and Iran is likely to be played out on Iranian rather than US terms. Also read: Thousands gather in Baghdad to mourn Soleimani, others killed in US airstrike Iran moved last year away from its initial strategic patience response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Islamic republic’s nuclear program and the imposition of harsh economic sanctions to a strategy of gradual escalation. Iran is banking on the assumption that taking the United States to the brink of yet another Middle Eastern war will ultimately persuade the Trump administration to return to the negotiating table. It’s a high-risk gamble that so far has produced results. Also read: Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination Last week’skilling of an American contractor on an Iraqi military base constituted Iran’s latest chess move. It sparked a US military strike against an Iranian-backed militia, the subsequent killing of Mr Soleimani and the leader of the militia, Abdul Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the targeting of a militia convoy. The Iranian move led to the siege of the US embassy in Iraq that evoked images of the humiliating 1975 evacuation of the US mission in Saigon towards the end of the Vietnam war and the 444-day occupation of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979. It also has put at risk the future of US forces in Iraq, seventeen years after US forces toppled Saddam Hussein and US$1 trillion later. Iraq’s parliament is about to discuss moves to remove foreign forces from the country. “A humiliating departure for the US from Iraq now seems inevitable,” said International Crisis Group Iran expert Ali Vaez. Pro-Iranian militias are counting on the fact that they are Iraqis with close ties to the Iraqi security establishment, which they expect will exclude them from the moves that would primarily target the United States. Iraq’s influential Shiite leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has so far limited himself to calling for restraint in the wake of Mr Soleimani’s killing. Yet, Mr Al-Sistani could prove to be the player who definitively sways the pendulum. “How long before Ayatollah Sistani issues a fatwa (religious opinion) asking US troops to leave?” Mr. Vaez asked. In a similarly humbling development, Iraq, long a primary venue for an ongoing US-Iranian proxy war, has become in the wake of Mr Soleimani’s death a no-go zone for Americans with the Trump administration urging US citizens to leave immediately to avoid becoming targets. Earlier, an attack in September on two key Saudi oil facilities, widely believed to have been instigated by Iran, coupled with US President Donald J. Trump’s hesitant response to the assault and the earlier downing of a US drone by Iran, persuaded Saudi Arabia to tone down its rhetoric and explore ways of reducing tension with Iran. The spectre of a Saudi Iranian rapprochement was put on hold with the eruption in recent months of anti-government protests in Lebanon and Iraq that threatened to throw a monkey wrench into Iran’s strategy of exerting regional influence through proxies. While it is likely to remain on hold amid the escalating tension, it has not been taken off the table. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates reached out to Iran after the Islamic republic was sought to have instigated attacks on tankers off the Emirati coast. The “sequence of events shows that, thus far, the Iranian strategy of calculated counter-escalation is working… By escalating on its own, Iran forced a number of key players to change their cost-benefit calculus,” said Eldar Mamedov, an advisor to the social-democrats in the European parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. While that may be a positive development in and of itself, it also means that regional US allies, with the exception of Israel that wholeheartedly endorsed the killing of Mr Soleimani, are likely to be more circumspect in their support of the US amid escalating tensions. Already, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have called for restraint in the wake of Mr Soleimani’s death. Mr Soleimani’s killing has widened the opening for a tit-for-tat war in which Iran has the advantage of being a master of asymmetric warfare and at playing in grey areas. Amid massive speculation about how it will respond to the killing, Iran is likely to take its time and strike out of the left field, potentially prompting an American response that again risks playing into Iranian hands. “The Iranians will definitely respond, but not in a way that triggers an all-out war, which they know they would lose,” said Iran expert Dina Esfandiary. In a further indication of US misreading of the tea leaves, the killing of Mr Soleimani threatens to amount to a gift of God for Iranian hardliners who are now expected to win next month’s parliamentary election in Iran. A hardline victory would spotlight the United States’ repeated shooting of an own goal by adopting policies that undermine its own long-standing aim of persuading Iran to moderate its policies and tone down its revolutionary rhetoric. Rather than provide incentives, like with the 2015 nuclear accord, US policy has more often than not reinforced perceptions in Tehran that the United States’ real goal was regime change. Mr Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton reinforced those perceptions in response to Mr Soleimani’s killing: “Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran,” he tweeted. US policy prompted Iran to adopt a defence and security policy that compensated for the Islamic republic’s intrinsic weakness by emphasizing the very things the United States has long wanted to see change. These include Iran’s successful use of proxies across the Middle East. At the bottom line, the strengthening of Iranian hardliners not only undermines US policy goals but also risks putting the United States in difficult, if not impossible and at times humiliating positions, and sucking it into a conflict for which it is ill-equipped. Said political anthropologist Negar Razavi: “The US foreign policy establishment has collectively created a culture of expert impunity when it comes to Iran, which has contributed in no small part to the unstable and dangerous policy conditions we see under Trump today.” (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The killing of Qasem Soleimani will lead to the strengthening of Iranian hardliners

After the US drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis on Friday, Washington is disappointed with European reaction as it is reaching out to its allies around the world in order to gain support.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is spearheading the campaign and called officials worldwide over the support of the strikes that was praised by US President Donald Trump and US-ally Israel. However, most of the countries have warned that the latest strike would trigger regional tensions.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-cannot-afford-another-gulf-war-says-un-chief-after-us-kills-iran-general-271986">'World cannot afford' another Gulf war, says UN chief after US kills Iran general</a>

"I spent the last day and a half, two days, talking to partners in the region, sharing with them what we were doing, why we were doing it, seeking their assistance. They've all been fantastic," the secretary of state said in an interview with Fox News.

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Discussed with Iraqi President Salih <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDonalTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonalTrump</a>’s decision to take defensive action to protect U.S. personnel and interests abroad, and I reaffirmed that the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1213207450293288960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences</a>

"Frankly, the Europeans haven't been as helpful as I wish that they could be," he said. Pompeo also said that talks with US-allies, other than the ones in Middle East, were&nbsp;not "quite as good".&nbsp;

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and I discussed the decisive defensive action <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> employed in Baghdad to protect American lives. I emphasized that de-escalation is the United States’ principal goal.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1213141648475119621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Following the killing, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called on all involved parties "to exercise maximum restraint and show responsibility in this crucial moment."&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron urged those involved to act with "restraint" and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called for de-escalation.&nbsp;

"The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well," Pompeo said.

Pompeo's twitter timeline was filled with the calls from leaders across the world.&nbsp;

The leaders with whom Pompeo talked include Iraqi President Barham Salih and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the US Secretary of State reached out to senior government officials of most of the countries, but in Pakistan's case, Pompeo called upon Army Chief Qamar Bajwa.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

After the US drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis on Friday, Washington is disappointed with European reaction as it is reaching out to its allies around the world in order to gain support.

After the US drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis on Friday, Washington is disappointed with European reaction as it is reaching out to its allies around the world in order to gain support. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is spearheading the campaign and called officials worldwide over the support of the strikes that was praised by US President Donald Trump and US-ally Israel. However, most of the countries have warned that the latest strike would trigger regional tensions. Also read: 'World cannot afford' another Gulf war, says UN chief after US kills Iran general "I spent the last day and a half, two days, talking to partners in the region, sharing with them what we were doing, why we were doing it, seeking their assistance. They've all been fantastic," the secretary of state said in an interview with Fox News. Discussed with Iraqi President Salih @realDonalTrump’s decision to take defensive action to protect U.S. personnel and interests abroad, and I reaffirmed that the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020 × Also read: The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences "Frankly, the Europeans haven't been as helpful as I wish that they could be," he said. Pompeo also said that talks with US-allies, other than the ones in Middle East, were not "quite as good". Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and I discussed the decisive defensive action @realDonaldTrump employed in Baghdad to protect American lives. I emphasized that de-escalation is the United States’ principal goal. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020 × Following the killing, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called on all involved parties "to exercise maximum restraint and show responsibility in this crucial moment." French President Emmanuel Macron urged those involved to act with "restraint" and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called for de-escalation. "The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well," Pompeo said. Pompeo's twitter timeline was filled with the calls from leaders across the world. The leaders with whom Pompeo talked include Iraqi President Barham Salih and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Interestingly, the US Secretary of State reached out to senior government officials of most of the countries, but in Pakistan's case, Pompeo called upon Army Chief Qamar Bajwa.

