US President Donald Trump said US military assets would remain deployed in and around Iran until it complies with what he described as a “real agreement”, warning of a stronger response if terms are not met.

How much has US crippled Iran’s military? Key takeaways on nuclear, missile, military strength and Strait of Hormuz control

US President Donald Trump has given Iran 48 hours to reach a deal and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil supplies normally transit, or face severe military consequences. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that he had previously set a deadline for Tehran to “make a deal” or open the strategic waterway, adding that “Time is running out — 48 hours before all hell will rain down on them.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trump warns Iran

The ultimatum comes amid the ongoing US‑Israel campaign against Iran, now in its fourth week, during which Tehran has effectively restricted maritime traffic through Hormuz. The disruption has contributed to soaring global energy prices and broader economic uncertain.&nbsp;ALSO READ: ‘<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-never-refused-talks-in-islamabad-iran-slams-reports-seeks-lasting-end-to-war-1775307019947">Never refused talks in Islamabad’: Iran slams reports, seeks lasting end to war</a><h2>Deadline Approached</h2>&nbsp;On March 26, Trump had extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, moving it to April 6, stating that negotiations were “going very well.” The President made the announcement on Thursday via a social media post, writing: “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time.”&nbsp;&nbsp;This comes after Iranian authorities reported that a projectile had struck near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing a member of the facility’s security staff and damaging an auxiliary building. The incident marked the fourth reported attack near the plant amid escalating tensions between the United States and Israel. On the same day, US and Israeli strikes reportedly targeted several petrochemical facilities in Khuzestan, a key energy hub in southern Iran, according to Iranian media.<h2>High-Stakes Escalation in Air Combat</h2>ALSO READ:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-s-bushehr-nuclear-power-plant-hit-again-one-killed-building-damaged-1775307082648"> Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, petrochemical units and cement plant hit in fresh wave of strikes</a>&nbsp;The confrontation had entered a high-stakes phase, marked by the first confirmed losses of manned US combat aircraft to Iranian defenses. An F-15E Strike Eagle was downed over Iranian territory, followed by the crash of an A-10 Thunderbolt II in the Persian Gulf. One of the two crew members of the F-15 was rescued, while the search for the other has been ongoing. The pilot of the A-10 was successfully rescued. These incidents highlighted the escalating military risks in the region and underscored the potential for further direct clashes as diplomatic negotiations continued under tight deadlines.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The ultimatum comes amid the ongoing US‑Israel campaign against Iran, now in its fourth week, during which Tehran has effectively restricted maritime traffic through Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has given Iran 48 hours to reach a deal and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil supplies normally transit, or face severe military consequences. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that he had previously set a deadline for Tehran to “make a deal” or open the strategic waterway, adding that “Time is running out — 48 hours before all hell will rain down on them.”

The ultimatum comes amid the ongoing US‑Israel campaign against Iran, now in its fourth week, during which Tehran has effectively restricted maritime traffic through Hormuz

Trump gives Iran 48‑hour ultimatum, warns ‘hell will rain down’ if no deal reached

The dollar is heading for its strongest monthly performance since October 2024, driven by the Middle East conflicts, which have disrupted energy markets, unsettled economic outlooks, and pushed investors towards the leading reserve currency of the world. The US position as the top global oil producer has further strengthened the dollar amid a rise in energy prices and weakening global growth expectations.&nbsp;“The dollar rallied as a safe haven bid on weakening global growth expectations,” said Noah Buffam, strategist at CIBC Capital Markets, Bloomberg reported. Since the disruption to global energy markets, investors have favoured the dollar, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which highlighted the dependence on oil and natural gas imports of Europe and Japan.<h3>Forecasts of the US currency</h3>Traders, positioned for dollar weakness before the war, quickly reversed course. They now hold over $7 billion in bullish bets in the derivatives market, marking the highest since December. Some Wall Street banks that include JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which had a small view of the dollar heading into the year, are now reconsidering their stance on the US currency. However, volatility in global risk sentiment and news headlines continues to complicate forecasts exceedingly.&nbsp;Amid speculations of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year has now foundered as updated inflationary fears drive traders to reconsider. Additionally, the risk of a rising dollar dominates the outlook into year-end in the options market. “The dollar’s haven virtues have revived since the start of the Iran war as it quickly became clear this wasn’t a local conflict with fading FX impact. Dollar bulls can lean on elevated risk aversion, though the price action has underwhelmed so far, which is consistent with our view that the US’ unpredictable geopolitical stance boosts the case for diversification strategies," Bloomberg Intelligence confirmed.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-iran-war-escalates-red-sea-cable-threat-raises-fear-of-internet-disruption-in-india-1774877905277">As US-Iran war escalates, Red Sea cable threat raises fear of internet disruption in India</a>