Soleimani killing: US reaches out to allies, Pompeo says Europeans aren't being 'helpful'

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson may feel the heat of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/soleimanis-killing-how-was-the-operation-carried-out-and-what-are-the-consequences-272077">Iran's top commander Qasem Soleimani's killing</a> and cut short his ongoing Caribbean vacation.&nbsp;

British media reports that the UK was not intimated by the US on Baghdad Airport airstrikes that killed Iran Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom has around 400 troops stationed in the Middle East and works along with the American forces in the region.&nbsp;

In Johnson's absence, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab issued a statement on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-contributed-to-plotting-terror-attacks-in-new-delhi-london-trump-272027">Soleimani's killing</a> and called for de-escalation, adding that further conflict is not in UK's interest.&nbsp;

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"We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests," Raab said as reported by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, opposition Labour Party's leader Jeremy Corbyn slammed the United States for Soleimani's killing calling it "belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States".&nbsp;

UK PM Johnson has been enjoying a vacation in the Caribbean ahead of the resumption of Parliament's winter recess.

&nbsp;(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson may feel the heat of Iran's top commander Qasem Soleimani's killing and cut short his ongoing Caribbean vacation. British media reports that the UK was not intimated by the US on Baghdad Airport airstrikes that killed Iran Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson may feel the heat of Iran's top commander Qasem Soleimani's killing and cut short his ongoing Caribbean vacation. British media reports that the UK was not intimated by the US on Baghdad Airport airstrikes that killed Iran Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3. The United Kingdom has around 400 troops stationed in the Middle East and works along with the American forces in the region. In Johnson's absence, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab issued a statement on Soleimani's killing and called for de-escalation, adding that further conflict is not in UK's interest. × "We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests," Raab said as reported by news agency Reuters. Meanwhile, opposition Labour Party's leader Jeremy Corbyn slammed the United States for Soleimani's killing calling it "belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States". UK PM Johnson has been enjoying a vacation in the Caribbean ahead of the resumption of Parliament's winter recess. (With inputs from Reuters)

Soleimani's killing: UK PM Boris Johnson under pressure to cut short Caribbean vacation? 

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad.&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier described Qaani as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimanis-death-will-be-avenged-at-right-place-and-time-irans-top-security-body-271993">Soleimani's death will be avenged at 'right place and time': Iran's top security body</a>

Watch the video here:

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Qaani's elevation to the top post comes at a time when the tension between Washington and Iran escalated after US's drone strike on Friday that killed Soleimani. So let's look at who is Iran's new head of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences</a>

Qaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 when Soleimani became the Force's main commander. He is one of the most influential Iranian figures in Syria where the country backs President Bashar al-Assad.&nbsp;

The new commander is also known for his strong criticism on Israel.&nbsp;

He had also warned US President Donald Trump in 2017 that any military action against Iran would "be regretted". Qaani has repeatedly lashed out at Trump and US-alles and made inflammatory statements in the past.&nbsp;

"We have buried many ... like Trump and know how to fight against America," Qaani had earlier said in 2017, quoted Iranian media.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier described Qaani as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq. Also read: Soleimani's death will be avenged at 'right place and time': Iran's top security body Watch the video here: Qaani's elevation to the top post comes at a time when the tension between Washington and Iran escalated after US's drone strike on Friday that killed Soleimani. So let's look at who is Iran's new head of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Also read: The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences Qaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 when Soleimani became the Force's main commander. He is one of the most influential Iranian figures in Syria where the country backs President Bashar al-Assad. The new commander is also known for his strong criticism on Israel. He had also warned US President Donald Trump in 2017 that any military action against Iran would "be regretted". Qaani has repeatedly lashed out at Trump and US-alles and made inflammatory statements in the past. "We have buried many ... like Trump and know how to fight against America," Qaani had earlier said in 2017, quoted Iranian media. (with inputs from agencies)

Man who replaces Soleimani: Meet Iran's Quds Force's new chief, Esmail Qaani

Soleimani's killing: How was the operation carried out and what are the consequences?

Thousands of mourners gathered in Baghdad on Saturday ahead of a funeral procession for Iran's slain military commander Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and others killed in a Friday US&nbsp;air strike in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-new-strikes-on-iran-backed-group-kill-six-272010">Iraq</a>.

Friday's attack on Baghdad airport, authorised by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-contributed-to-plotting-terror-attacks-in-new-delhi-london-trump-272027">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>, was a major escalation in a "shadow war" in the Middle East between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-respond-to-soleimani-killing-any-time-in-any-manner-foreign-minister-zarif-272013">Iran and the United States</a> and American allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Soleimani was Tehran's most prominent military commander and the architect of its growing influence in the Middle East. Muhandis was the deputy commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella grouping of paramilitary groups.

The PMF are planning an elaborate funeral procession for both men and the others who died, starting in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, moving towards the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala and ending in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf.

Mourners started gathering in Baghdad's streets from the morning ahead of the start of the procession, waving Iraqi and militia flags in a sombre atmosphere.

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Earlier on Saturday, Iraq's PMF had said further air strikes near camp Taji had killed six people and critically wounded three. The attacks hit a convoy of medics, not senior leaders, the grouping said.

Iraqi state television had said they were US&nbsp;air strikes but the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State later denied any involvement, saying it did not conduct any recent attacks near the camp north of Baghdad.

"FACT: the coalition ... did not conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days," a coalition spokesman said on Twitter.

US-Iranian hostilities have been playing out in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militia attacked the US&nbsp;Embassy in Baghdad following a deadly U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.

Friday's attack divided Iraqi opinion.

Many condemned the strikes, 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.

Many Iraqis criticised Washington for killing the men on Iraqi soil and possibly plunging Iraq into another war.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Thousands of mourners gathered in Baghdad on Saturday ahead of a funeral procession for Iran's slain military commander Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and others killed in a Friday US air strike in Iraq.

Thousands of mourners gathered in Baghdad on Saturday ahead of a funeral procession for Iran's slain military commander Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and others killed in a Friday US air strike in Iraq. Friday's attack on Baghdad airport, authorised by US 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. Soleimani was Tehran's most prominent military commander and the architect of its growing influence in the Middle East. Muhandis was the deputy commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella grouping of paramilitary groups. The PMF are planning an elaborate funeral procession for both men and the others who died, starting in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, moving towards the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala and ending in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf. Mourners started gathering in Baghdad's streets from the morning ahead of the start of the procession, waving Iraqi and militia flags in a sombre atmosphere. × Earlier on Saturday, Iraq's PMF had said further air strikes near camp Taji had killed six people and critically wounded three. The attacks hit a convoy of medics, not senior leaders, the grouping said. Iraqi state television had said they were US air strikes but the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State later denied any involvement, saying it did not conduct any recent attacks near the camp north of Baghdad. "FACT: the coalition ... did not conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days," a coalition spokesman said on Twitter. US-Iranian hostilities have been playing out in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militia attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad following a deadly U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis. Friday's attack divided Iraqi opinion. Many condemned the strikes, 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. Many Iraqis criticised Washington for killing the men on Iraqi soil and possibly plunging Iraq into another war.

Thousands gather in Baghdad to mourn Soleimani, others killed in US airstrike

US&nbsp;citizens working for foreign&nbsp;oil&nbsp;companies in the southern&nbsp;Iraqi city of Basra were leaving the country on Friday, the&nbsp;oil&nbsp;ministry said after&nbsp;a&nbsp;US&nbsp;airstrike&nbsp;killed a top&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-surge-after-us-strike-kills-iranian-general-271775">Iranian&nbsp;commander</a> in&nbsp;Iraq.

Hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;the killing of&nbsp;Iranian&nbsp;Quds&nbsp;Force&nbsp;leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-commander-of-quds-force-to-replace-soleimani-irans-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-271905">Qassem Soleimani</a> and&nbsp;Iraqi militia commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-head-of-group-irans-quds-force-head-qasem-soleimani-killed-hashed-al-shaabi-271762">Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis</a>, who was with him, the&nbsp;US&nbsp;embassy in Baghdad urged all its citizens to&nbsp;leave&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;immediately.

Iraqi officials said the evacuation would not affect&nbsp;oil&nbsp;operations, production or exports from the country, the second-biggest producer in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-tumble-ahead-of-opec-meeting-global-stocks-fall-265363">Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries</a> with the output of about 4.62 million barrels per day (BPD), according to a&nbsp;survey of OPEC output.

Oil&nbsp;company sources told&nbsp;earlier on Friday that dozens of foreign&nbsp;workers&nbsp;were expected to fly out of the country. A&nbsp;witness saw a number of foreigners, including&nbsp;US&nbsp;citizens, queuing at Basra&nbsp;airport and described the atmosphere as relaxed.

Some were travelling to Dubai on&nbsp;airline FlyDubai and others were checking in at the Qatar&nbsp;Airways counter.

A spokesman for BP, which operates the giant Rumaila&nbsp;oil&nbsp;field near Basra, declined to comment. Rumaila produced around 1.5 million BPD as recently as April.

Italian energy group Eni&nbsp;said the Zubair&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protesters-lock-down-oil-field-call-strike-270855">oil&nbsp;field</a>, which produced around 475,000 BPD in 2018, was "proceeding regularly", adding it was closely monitoring the situation.

US&nbsp;major Exxon Mobil declined to comment on whether it was evacuating staff but said the production "continues&nbsp;normally" at its West Qurna 1&nbsp;oil&nbsp;concession in the south of the country near the&nbsp;Iranian&nbsp;border.

"We continue to watch the situation closely," a spokeswoman said.

Exxon removed around 60 foreign staff from West Qurna last May&nbsp;after&nbsp;attacks near its&nbsp;oil&nbsp;facilities. The employees returned about two weeks later&nbsp;after&nbsp;the government agreed to provide additional security.

Schlumberger, which also works in southern&nbsp;Iraq, is evaluating the security situation, a spokesman said, declining to comment on the&nbsp;US&nbsp;call for citizens to evacuate. Last year it won a two-year contract to drill 40 wells for Basra&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;Co.

Ian Bryant, chief executive of Canadian&nbsp;oilfield company Packers Plus, said he was "more concerned than ever" about the safety of their staff in&nbsp;Iraq, adding he was worried that&nbsp;US, British and Canadian citizens might get caught up in any unrest.

Genel, an&nbsp;oil&nbsp;producer in the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern&nbsp;Iraq, said its operations were continuing normally. It did not comment on any staff movements.

Gulf Keystone Petroleum, which also operates in Kurdistan, said "while these events are taking place ... Gulf Keystone is closely monitoring the situation and operations at (the Shaikan field) are carrying on as per usual".

US citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern Iraqi city of Basra were leaving the country on Friday, the oil ministry said after a US airstrike killed a top Iranian commander in Iraq.

US citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern Iraqi city of Basra were leaving the country on Friday, the oil ministry said after a US airstrike killed a top Iranian commander in Iraq. Hours after the killing of Iranian Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was with him, the US embassy in Baghdad urged all its citizens to leave Iraq immediately. Iraqi officials said the evacuation would not affect oil operations, production or exports from the country, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries with the output of about 4.62 million barrels per day (BPD), according to a survey of OPEC output. Oil company sources told earlier on Friday that dozens of foreign workers were expected to fly out of the country. A witness saw a number of foreigners, including US citizens, queuing at Basra airport and described the atmosphere as relaxed. Some were travelling to Dubai on airline FlyDubai and others were checking in at the Qatar Airways counter. A spokesman for BP, which operates the giant Rumaila oil field near Basra, declined to comment. Rumaila produced around 1.5 million BPD as recently as April. Italian energy group Eni said the Zubair oil field, which produced around 475,000 BPD in 2018, was "proceeding regularly", adding it was closely monitoring the situation. US major Exxon Mobil declined to comment on whether it was evacuating staff but said the production "continues normally" at its West Qurna 1 oil concession in the south of the country near the Iranian border. "We continue to watch the situation closely," a spokeswoman said. Exxon removed around 60 foreign staff from West Qurna last May after attacks near its oil facilities. The employees returned about two weeks later after the government agreed to provide additional security. Schlumberger, which also works in southern Iraq, is evaluating the security situation, a spokesman said, declining to comment on the US call for citizens to evacuate. Last year it won a two-year contract to drill 40 wells for Basra Oil Co. Ian Bryant, chief executive of Canadian oilfield company Packers Plus, said he was "more concerned than ever" about the safety of their staff in Iraq, adding he was worried that US, British and Canadian citizens might get caught up in any unrest. Genel, an oil producer in the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, said its operations were continuing normally. It did not comment on any staff movements. Gulf Keystone Petroleum, which also operates in Kurdistan, said "while these events are taking place ... Gulf Keystone is closely monitoring the situation and operations at (the Shaikan field) are carrying on as per usual".

US oil workers leave Iraq after air strike on Iranian leader Qassem Soleimani

Iran has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with an attack on the U.S. embassy in Iraq by pro-Iranian militiamen following a U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia. #Iran #US #DonaldTrump

US confirms it kills Soleimani; Trump tweets American flag

Iran vows revenge after US drone strikes kill Quds forces' Chief Gen. Soleimani. #SoleimaniKilling #US #WorldWar #USAirStrikes

Gravitas: Soleimani's killing: Will it trigger a world war?

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #IranianGeneral #US #Soleimani #Iran #Iraq #SoleimaniKilling

Gravitas: US kills top Iranian general Soleimani

Iranian Major-General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-attack-on-baghdad-airport-top-iran-commander-killed-271756">Qassem Soleimani</a>, head of the elite Quds Force, and&nbsp;Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an airstrike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an&nbsp;Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for&nbsp;Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-carries-out-airstrikes-against-militant-groups-in-iraq-syria-270892">Strikes</a> had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad on Thursday, US&nbsp;officials told sources. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to give any further details.

Watch: Reports - Air strike on Baghdad airport, 8 killed including Iranian Major-General Soleimani

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&nbsp;

Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday that three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of&nbsp;Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests."

The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people.
<img alt="Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces" data-caption="Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces was also killed in the airstrikes conducted by the US airstrike which killed Iranian Quds Forces commander Qassem Soleimani." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aee4b6d8-1e77-4abd-8835-569336dc06dd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_7.jpg" />
Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and&nbsp;Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad.

He was instrumental in the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check.

He survived several <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-foiled-plot-to-kill-quds-force-chief-qassem-suleimani-253699">assassination attempts</a> against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

Soleimani's Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in&nbsp;Iraq.

Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and Shi’ite militia groups in&nbsp;Iraq.

Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an airstrike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an airstrike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters. "The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias. Strikes had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad on Thursday, US officials told sources. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to give any further details. Watch: Reports - Air strike on Baghdad airport, 8 killed including Iranian Major-General Soleimani × Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday that three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests." The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people. Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad. He was instrumental in the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check. He survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades. Soleimani's Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in Iraq. Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and Shi’ite militia groups in Iraq.

Iran's Soleimani and Iraq's Muhandis killed in US air strike - militia spokesman

Iran and Iraq fought almost a decade long war in the 1980s, in which the leaked document of Iranian intelligence was accessed by US media. It revealed a complex tale of Tehran's influence over Iraq.

The key takeaway from the leaked document reveal that Tehran&nbsp;not only&nbsp;infiltrated Iraqi intelligence but it also has close ties with the current Iraqi Prime minister Abdul Mahdi and several Kurdish leaders.