Some Wall Street banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which had a small view of the dollar heading into the year, are now reconsidering their stance on the US currency. 

The dollar is heading for its strongest monthly performance since October 2024, driven by the Middle East conflicts, which have disrupted energy markets, unsettled economic outlooks, and pushed investors towards the leading reserve currency of the world. The US position as the top global oil producer has further strengthened the dollar amid a rise in energy prices and weakening global growth expectations. “The dollar rallied as a safe haven bid on weakening global growth expectations,” said Noah Buffam, strategist at CIBC Capital Markets, Bloomberg reported. Since the disruption to global energy markets, investors have favoured the dollar, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which highlighted the dependence on oil and natural gas imports of Europe and Japan. Forecasts of the US currency Traders, positioned for dollar weakness before the war, quickly reversed course. They now hold over $7 billion in bullish bets in the derivatives market, marking the highest since December. Some Wall Street banks that include JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which had a small view of the dollar heading into the year, are now reconsidering their stance on the US currency. However, volatility in global risk sentiment and news headlines continues to complicate forecasts exceedingly. Amid speculations of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year has now foundered as updated inflationary fears drive traders to reconsider. Additionally, the risk of a rising dollar dominates the outlook into year-end in the options market. “The dollar’s haven virtues have revived since the start of the Iran war as it quickly became clear this wasn’t a local conflict with fading FX impact. Dollar bulls can lean on elevated risk aversion, though the price action has underwhelmed so far, which is consistent with our view that the US’ unpredictable geopolitical stance boosts the case for diversification strategies," Bloomberg Intelligence confirmed. Also read: As US-Iran war escalates, Red Sea cable threat raises fear of internet disruption in India

Some Wall Street banks, including JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which had a small view of the dollar heading into the year, are now reconsidering their stance on the US currency.&nbsp;

Dollar climbs to strongest month since October 2024 as West Asia war shakes global markets

<ul><li>By Maitreya Buddha Samantaray</li></ul>In times of war, every statement becomes a strategic act. Words are not merely descriptive. They are instruments of influence, deterrence, reassurance, and control. Governments understand this instinctively. When missiles fly and markets tremble, leaders know that communication is not a supporting function. It is an operational capability.&nbsp;The ongoing tensions in the Middle East provide a striking demonstration of this reality. Beyond the military dimension, conflict is also an intense contest of narratives. Statements from political leaders, defense establishments, and foreign ministries are carefully constructed to shape perception among multiple audiences, including domestic populations, adversaries, allies, financial markets, and the global public.&nbsp;For business leaders, crisis communication often becomes most visible during moments of uncertainty. The patterns emerging from official communications during the conflict offer valuable lessons for corporate leadership, crisis communication teams, CEO offices, and Boards. These lessons are not about geopolitics. They are about the mechanics of leadership under pressure.&nbsp;What we are witnessing is the emergence of a new grammar of crisis communication.<h2>Clarity of Objective Creates Stability</h2>Messaging from the United States, Israel, and Iran has been marked by relative ambiguity regarding objectives such as deterrence, self-defence, and protection of interests, creating strategic uncertainty. Meanwhile, neutral actors like India employ thoughtful statecraft by maintaining open communication channels with all sides and diversifying relationships without emotional commitment, effectively positioning themselves as potential winners without direct conflict. Complementing this, symbolic gestures such as the UAE President and Dubai Crown Prince appearing publicly at a bustling mall act as powerful reassurances, reinforcing public trust and stability amid regional tensions.Overall, clarity matters because uncertainty fuels instability. Markets react to ambiguity. Employees react to uncertainty. Stakeholders respond to perceived hesitation in leadership. In corporate crises, leaders often issue cautious statements that convey concern while allowing space to understand the evolving situation. Phrases such as “we are monitoring the situation” or “we are assessing developments” can provide time to gather facts. However, stakeholders often seek an understanding of the broader objective guiding leadership decisions.&nbsp;The lesson from the current situation is that communication benefits from clearly articulating the objective early. Stakeholders want to understand what leadership is trying to achieve. Is the priority safety, operational continuity, financial stabilization, or reputational recovery? When the objective is articulated clearly, it anchors the narrative and reduces speculation.<h2>Repetition Builds Narrative Authority</h2>Another characteristic of wartime messaging is disciplined repetition. Governments return to the same core ideas repeatedly, including security, deterrence, legitimacy, defense, and responsibility. The phrasing may evolve, but the narrative frame remains constant. This repetition is somewhat intentional and ensures that the intended message becomes the dominant interpretation of events.&nbsp;Companies and business leaders can draw insight from this approach. Consistency in language across communications helps stakeholders interpret developments more clearly. A key takeaway of effective crisis communication is message discipline. A small set of core themes can guide every statement, internal briefing, and external update. The objective is not rhetorical creativity but narrative consistency.<h2>Separate Strategy from Instruction</h2>Official communications during the conflict reveal another important principle. Strategic messaging is separated from operational instruction. Political leaders speak about national objectives and strategic direction. Military and civil defense authorities communicate practical guidance to citizens, including where to go, what to do, and how to remain safe. This distinction prevents confusion. Strategic narratives address the broader situation while operational communications guide immediate behaviour.&nbsp;Organizations can benefit from adopting a similar clarity in communication. Leadership strategic messaging can focus on the broader context and reassure stakeholders about the direction of the organization. Operational communications can provide clear guidance to employees, customers, and partners regarding necessary actions. Corporate leaders may find it helpful to avoid combining strategic messaging and detailed operational instructions within the same communication. When separated appropriately, both messages become clearer and more effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;A structured operational framework for crisis communication involves establishing a leadership-led communication team supported by trained spokespersons authorized to deliver clear, consistent messages. Robust protocols, including emergency call trees, facilitate rapid information flow across the organization. Tailoring communication strategies to key audiences and their specific information needs is essential, supported by scenario planning to prepare for potential disruptions and accurate situation assessment to develop concise messaging. Selecting appropriate channels such as dedicated status pages for detailed operational updates and social media for real-time acknowledgment ensures timely and effective information dissemination. Continuous monitoring of social media and news, coupled with real-time sentiment tracking, enables organizations to gauge public perception dynamically. Finally, measuring specific metrics during and after crises is critical to evaluating the effectiveness of communication efforts in protecting or restoring reputation and financial value.<h2>Legitimacy Is as Important as Accuracy</h2>A striking feature of statements emerging from Iran is the consistent emphasis on legal and moral framing. References to international law, civilian protection, and sovereignty appear repeatedly in official rhetoric. The goal is not only to present facts but also to position the narrative within a broader moral framework. This reflects an important reality. Crises are judged not only by what happened but also by whether the response appears legitimate.&nbsp;In the business context, stakeholders want to understand not only the facts of a situation but also whether the organization is responding in accordance with its values and principles, including transparency, accountability, fairness, and responsibility. Communication therefore, benefits from articulating both the facts and the standards guiding the response. Legitimacy builds trust even when complete information is still emerging. When responding to regulatory incidents, workplace concerns, or operational disruptions, leaders may find value in emphasizing both factual clarity and procedural integrity.<h2>Preserve Strategic Flexibility</h2>Another notable aspect of the ongoing conflict’s rhetoric is the use of conditional language. Statements frequently emphasize readiness to escalate or de-escalate depending on circumstances. This language allows leaders to project confidence while preserving room to adapt as events evolve.&nbsp;Corporate leaders may also consider this balance. Avoiding absolute statements about outcomes can help maintain credibility during uncertain situations. Declaring that issues will be resolved immediately or that risks are fully contained may provide short-term reassurance but may not always reflect the evolving reality of a crisis. Strategic communication benefits from balancing confidence with flexibility. Leaders can demonstrate control while allowing space for adjustments as new information becomes available.&nbsp;(About the author: Maitreya Buddha Samantaray is the Convenor of the Crisis Intelligence Community (CIC). With over 18 years of experience in consulting and industry, he specialises in helping organisations navigate complex risks in volatile environments. His expertise includes geopolitical risk analysis, crisis management, business continuity, enterprise risk, duty of care, and operational resilience. The views expressed are personal.)