The document clearly indicates that Iran had influenced&nbsp;some leadership changes taken by Iraq and even it paid American agents to switch their sides. Not only this, but it also released that Iran keeps a close eye on US soldiers.

Quds force head major general Qasem Soleimani had visited Iraq frequently, as the evolutionary guards. Quds force plays an important role in the country.

How did Iran come to wield so much influence over Iraq?&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
It all started after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the lack of a post-invasion plan by the US which left a vacuum that was soon filled by Iran. Both countries have a massive population of Shia. 
&nbsp; 
During the rule of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, all the power was handed over to the Sunni minorities. After the invasion, the US disbanded the Sunni dominated Iraqi Baath party. Later the Sunni elite got engaged in terror activities to trigger the authorities. While facing the threats of sectarian violence Iraqi Shias began to see Iran as their protector. 
&nbsp; 
The entry of ISIS was followed by US reinforcement in Iraq but at the same time, Washington was not able to fully counter Tehran's influence. One of the leaked cables says that Iraq when faced the threats by ISIS, allowed Iran to use its airspace to transport weapons to Syria.

Iran and Iraq fought almost a decade long war in the 1980s, in which the leaked document of Iranian intelligence was accessed by US media. It revealed a complex tale of Tehran's influence over Iraq.

Iran and Iraq fought almost a decade long war in the 1980s, in which the leaked document of Iranian intelligence was accessed by US media. It revealed a complex tale of Tehran's influence over Iraq. The key takeaway from the leaked document reveal that Tehran not only infiltrated Iraqi intelligence but it also has close ties with the current Iraqi Prime minister Abdul Mahdi and several Kurdish leaders. The document clearly indicates that Iran had influenced some leadership changes taken by Iraq and even it paid American agents to switch their sides. Not only this, but it also released that Iran keeps a close eye on US soldiers. Quds force head major general Qasem Soleimani had visited Iraq frequently, as the evolutionary guards. Quds force plays an important role in the country. How did Iran come to wield so much influence over Iraq? It all started after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the lack of a post-invasion plan by the US which left a vacuum that was soon filled by Iran. Both countries have a massive population of Shia. During the rule of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, all the power was handed over to the Sunni minorities. After the invasion, the US disbanded the Sunni dominated Iraqi Baath party. Later the Sunni elite got engaged in terror activities to trigger the authorities. While facing the threats of sectarian violence Iraqi Shias began to see Iran as their protector. The entry of ISIS was followed by US reinforcement in Iraq but at the same time, Washington was not able to fully counter Tehran's influence. One of the leaked cables says that Iraq when faced the threats by ISIS, allowed Iran to use its airspace to transport weapons to Syria.

Leaked document: Iran influences Iraqi PM Abdul Mahdi, American agents and entire Iraq

In this segment of WION Dispatch, our correspondent Daniele Pagani and journalist Amichan Stein explain- How Iran and Iraq respond to US airstrike on Iraq. #Iraq #IraqAirStrike #US #IranGeneral #Soleimani

WION Dispatch: How Iran and Iraq respond to US airstrike on Iraq

In this segment of WION Dispatch, our correspondent Simon Marks explains - what all went behind the scenes of US airstrikes on Iraq? #Iraq #IraqAirStrike #US #IranGeneral #Soleimani

WION Dispatch: What all went behind the scenes of US airstrikes on Iraq?

After the surprise airstrike by the USA that has killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, tensions have substantially spiked between the two nations. So much so that the possibility of war has been brought up by media, creating fear among the masses globally. Specifically, India should take special heed of this because of our economic and oil interests, at a time when we are undergoing rapid growth in multiple sectors. &nbsp;

Approximately 66 per cent of the crude oil imported in the last financial year was from the Middle East. With India, this dependent, a major war in the Middle East region; an area that is in any case, conflict-prone, will substantially increase consumer prices. Geographically speaking, the Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is the planet’s most important oil checkpoint because of the large volumes of oil that flows through the strait. Furthermore, the Persian Gulf holds a significant percentage of the world’s oil reserves and production. This gulf shares coastlines with Iran, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. &nbsp;

US-Iran Tensions &nbsp;

The USA and Iran share a rocky relationship that dates back to the Islamic Revolution, 1979 that overthrew the Shah, an American ally and brought Iran under a regime that was incompatible to the USA. America placed sanctions on Iran in the 1980s and 1990s in order to put a check on Iran’s regional activities. Heavy economic sanctions were again placed on Iran when President Trump pulled out of the JCPOA in 2018. The pact was signed under the Obama administration in 2015. The JCPOA basically aimed to halt Iran’s nuclear agenda. For Trump, the JCPOA was not enough. Trump said that the pact provisions would still let Iran attain nuclear weapons. Additionally, the American President has made multiple statements expressing that Iran’s nuclear issues, missile program and military expansionism (which garners support from non-state actors) undermine US national interests. &nbsp;

India-Iran Relations&nbsp;

Bilateral relations are strong via economic, cultural and historical links. India and Iran look to each other as key actors in maintaining stability in the region. In 2016, PM Modi and Iran President Rouhani strengthened relations even further through strong partisan engagements. In terms of trade, energy is the most important between India and Iran. Moreover, the development and operationalisation of the Chabahar Port also ties the two nations together. India sees Chabahar Port as a key transport and trade corridor with Afghanistan and Central Asia.&nbsp;

The Impact on India’s Economy&nbsp;

Continued tensions between America and Iran Is detrimental to India’s economy. Because oil prices would heavily increase, India would have to spend much more on oil. This means that less money would be allocated to integral areas such as affordable housing, healthcare and infrastructure and development. Since the death of General Soleimani, oil prices have already surged four per cent in India. This increasing rise in crude oil will also undesirably affect India’s energy supply. It will result in an increase in India’s exports and deplete foreign exchange reserves. There is a more than definite probability that the value of the rupee will go down. And at a time where India’s economy is facing temporary slow growth, this could have severe consequences to national development and infrastructure. &nbsp;

Tensions also affect approximately eight million Indians who live and work in West Asia. India currently receives a whopping $70 billion in remittances from Indian nationals. If eight million are affected by tensions, this means India stands to lose $40 billion in remittances overall. That’s over 57 per cent of received money instantly gone! &nbsp;

The Impact on India’s Foreign Policy &nbsp;

Rising US-Iran tensions massively hinders India’s foreign policy agenda. Development of the Chabahar Port would be halted or, in grave circumstances, ceased altogether. &nbsp;

On one hand, India and Iran carry good relations and cooperate on trade, oil and development. India, Iran and Afghanistan had also recently signed a trilateral agreement to increase trade, collaboration and transit. On the other hand, India carries very strong relations with America as well. We even have a preferred military partnership with the USA. Notably, in 2019, India had to stop importing Iranian oil to comply with US sanctions on Iran to appease Trump’s continued cooperation at a preferred level. &nbsp;

Conclusion&nbsp;

The United States of America and Iran are incredibly strategic for India; a rapidly developing country. Prime Minister Modi has actively worked to meaningfully improve India’s relationship with America over the past few years. India cannot lose such an important ally. Simultaneously, however, our energy security is heavily dependant on Iran. If the USA and Iran cannot work this out and war becomes a stark reality, India faces severe drawbacks to growth, progress and relations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

What is the best plan of action? PM Modi should step up and play an active role in any capacity to ensure that these two countries can somehow work it out without resorting to a full-scale conflict. A hand of help should be offered to both Iran and the USA to help in any way to alleviate tensions. &nbsp;

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

After the surprise airstrike by the USA that has killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, tensions have substantially spiked between the two nations. So much so that the possibility of war has been brought up by media, creating fear among the masses globally.