The lesson from the current situation is that communication benefits from clearly articulating the objective early. Stakeholders want to understand what leadership is trying to achieve. 

By Maitreya Buddha Samantaray In times of war, every statement becomes a strategic act. Words are not merely descriptive. They are instruments of influence, deterrence, reassurance, and control. Governments understand this instinctively. When missiles fly and markets tremble, leaders know that communication is not a supporting function. It is an operational capability. The ongoing tensions in the Middle East provide a striking demonstration of this reality. Beyond the military dimension, conflict is also an intense contest of narratives. Statements from political leaders, defense establishments, and foreign ministries are carefully constructed to shape perception among multiple audiences, including domestic populations, adversaries, allies, financial markets, and the global public. For business leaders, crisis communication often becomes most visible during moments of uncertainty. The patterns emerging from official communications during the conflict offer valuable lessons for corporate leadership, crisis communication teams, CEO offices, and Boards. These lessons are not about geopolitics. They are about the mechanics of leadership under pressure. What we are witnessing is the emergence of a new grammar of crisis communication. Clarity of Objective Creates Stability Messaging from the United States, Israel, and Iran has been marked by relative ambiguity regarding objectives such as deterrence, self-defence, and protection of interests, creating strategic uncertainty. Meanwhile, neutral actors like India employ thoughtful statecraft by maintaining open communication channels with all sides and diversifying relationships without emotional commitment, effectively positioning themselves as potential winners without direct conflict. Complementing this, symbolic gestures such as the UAE President and Dubai Crown Prince appearing publicly at a bustling mall act as powerful reassurances, reinforcing public trust and stability amid regional tensions. Overall, clarity matters because uncertainty fuels instability. Markets react to ambiguity. Employees react to uncertainty. Stakeholders respond to perceived hesitation in leadership. In corporate crises, leaders often issue cautious statements that convey concern while allowing space to understand the evolving situation. Phrases such as “we are monitoring the situation” or “we are assessing developments” can provide time to gather facts. However, stakeholders often seek an understanding of the broader objective guiding leadership decisions. The lesson from the current situation is that communication benefits from clearly articulating the objective early. Stakeholders want to understand what leadership is trying to achieve. Is the priority safety, operational continuity, financial stabilization, or reputational recovery? When the objective is articulated clearly, it anchors the narrative and reduces speculation. Repetition Builds Narrative Authority Another characteristic of wartime messaging is disciplined repetition. Governments return to the same core ideas repeatedly, including security, deterrence, legitimacy, defense, and responsibility. The phrasing may evolve, but the narrative frame remains constant. This repetition is somewhat intentional and ensures that the intended message becomes the dominant interpretation of events. Companies and business leaders can draw insight from this approach. Consistency in language across communications helps stakeholders interpret developments more clearly. A key takeaway of effective crisis communication is message discipline. A small set of core themes can guide every statement, internal briefing, and external update. The objective is not rhetorical creativity but narrative consistency. Separate Strategy from Instruction Official communications during the conflict reveal another important principle. Strategic messaging is separated from operational instruction. Political leaders speak about national objectives and strategic direction. Military and civil defense authorities communicate practical guidance to citizens, including where to go, what to do, and how to remain safe. This distinction prevents confusion. Strategic narratives address the broader situation while operational communications guide immediate behaviour. Organizations can benefit from adopting a similar clarity in communication. Leadership strategic messaging can focus on the broader context and reassure stakeholders about the direction of the