After the surprise airstrike by the USA that has killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, tensions have substantially spiked between the two nations. So much so that the possibility of war has been brought up by media, creating fear among the masses globally. Specifically, India should take special heed of this because of our economic and oil interests, at a time when we are undergoing rapid growth in multiple sectors. Approximately 66 per cent of the crude oil imported in the last financial year was from the Middle East. With India, this dependent, a major war in the Middle East region; an area that is in any case, conflict-prone, will substantially increase consumer prices. Geographically speaking, the Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is the planet’s most important oil checkpoint because of the large volumes of oil that flows through the strait. Furthermore, the Persian Gulf holds a significant percentage of the world’s oil reserves and production. This gulf shares coastlines with Iran, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. US-Iran Tensions The USA and Iran share a rocky relationship that dates back to the Islamic Revolution, 1979 that overthrew the Shah, an American ally and brought Iran under a regime that was incompatible to the USA. America placed sanctions on Iran in the 1980s and 1990s in order to put a check on Iran’s regional activities. Heavy economic sanctions were again placed on Iran when President Trump pulled out of the JCPOA in 2018. The pact was signed under the Obama administration in 2015. The JCPOA basically aimed to halt Iran’s nuclear agenda. For Trump, the JCPOA was not enough. Trump said that the pact provisions would still let Iran attain nuclear weapons. Additionally, the American President has made multiple statements expressing that Iran’s nuclear issues, missile program and military expansionism (which garners support from non-state actors) undermine US national interests. India-Iran Relations Bilateral relations are strong via economic, cultural and historical links. India and Iran look to each other as key actors in maintaining stability in the region. In 2016, PM Modi and Iran President Rouhani strengthened relations even further through strong partisan engagements. In terms of trade, energy is the most important between India and Iran. Moreover, the development and operationalisation of the Chabahar Port also ties the two nations together. India sees Chabahar Port as a key transport and trade corridor with Afghanistan and Central Asia. The Impact on India’s Economy Continued tensions between America and Iran Is detrimental to India’s economy. Because oil prices would heavily increase, India would have to spend much more on oil. This means that less money would be allocated to integral areas such as affordable housing, healthcare and infrastructure and development. Since the death of General Soleimani, oil prices have already surged four per cent in India. This increasing rise in crude oil will also undesirably affect India’s energy supply. It will result in an increase in India’s exports and deplete foreign exchange reserves. There is a more than definite probability that the value of the rupee will go down. And at a time where India’s economy is facing temporary slow growth, this could have severe consequences to national development and infrastructure. Tensions also affect approximately eight million Indians who live and work in West Asia. India currently receives a whopping $70 billion in remittances from Indian nationals. If eight million are affected by tensions, this means India stands to lose $40 billion in remittances overall. That’s over 57 per cent of received money instantly gone! The Impact on India’s Foreign Policy Rising US-Iran tensions massively hinders India’s foreign policy agenda. Development of the Chabahar Port would be halted or, in grave circumstances, ceased altogether. On one hand, India and Iran carry good relations and cooperate on trade, oil and development. India, Iran and Afghanistan had also recently signed a trilateral agreement to increase trade, collaboration and transit. On the other hand, India carries very strong relations with America as well. We even have a preferred military partnership with the USA. Notably, in 2019, India had to stop importing Iranian oil to comply with US sanctions on Iran to appease Trump’s continued cooperation at a preferred level. Conclusion The United States of America and Iran are incredibly strategic for India; a rapidly developing country. Prime Minister Modi has actively worked to meaningfully improve India’s relationship with America over the past few years. India cannot lose such an important ally. Simultaneously, however, our energy security is heavily dependant on Iran. If the USA and Iran cannot work this out and war becomes a stark reality, India faces severe drawbacks to growth, progress and relations. What is the best plan of action? PM Modi should step up and play an active role in any capacity to ensure that these two countries can somehow work it out without resorting to a full-scale conflict. A hand of help should be offered to both Iran and the USA to help in any way to alleviate tensions. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US-Iran tensions and why India should care

Hours after United States strike killed top Iranian commander<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-commander-of-quds-force-to-replace-soleimani-irans-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-271905"> Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad</a>, the States Department issued a warning for US citizens to leave Iraq "immediately".

"Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge US citizens to depart Iraq immediately," State Department said on Twitter.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iraq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iraq</a>: Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy. <a href="https://t.co/rdRce3Qr4a">pic.twitter.com/rdRce3Qr4a</a>
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) <a href="https://twitter.com/TravelGov/status/1213011491777060864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. US citizens should not approach the Embassy," the statement added.

Earlier on January 1 as well,&nbsp;the US had issued a travel advisory urging US citizens not to travel to Iraq.

Earlier in the day, the US announced that it had killed the head of the country's Quds Forces, Qasem Soleimani in strike on Baghdad international airport. The US State Department later confirmed that the killing was authorised by US President Donald Trump.

Tensions with Iraq were already running high after pro-Iranian protesters laid siege the US embassy on Tuesday, reacting to weekend airstrikes that killed at least 25 fighters from the hardline Kataeb Hezbollah paramilitary group.

The strikes were in response to a 36-rocket attack last week that killed an American contractor at an Iraqi base.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months, including on December 27, the day the contractor was killed.

Soleimani "also approved the attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad, according to the Pentagon.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Hours after United States strike killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, the States Department issued a warning for US citizens to leave Iraq "immediately".

Hours after United States strike killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, the States Department issued a warning for US citizens to leave Iraq "immediately". "Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge US citizens to depart Iraq immediately," State Department said on Twitter. #Iraq: Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy. pic.twitter.com/rdRce3Qr4a — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) January 3, 2020 × "Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. US citizens should not approach the Embassy," the statement added. Earlier on January 1 as well, the US had issued a travel advisory urging US citizens not to travel to Iraq. Earlier in the day, the US announced that it had killed the head of the country's Quds Forces, Qasem Soleimani in strike on Baghdad international airport. The US State Department later confirmed that the killing was authorised by US President Donald Trump. Tensions with Iraq were already running high after pro-Iranian protesters laid siege the US embassy on Tuesday, reacting to weekend airstrikes that killed at least 25 fighters from the hardline Kataeb Hezbollah paramilitary group. The strikes were in response to a 36-rocket attack last week that killed an American contractor at an Iraqi base. The Pentagon said Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months, including on December 27, the day the contractor was killed. Soleimani "also approved the attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad, according to the Pentagon. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid heightened tensions in Iraq, US State Department tells US citizens to 'depart Iraq immediately'

The commander, Major General Qassim Soleimani, and several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran were killed when an American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the airport. #WION #DonaldTrump #Iran #US

Defence Expert Davis Des Roches exclusively speaks to WION over 'Soleimani killing'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-steady-on-track-for-biggest-yearly-rise-since-2016-271227">Oil prices</a> soared more than four per cent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

The head of Iran's Quds Force, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-head-of-group-irans-quds-force-head-qasem-soleimani-killed-hashed-al-shaabi-271762">Qasem Soleimani</a>, was hit in an attack on Baghdad's international airport early Friday, according to Hashed, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran.

The Indian Rupee weakened and shares slipped as oil prices surged after US airstrikes killed a top Iranian commander, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Other Asian markets also tumbled following news of the airstrikes, in which the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and a top Iraqi militia leader were killed early on Friday at Baghdad airport.

The Rupee weakened by 0.26 per cent to 71.5525 against the dollar. India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs, making it highly susceptible to crude price swings.

Brent surged 4.4 per cent to $69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to $63.84 as investors grow increasingly worried about a possible flare-up in the tinderbox Middle East.

"This is more than just bloodying Iran's nose," said AxiTrader's Stephen Innes. "This is an aggressive show of force and an outright provocation that could trigger another Middle East war."

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-attack-on-baghdad-airport-top-iran-commander-killed-271756">killing of Soleimani</a> is a dramatic escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and comes after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Iraq following deadly American airstrikes on the hardline Hashed faction.

The attack on the embassy highlighted new strains in the US-Iraqi relationship, which officials from both countries have described to sources as the "coldest" in years.