organization. Operational communications can provide clear guidance to employees, customers, and partners regarding necessary actions. Corporate leaders may find it helpful to avoid combining strategic messaging and detailed operational instructions within the same communication. When separated appropriately, both messages become clearer and more effective. A structured operational framework for crisis communication involves establishing a leadership-led communication team supported by trained spokespersons authorized to deliver clear, consistent messages. Robust protocols, including emergency call trees, facilitate rapid information flow across the organization. Tailoring communication strategies to key audiences and their specific information needs is essential, supported by scenario planning to prepare for potential disruptions and accurate situation assessment to develop concise messaging. Selecting appropriate channels such as dedicated status pages for detailed operational updates and social media for real-time acknowledgment ensures timely and effective information dissemination. Continuous monitoring of social media and news, coupled with real-time sentiment tracking, enables organizations to gauge public perception dynamically. Finally, measuring specific metrics during and after crises is critical to evaluating the effectiveness of communication efforts in protecting or restoring reputation and financial value. Legitimacy Is as Important as Accuracy A striking feature of statements emerging from Iran is the consistent emphasis on legal and moral framing. References to international law, civilian protection, and sovereignty appear repeatedly in official rhetoric. The goal is not only to present facts but also to position the narrative within a broader moral framework. This reflects an important reality. Crises are judged not only by what happened but also by whether the response appears legitimate. In the business context, stakeholders want to understand not only the facts of a situation but also whether the organization is responding in accordance with its values and principles, including transparency, accountability, fairness, and responsibility. Communication therefore, benefits from articulating both the facts and the standards guiding the response. Legitimacy builds trust even when complete information is still emerging. When responding to regulatory incidents, workplace concerns, or operational disruptions, leaders may find value in emphasizing both factual clarity and procedural integrity. Preserve Strategic Flexibility Another notable aspect of the ongoing conflict’s rhetoric is the use of conditional language. Statements frequently emphasize readiness to escalate or de-escalate depending on circumstances. This language allows leaders to project confidence while preserving room to adapt as events evolve. Corporate leaders may also consider this balance. Avoiding absolute statements about outcomes can help maintain credibility during uncertain situations. Declaring that issues will be resolved immediately or that risks are fully contained may provide short-term reassurance but may not always reflect the evolving reality of a crisis. Strategic communication benefits from balancing confidence with flexibility. Leaders can demonstrate control while allowing space for adjustments as new information becomes available. (About the author: Maitreya Buddha Samantaray is the Convenor of the Crisis Intelligence Community (CIC). With over 18 years of experience in consulting and industry, he specialises in helping organisations navigate complex risks in volatile environments. His expertise includes geopolitical risk analysis, crisis management, business continuity, enterprise risk, duty of care, and operational resilience. The views expressed are personal.)

The lesson from the current situation is that communication benefits from clearly articulating the objective early. Stakeholders want to understand what leadership is trying to achieve.&nbsp;

The new grammar of Corporate Crisis Communication: Lessons from Middle East conflict

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on March 11 that the death toll in Iran could be even higher, putting the figure at 1,825. 

2,600+ dead as US-Israel-Iran conflict expands across the Middle East! Casualty figures from across the region

After the war erupted in West Asia, the US and Israel targeted Iran’s infrastructure. Tehran retaliated by striking key facilities and targeting ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil supply disruptions. The key question now is whether the US will force Iran to reopen the strait?