It also comes as tensions between the US and North Korea worsen, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-skips-set-piece-new-years-speech-271374">Kim Jong Un</a> declaring a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests had ended, with talks with the US going nowhere.

"We are waking up to a less safe world than it was only hours ago, especially if we combine this with simmering tension in the Korean peninsula," Innes added.

The drama sent investors rushing for the hills and safe-haven units rallied with the yen up 0.7 per cent against the dollar and gold climbing more than one per cent.

High-risk currencies retreated against the greenback, with South Korea's won down 0.6 per cent, Australia's dollar down 0.4 per cent and the South African rand down more than one per cent.

Equities sank into the red, having been enjoying the second day of the year rallying on trade optimism.

Hong Kong fell 0.2 per cent, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-halts-british-stock-link-over-political-tensions-sources-271591">Shanghai</a> shed 0.1 per cent. Singapore retreated 0.2 per cent, Seoul lost 0.1 per cent and Taipei eased 0.3 per cent. However, Sydney, Wellington, and Manila held in positive territory.

Markets had all been well up before news of the strike, thanks to ongoing optimism fuelled by the China-US trade agreement, looser central bank monetary policies and easing Brexit worries.

Oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

Oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region. The head of Iran's Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was hit in an attack on Baghdad's international airport early Friday, according to Hashed, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran. The Indian Rupee weakened and shares slipped as oil prices surged after US airstrikes killed a top Iranian commander, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Other Asian markets also tumbled following news of the airstrikes, in which the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and a top Iraqi militia leader were killed early on Friday at Baghdad airport. The Rupee weakened by 0.26 per cent to 71.5525 against the dollar. India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs, making it highly susceptible to crude price swings. Brent surged 4.4 per cent to $69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to $63.84 as investors grow increasingly worried about a possible flare-up in the tinderbox Middle East. "This is more than just bloodying Iran's nose," said AxiTrader's Stephen Innes. "This is an aggressive show of force and an outright provocation that could trigger another Middle East war." The killing of Soleimani is a dramatic escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and comes after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Iraq following deadly American airstrikes on the hardline Hashed faction. The attack on the embassy highlighted new strains in the US-Iraqi relationship, which officials from both countries have described to sources as the "coldest" in years. It also comes as tensions between the US and North Korea worsen, with Kim Jong Un declaring a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests had ended, with talks with the US going nowhere. "We are waking up to a less safe world than it was only hours ago, especially if we combine this with simmering tension in the Korean peninsula," Innes added. The drama sent investors rushing for the hills and safe-haven units rallied with the yen up 0.7 per cent against the dollar and gold climbing more than one per cent. High-risk currencies retreated against the greenback, with South Korea's won down 0.6 per cent, Australia's dollar down 0.4 per cent and the South African rand down more than one per cent. Equities sank into the red, having been enjoying the second day of the year rallying on trade optimism. Hong Kong fell 0.2 per cent, while Shanghai shed 0.1 per cent. Singapore retreated 0.2 per cent, Seoul lost 0.1 per cent and Taipei eased 0.3 per cent. However, Sydney, Wellington, and Manila held in positive territory. Markets had all been well up before news of the strike, thanks to ongoing optimism fuelled by the China-US trade agreement, looser central bank monetary policies and easing Brexit worries.

Oil prices surge after US strike kills Iranian general Soleimani

The US defence secretary, Mark Esper, announced that 750 airborne troops would be deployed to the region immediately, with more to follow in the next few days.

US deploys 750 troops to Middle East after Baghdad embassy attack

In Iraq, angry demonstrators entered the US compound against the US jets hit Kataib Hezbollah bases in retaliation for missile attacks that killed a US contractor in northern Iraq last week. The US deployed 750 additional troops in Baghdad as a result of the crisis, it already has over five thousand troops deployed in the country. #WION #Fineprint #Iraq #Iraq-US #USA

Fineprint: US Embassy closed in Iraq until further notice

Supporters of Iran-backed Iraqi paramilitary groups began to withdraw from the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday (January 1), a day after they stormed the outer perimeter, forcing Washington to dispatch extra troops and threaten reprisals against Iran.

Iraqi militias withdraw from U.S. Embassy

Supporters of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) who had stormed the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-militias-start-withdrawing-from-us-embassy-in-baghdad-271456"> US embassy in Baghdad</a> pulled out of the compound even as the US began sending fresh troops in the region.

PMF said by Wednesday afternoon its supporters had left the embassy after angry demonstrators entered the US compound against the US jets hit Kataib Hezbollah bases in retaliation for missile attacks that killed a US contractor in northern Iraq last week. &nbsp;

The US has deployed 750 additional troops in Baghdad as a result of the crisis, it already has over five thousand troops deployed in the country.

President Trump had earlier tweeted that Iran will be "fully responsible" for the embassy attack. The US president added that he expected Iraq to use its forces to protect the embassy.

Trump and US officials blamed Iran for attacks on US forces and the embassy.&nbsp;

"They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat," Trump wrote on Twitter, adding "Happy New Year!"

Meanwhile, Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has warned against any aggression towards foreign embassies and representations.&nbsp;

Earlier, hundreds of Iraqi supporters of the Iran-backed Sh'ite militia had stormed into the US embassy in Baghdad. The protesters marched onto the heavily fortified Green Zone and kept walking until they reached the embassy.

The Green zone is a highly secured area in Baghdad and houses most of the embassies and government offices. The protesters chanting "Death to America" entered the US embassy and torched the US flag.

Security personnel could be seen retreating inside of the embassy as demonstrators hurled water bottles and smashed security cameras outside the building. At least twenty people were wounded in clashes with security forces.

Supporters of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) who had stormed the US embassy in Baghdad pulled out of the compound even as the US began sending fresh troops in the region.

Supporters of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) who had stormed the US embassy in Baghdad pulled out of the compound even as the US began sending fresh troops in the region. PMF said by Wednesday afternoon its supporters had left the embassy after angry demonstrators entered the US compound against the US jets hit Kataib Hezbollah bases in retaliation for missile attacks that killed a US contractor in northern Iraq last week. The US has deployed 750 additional troops in Baghdad as a result of the crisis, it already has over five thousand troops deployed in the country. President Trump had earlier tweeted that Iran will be "fully responsible" for the embassy attack. The US president added that he expected Iraq to use its forces to protect the embassy. Trump and US officials blamed Iran for attacks on US forces and the embassy. "They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat," Trump wrote on Twitter, adding "Happy New Year!" Meanwhile, Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has warned against any aggression towards foreign embassies and representations. Earlier, hundreds of Iraqi supporters of the Iran-backed Sh'ite militia had stormed into the US embassy in Baghdad. The protesters marched onto the heavily fortified Green Zone and kept walking until they reached the embassy. The Green zone is a highly secured area in Baghdad and houses most of the embassies and government offices. The protesters chanting "Death to America" entered the US embassy and torched the US flag. Security personnel could be seen retreating inside of the embassy as demonstrators hurled water bottles and smashed security cameras outside the building. At least twenty people were wounded in clashes with security forces.

Iraqi militias withdraw from US embassy in Baghdad; more American troops deployed

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a threat to Iran, blaming it for the attack on the US embassy in Iraq.&nbsp;

"Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!," he tweeted.

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....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1212121026072592384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The threat came following the violent protests by the Iranian-backed force, the Kataib Hezbollah militia, at the US embassy in Baghdad. 
 
This event has heightened the tensions between Iran and the US since Washington cancelled the nuclear deal with Iran in 2018.

Why did protesters attack&nbsp;US embassy in Baghdad

The US on Sunday carried out airstrikes&nbsp;in Iraq and Syria, targetting the Kataib Hezbollah militia, in retaliation of a rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor at an Iraqi military base.

At least 25 militias were killed in the US airstrikes. The protesters chanted anti-US slogans, hurled stones towards the embassy compound and also burned US flags.

Agitated protesters said they won't leave the embassy until US forces quit Iraq. The US immediately rushed a rapid response team of marines to help guard the compound.