Can US force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz? Here are three real options: Check inside

Iran's Foreign Minister&nbsp;Abbas Araghchi issued a warning on Saturday (Nov 9) that the conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the Jewish state&nbsp;and Hezbollah in Lebanon might extend beyond the Middle East.

In a speech aired on state TV, Araghchi warned, “The world should know that in case of the expansion of war, its harmful effects will not be limited only to the West Asia region; insecurity and instability can spread to other regions, even far away.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested that the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon could influence Iran’s actions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-20-people-killed-over-40-others-injured-in-blast-at-railway-station-in-pakistans-quetta-774758">Blast at Quetta Railway Station: Death toll at 26 in attack claimed by BLA</a>

“If they (the Israelis)... accept a ceasefire and stop massacring the oppressed and innocent people of the region, it could affect the intensity and type of our response,” Pezeshkian stated at the beginning of this month.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, advised caution in Iran’s response to Israel.

“Israel aims to bring the conflict to Iran. We must act wisely to avoid its trap and not react instinctively,” Larijani said on state television.

On October 26, Israel launched airstrikes on military installations in Iran as a response to Tehran's attack on Israel earlier on October 1. Iran’s strike was in retaliation for the deaths of Iran-supported militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards general.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-truce-talks-presence-of-hamas-in-doha-is-no-longer-accepted-since-us-tells-qatar-774742">'Presence of Hamas in Doha is no longer accepted since...,' US tells Qatar</a>

Iranian officials reported that Israel's October 26 attack resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and minor damage to radar equipment. Additionally, Iranian media noted that a civilian casualty occurred.

Despite warnings from the United States and Israel, Tehran has pledged to retaliate. Last week, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised a powerful response against both Israel and the US for their actions toward Iran.

"The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran, the Iranian people, and the resistance front," Khamenei said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning on Saturday (Nov 9) that the conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the Jewish state and Hezbollah in Lebanon might extend beyond the Middle East.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning on Saturday (Nov 9) that the conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the Jewish state and Hezbollah in Lebanon might extend beyond the Middle East. In a speech aired on state TV, Araghchi warned, “The world should know that in case of the expansion of war, its harmful effects will not be limited only to the West Asia region; insecurity and instability can spread to other regions, even far away.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested that the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon could influence Iran’s actions. Also read: Blast at Quetta Railway Station: Death toll at 26 in attack claimed by BLA “If they (the Israelis)... accept a ceasefire and stop massacring the oppressed and innocent people of the region, it could affect the intensity and type of our response,” Pezeshkian stated at the beginning of this month. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, advised caution in Iran’s response to Israel. “Israel aims to bring the conflict to Iran. We must act wisely to avoid its trap and not react instinctively,” Larijani said on state television. On October 26, Israel launched airstrikes on military installations in Iran as a response to Tehran's attack on Israel earlier on October 1. Iran’s strike was in retaliation for the deaths of Iran-supported militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards general. Also read: 'Presence of Hamas in Doha is no longer accepted since...,' US tells Qatar Iranian officials reported that Israel's October 26 attack resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and minor damage to radar equipment. Additionally, Iranian media noted that a civilian casualty occurred. Despite warnings from the United States and Israel, Tehran has pledged to retaliate. Last week, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised a powerful response against both Israel and the US for their actions toward Iran. "The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran, the Iranian people, and the resistance front," Khamenei said. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran warns of potential 'war expansion,' says conflicts could spread beyond the Middle East

The US will send the THAAD anti-missile system and 100 troops to Israel, which is widely thought to be preparing a response to Iran for its missile attacks on the Jewish country earlier this month, even as it fights Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

The THAAD is a storied missile defence system known for its ability to intercept ballistic missiles. It will boost the already dominant Iron Dome missile defence system of Israel.&nbsp;

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorised the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden, said Pentagon spokesperson Maj Gen Pat Ryder in a statement on Sunday (Oct 13). Biden said in Florida on Sunday that he agreed to the deployment “to defend Israel.”&nbsp;

WATCH: US To Send 'THAAD' Missile Battery To Israel

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<h2>What is THAAD? What are its capabilities? </h2>

THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.&nbsp;THAAD is one of the most advanced missile defence systems of the US.