There were no reports of casualties from the attack. The State Department said all US personnel were safe and there were no plans to evacuate the embassy.

Why did the US target the Kataib Hezbollah militia

The US has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in 2009, which is a hardline faction of Iranian-trained Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. Washington claims that the group has long targetted the US forces in Iraq.&nbsp;

Kataib Hezbollah group receives financial and military support from Iran.&nbsp;

US soldiers and diplomats, deployed in Iraqi military bases, have faced a series of attacks by the pro-Iran groups.

The US described the attacks in Iraq and Syria as 'defensive strikes'. Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned Iran, saying the US will not tolerate any attacks by the Iranian-backed forces targetting Americans.

Baghdad attack brings back memories of Benghazi

Baghdad episode is being compared to the attack on the US consulate in Libya's&nbsp;Benghazi in 2012.

The 2012 attack was carried by the Islamic militant group, Ansar al-Sharia, on two United States government facilities in Benghazi.&nbsp;

US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, communications officer Sean Smith, CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were killed in the attack.

To avoid a repeat of the deadly attack, the Trump administration took a quick decision to send&nbsp;Marines to the&nbsp;embassy in Baghdad. The US is also set to deploy around&nbsp;750 soldiers in the region immediately. This is being seen as a precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities.

How did Iran react

The United States and Iran are at the loggerheads over influence in Iraq, the nuclear deal and imposition of economic sanctions by Washington.

Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned the US airstrikes and warned that his country was ready to confront any threats issued by the United States.

Khamenei said Iran was ready to respond to any threat without any hesitation. We will never... drag the country towards war. But if others want to impose anything on this country, we will stand against them with all our might," he said.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a threat to Iran, blaming it for the attack on the US embassy in Iraq. "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a threat to Iran, blaming it for the attack on the US embassy in Iraq. "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!," he tweeted. ....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 × The threat came following the violent protests by the Iranian-backed force, the Kataib Hezbollah militia, at the US embassy in Baghdad. This event has heightened the tensions between Iran and the US since Washington cancelled the nuclear deal with Iran in 2018. Why did protesters attack US embassy in Baghdad The US on Sunday carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, targetting the Kataib Hezbollah militia, in retaliation of a rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor at an Iraqi military base. At least 25 militias were killed in the US airstrikes. The protesters chanted anti-US slogans, hurled stones towards the embassy compound and also burned US flags. Agitated protesters said they won't leave the embassy until US forces quit Iraq. The US immediately rushed a rapid response team of marines to help guard the compound. There were no reports of casualties from the attack. The State Department said all US personnel were safe and there were no plans to evacuate the embassy. Why did the US target the Kataib Hezbollah militia The US has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in 2009, which is a hardline faction of Iranian-trained Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. Washington claims that the group has long targetted the US forces in Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah group receives financial and military support from Iran. US soldiers and diplomats, deployed in Iraqi military bases, have faced a series of attacks by the pro-Iran groups. The US described the attacks in Iraq and Syria as 'defensive strikes'. Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned Iran, saying the US will not tolerate any attacks by the Iranian-backed forces targetting Americans. Baghdad attack brings back memories of Benghazi Baghdad episode is being compared to the attack on the US consulate in Libya's Benghazi in 2012. The 2012 attack was carried by the Islamic militant group, Ansar al-Sharia, on two United States government facilities in Benghazi. US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, communications officer Sean Smith, CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were killed in the attack. To avoid a repeat of the deadly attack, the Trump administration took a quick decision to send Marines to the embassy in Baghdad. The US is also set to deploy around 750 soldiers in the region immediately. This is being seen as a precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities. How did Iran react The United States and Iran are at the loggerheads over influence in Iraq, the nuclear deal and imposition of economic sanctions by Washington. Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned the US airstrikes and warned that his country was ready to confront any threats issued by the United States. Khamenei said Iran was ready to respond to any threat without any hesitation. We will never... drag the country towards war. But if others want to impose anything on this country, we will stand against them with all our might," he said.

Explained: What made US President Donald Trump threaten Iran

Iran and Iraq fought nearly a decade long war in the 1980's and earlier elite Iranian documents accessed by US media revealed the complex tale of how Iran had influenced Iraq. Watch report: #Iran #Iraq #US #WION

How Iran infiltrated Iraqi affairs, leaked Iranian intel documents on Iraq

Paramilitary groups who have been protesting against <a href="Protesters burn security post at US Embassy in Iraq; Pentagon sending additional troops to region">US&nbsp;airstrikes</a> in Iraq began to withdraw from the perimeter of the US&nbsp;Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, although some supporters remained.

By Wednesday afternoon many had left the embassy and started setting up a protest camp in front of a nearby hotel. A small group of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/expect-iraq-to-use-its-forces-to-protect-us-embassy-in-baghdad-trump-271292">protesters</a> remained and said they would not leave till US&nbsp;forces were expelled from Iraq.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tear-gas-fired-at-iraq-protesters-storming-us-baghdad-embassy-271237">US embassy in Baghdad</a>&nbsp;after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound.

"We expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US&nbsp;targets Iran-based Kataib Hezbollah Group In Iraq

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Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions attacked the embassy early Tuesday, breaching its outer wall and chanting "Death to America" in anger over weekend airstrikes that killed two dozen fighters.

It was the first time in years that protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone.

Trump blamed Iran for organising the attack and warned Tehran would be held accountable.

"Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," he tweeted.

Paramilitary groups who have been protesting against US airstrikes in Iraq began to withdraw from the perimeter of the US Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, although some supporters remained.

Paramilitary groups who have been protesting against US airstrikes in Iraq began to withdraw from the perimeter of the US Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, although some supporters remained. By Wednesday afternoon many had left the embassy and started setting up a protest camp in front of a nearby hotel. A small group of protesters remained and said they would not leave till US forces were expelled from Iraq. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the US embassy in Baghdad after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound. "We expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump tweeted. Watch: US targets Iran-based Kataib Hezbollah Group In Iraq Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions attacked the embassy early Tuesday, breaching its outer wall and chanting "Death to America" in anger over weekend airstrikes that killed two dozen fighters. It was the first time in years that protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone. Trump blamed Iran for organising the attack and warned Tehran would be held accountable. "Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," he tweeted.

Iraqi militias start withdrawing from US Embassy in Baghdad

Protesters&nbsp;angry about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-airstrikes-kill-25-pro-iran-militia-fighters-in-iraq-and-syria-triggering-anger-271052">US&nbsp;airstrikes</a> on&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;hurled stones and torched a&nbsp;security&nbsp;post&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-donald-trump-blames-iran-for-us-embassy-attack-in-baghdad-promises-us-will-always-respond-strongly-271317">US&nbsp;Embassy</a>&nbsp;in Baghdad on Tuesday, setting off a confrontation with guards and prompting the United States to send&nbsp;additional&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to the Middle East.

The protests, led by Iranian-backed militias, posed a new foreign policy challenge for&nbsp;US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a>, who faces re-election in 2020. He threatened to retaliate against Iran.

The State Department said diplomatic personnel inside were safe and there were no plans to evacuate them.

Embassy&nbsp;guards used stun grenades and tear gas to repel&nbsp;protesters, who stormed and&nbsp;burned the&nbsp;security&nbsp;post&nbsp;at the entrance but did not breach the main compound.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/protesters-storm-us-embassy-compound-in-baghdad-271300/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;said that in addition to Marines sent to protect&nbsp;embassy&nbsp;personnel, about 750 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were being sent to the Middle East and that&nbsp;additional&nbsp;troops&nbsp;were prepared to deploy over the next several days.

"This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against&nbsp;US&nbsp;personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad today,"&nbsp;US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement.

US&nbsp;officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the 750&nbsp;troops&nbsp;would initially be based out of Kuwait. The officials said that as many as 4,000&nbsp;troops&nbsp;could be sent to the&nbsp;region&nbsp;in the coming days if needed.