It is an integrated air and missile defence system built for the US Army&nbsp;by Lockheed Martin, which describes THAAD as a 'highly effective, combat-proven defence against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.'

THAAD is the only US defence system that can intercept incoming missiles from outside and inside the atmosphere.&nbsp;

The US currently has seven THAAD batteries. An eighth system is being built and will be field-ready in 2025.

Each THAAD battery has&nbsp;six launchers mounted on trucks, 48 missile interceptors, as well as radio and radar systems. It takes 95 soldiers to operate one THAAD battery.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-crisis-us-thaad-vs-russian-s-400-missile-defence-system-451457/ukraine-sends-request-to-us-for-thaad-451451">Also read: Ukraine crisis: US THAAD vs Russian S-400 missile defence system</a>

THAAD can intercept targets up to 200 kilometres away. It mainly intercepts and destroys short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

THAAD is operated by the US Army, and the US&nbsp;Missile Defense Agency is responsible for the system. 
 
Highly mobile and deployable worldwide, THAAD can defend population centres and infrastructure in the area of operation. It is interoperable with&nbsp; 
other ballistic missile defence systems like the Patriot system of the US.

<h2>How will the war in Middle East change after THAAD deployment?</h2>

Israel, fighting a multifront war in the Middle East, will get a boost from THAAD as both Hamas and Hezbollah have been firing rockets and missiles across the border.

Israel&nbsp;had done a ground invasion of Lebanon in response to Hezbollah's rocket attacks. It&nbsp;is thought to be preparing a counterstrike against Iran which had dropped up to 180 missiles on October 1, soon after Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran-backed group Hezbollah, was killed by Israel in Lebanon.

The US has been pressing Israel to spare the nuclear and energy facilities of Iran, given the potential ramifications for the global economy.

Iran has already warned the US against sending its military to the region.

The presence of THAAD and the US troops will add more fire to the conflict and risk an all-out-war despite diplomatic efforts to contain the tensions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-israels-iron-dome-missile-defence-system-intercepts-rockets-fired-by-hamas-384586">Also read: How Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas</a> 
 
Last year after the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, the US deployed a THAAD battery to the Middle East, in addition to the Patriot defence system to protect American military assets in the region.

In 2019, the US had sent a THAAD battery to Israel for training purposes, Ryder said.

Israel earlier had the American Patriot defence system for a decade, which has been retired recently.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US will send the THAAD anti-missile system and 100 troops to Israel, which is widely thought to be preparing a response to Iran for its missile attacks on the Jewish country earlier this month, even as it fights Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