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More than 5,000&nbsp;US&nbsp;troops&nbsp;are stationed in&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;supporting local forces.

The unprecedented attack on an American diplomatic mission in&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;marked a sharp escalation of the proxy conflict between the United States and Iran both influential players in the country - and plunged&nbsp;US&nbsp;relations with&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;to their worst level in years.

The United States and its allies invaded&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;in 2003 and ousted Saddam Hussein. But political stability has been elusive.

Trump, on a two-week working vacation in Palm Beach, Florida, spoke by phone to&nbsp;Iraqi Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-parliament-approves-resignation-of-prime-minister-mahdi-265661">Adel Abdul Mahdi</a> of&nbsp;Iraq. "President Trump emphasized the need to protect United States personnel and facilities in&nbsp;Iraq," the White House said.

Trump accused Iran of orchestrating the violence.

"Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat," Trump said in a tweet.

Iran, under severe economic duress from punishing&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions put in place by Trump, denied responsibility.

"America has the surprising audacity of attributing to Iran the protests of the&nbsp;Iraqi people against (Washington's) savage killing of at least 25&nbsp;Iraqis," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.

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The&nbsp;embassy&nbsp;incident came seven years after the 2012 attack by armed militants on the&nbsp;US&nbsp;diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the death of the&nbsp;US&nbsp;ambassador and three other Americans and led to multiple congressional investigations.

The protests followed&nbsp;US&nbsp;airstrikes on Sunday on bases operated by the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah inside&nbsp;Iraq, which killed at least 25 fighters and wounded 55. The strikes were retaliation for the killing of a&nbsp;US&nbsp;civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an&nbsp;Iraqi military base, which Washington blamed on Kataib Hezbollah.

"Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will," Trump said in a tweet. "Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the&nbsp;US&nbsp;Embassy&nbsp;in&nbsp;Iraq. They will be held fully responsible."

Democrats&nbsp;upset that Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2015 were quick to pounce on the incident as a failure of Trump's Iran policy.

"The predictable result of the Trump administration’s reckless bluster, escalation, and miscalculation in the Middle East is that we are now hurtling closer to an unauthorized war with Iran that the American people do not support," said&nbsp;US&nbsp;Senator Tom Udall, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The&nbsp;protesters joined briefly by Iranian-backed Shi'ite Muslim militia leaders, threw stones at the&nbsp;embassy&nbsp;gate, while others chanted: "No, no, America! No, no, Trump!"

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Iraqi special forces prevented&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;entering, later reinforced by&nbsp;US-trained&nbsp;Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces.

The&nbsp;embassy&nbsp;has been hit by sporadic but non-lethal rocket fire in recent months, and was regularly shelled following the&nbsp;US-led invasion of 2003, but had not been physically attacked by demonstrators in that way before.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mike-pompeo-to-meet-ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-on-friday-271101">Mike Pompeo</a> told CBS News that&nbsp;US&nbsp;officials never contemplated evacuating the&nbsp;embassy&nbsp;and had kept the heat on&nbsp;Iraqi officials to ensure the compound was safe.

"We reminded them throughout the day of their continued responsibility," he said.

The Popular Mobilisation Forces, an umbrella grouping of the militias that have been officially integrated into&nbsp;Iraq's armed forces, said 62 militiamen and civilians were wounded by the tear gas and stun grenades fired to disperse the crowd.

A Reuters witness saw blood on the face of one wounded militiaman and on the stomach of the other as their colleagues&nbsp;carried them away.

Iraqis have been taking to the streets in the thousands almost daily to condemn, among other things, militias such as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iraq-pm-kataib-hezbollah-condemns-us-airstrikes-271203">Kataib Hezbollah</a> and their Iranian patrons that support Abdul Mahdi's government.

Kataib Hezbollah is one of the smallest but most potent of the Iranian-backed militias. Its flags were hung on the fence surrounding the&nbsp;embassy.

Protesters angry about US airstrikes on Iraq hurled stones and torched a security post at the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, setting off a confrontation with guards and prompting the United States to send additional troops to the Middle East.

Protesters angry about US airstrikes on Iraq hurled stones and torched a security post at the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, setting off a confrontation with guards and prompting the United States to send additional troops to the Middle East. The protests, led by Iranian-backed militias, posed a new foreign policy challenge for US President Donald Trump, who faces re-election in 2020. He threatened to retaliate against Iran. The State Department said diplomatic personnel inside were safe and there were no plans to evacuate them. Embassy guards used stun grenades and tear gas to repel protesters, who stormed and burned the security post at the entrance but did not breach the main compound. The Pentagon said that in addition to Marines sent to protect embassy personnel, about 750 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were being sent to the Middle East and that additional troops were prepared to deploy over the next several days. "This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad today," US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement. US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the 750 troops would initially be based out of Kuwait. The officials said that as many as 4,000 troops could be sent to the region in the coming days if needed. More than 5,000 US troops are stationed in Iraq supporting local forces. The unprecedented attack on an American diplomatic mission in Iraq marked a sharp escalation of the proxy conflict between the United States and Iran both influential players in the country - and plunged US relations with Iraq to their worst level in years. The United States and its allies invaded Iraq in 2003 and ousted Saddam Hussein. But political stability has been elusive. Trump, on a two-week working vacation in Palm Beach, Florida, spoke by phone to Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq. "President Trump emphasized the need to protect United States personnel and facilities in Iraq," the White House said. Trump accused Iran of orchestrating the violence. "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat," Trump said in a tweet. Iran, under severe economic duress from punishing US sanctions put in place by Trump, denied responsibility. "America has the surprising audacity of attributing to Iran the protests of the Iraqi people against (Washington's) savage killing of at least 25 Iraqis," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said. The embassy incident came seven years after the 2012 attack by armed militants on the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the death of the US ambassador and three other Americans and led to multiple congressional investigations. The protests followed US airstrikes on Sunday on bases operated by the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah inside Iraq, which killed at least 25 fighters and wounded 55. The strikes were retaliation for the killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base, which Washington blamed on Kataib Hezbollah. "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will," Trump said in a tweet. "Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible." Democrats upset that Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2015 were quick to pounce on the incident as a failure of Trump's Iran policy. "The predictable result of the Trump administration’s reckless bluster, escalation, and miscalculation in the Middle East is that we are now hurtling closer to an unauthorized war with Iran that the American people do not support," said US Senator Tom Udall, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The protesters joined briefly by Iranian-backed Shi'ite Muslim militia leaders, threw stones at the embassy gate, while others chanted: "No, no, America! No, no, Trump!" Iraqi special forces prevented protesters entering, later reinforced by US-trained Iraqi Counter-Terrorism forces. The embassy has been hit by sporadic but non-lethal rocket fire in recent months, and was regularly shelled following the US-led invasion of 2003, but had not been physically attacked by demonstrators in that way before. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CBS News that US officials never contemplated evacuating the embassy and had kept the heat on Iraqi officials to ensure the compound was safe. "We reminded them throughout the day of their continued responsibility," he said. The Popular Mobilisation Forces, an umbrella grouping of the militias that have been officially integrated into Iraq's armed forces, said 62 militiamen and civilians were wounded by the tear gas and stun grenades fired to disperse the crowd. A Reuters witness saw blood on the face of one wounded militiaman and on the stomach of the other as their colleagues carried them away. Iraqis have been taking to the streets in the thousands almost daily to condemn, among other things, militias such as Kataib Hezbollah and their Iranian patrons that support Abdul Mahdi's government. Kataib Hezbollah is one of the smallest but most potent of the Iranian-backed militias. Its flags were hung on the fence surrounding the embassy.

Protesters burn security post at US Embassy in Iraq; Pentagon sending additional troops to region

Why Did The U.S. Target The Hezbollah Group In Iraq? #Gravitas

Gravitas: U.S. Targets Iran-based Kataib Hezbollah Group In Iraq

Dozens of protesters broke into the US embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area, prompting tear gas and sounds of gunfire.

Protesters storm US embassy compound in Baghdad

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