The US will send the THAAD anti-missile system and 100 troops to Israel, which is widely thought to be preparing a response to Iran for its missile attacks on the Jewish country earlier this month, even as it fights Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The THAAD is a storied missile defence system known for its ability to intercept ballistic missiles. It will boost the already dominant Iron Dome missile defence system of Israel. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorised the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden, said Pentagon spokesperson Maj Gen Pat Ryder in a statement on Sunday (Oct 13). Biden said in Florida on Sunday that he agreed to the deployment “to defend Israel.” WATCH: US To Send 'THAAD' Missile Battery To Israel × What is THAAD? What are its capabilities? THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. THAAD is one of the most advanced missile defence systems of the US. It is an integrated air and missile defence system built for the US Army by Lockheed Martin, which describes THAAD as a 'highly effective, combat-proven defence against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.' THAAD is the only US defence system that can intercept incoming missiles from outside and inside the atmosphere. The US currently has seven THAAD batteries. An eighth system is being built and will be field-ready in 2025. Each THAAD battery has six launchers mounted on trucks, 48 missile interceptors, as well as radio and radar systems. It takes 95 soldiers to operate one THAAD battery. Also read: Ukraine crisis: US THAAD vs Russian S-400 missile defence system THAAD can intercept targets up to 200 kilometres away. It mainly intercepts and destroys short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missiles. THAAD is operated by the US Army, and the US Missile Defense Agency is responsible for the system. Highly mobile and deployable worldwide, THAAD can defend population centres and infrastructure in the area of operation. It is interoperable with other ballistic missile defence systems like the Patriot system of the US. How will the war in Middle East change after THAAD deployment? Israel, fighting a multifront war in the Middle East, will get a boost from THAAD as both Hamas and Hezbollah have been firing rockets and missiles across the border. Israel had done a ground invasion of Lebanon in response to Hezbollah's rocket attacks. It is thought to be preparing a counterstrike against Iran which had dropped up to 180 missiles on October 1, soon after Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran-backed group Hezbollah, was killed by Israel in Lebanon. The US has been pressing Israel to spare the nuclear and energy facilities of Iran, given the potential ramifications for the global economy. Iran has already warned the US against sending its military to the region. The presence of THAAD and the US troops will add more fire to the conflict and risk an all-out-war despite diplomatic efforts to contain the tensions. Also read: How Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas Last year after the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, the US deployed a THAAD battery to the Middle East, in addition to the Patriot defence system to protect American military assets in the region. In 2019, the US had sent a THAAD battery to Israel for training purposes, Ryder said. Israel earlier had the American Patriot defence system for a decade, which has been retired recently. (With inputs from agencies)

US to send THAAD to Israel. What you should know about this powerful missile defence system

Officials in the United States-led coalition, preparing to counter a potential Iranian attack, have cautioned Israel against a strong response, according to a report on Tuesday (Aug 6).

"Don’t push it," the unnamed officials advised Israel, as reported by Kan news, part of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. "Think carefully before you attack in return. The goal at the end of the day is not to lead to an all-out war."

In April, a significant drone and missile attack from Iran was thwarted by a coalition that reportedly included Israel, the United States, Britain, France, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

Watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hezbollah conflict: Foreigners flee Lebanon amid fear of conflict

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Iran vowed to take action on Monday, saying that Israel must be "punished" for the death of Hamas militant group leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This raised concerns that Iran's retaliation may push the already unstable Middle East toward a full-scale conflict.

In addition, Hezbollah, an Iran-backed&nbsp;militant&nbsp;group acting as a proxy, has also vowed to attack Israel from Lebanon after its military chief, Fuad Shukr, was killed in a strike in Beirut last week.&nbsp;

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US sources, reported that Iran has been moving missile launchers and doing military manoeuvres lately, raising the possibility of an impending strike.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-israels-finance-minister-orders-seizure-of-26-million-of-palestinian-tax-funds-747406">Gaza war: Israel's finance minister orders seizure of $26 million in Palestinian tax funds</a>

According to an American&nbsp;official, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received a briefing on Monday from their national security team, which said that the timing of prospective assaults by Iran and Hezbollah is still unknown. The representative added that nothing is known about "the specifics of such an attack."

President Biden and VP Harris got an update on US military support for Israel's defence against any threats from Iran, the White House reported during a national security meeting on Monday. Along with discussing ways to ease tensions, they also looked at the current ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-officials-say-eight-dead-in-israel-west-bank-raids-747666">Palestinian officials say eight dead in Israel West Bank raids</a>

Biden and Harris addressed the Monday missile strike on a US military post in Iraq, according to the statement. Washington&nbsp;says it intends to respond "in the manner and place of our choosing."

According to the US State Department, Washington has been pushing other countries to send a message to Iran advising against any more escalation.

“Iran seeks to establish stability in the region, but this will only come with punishing the aggressor and creating deterrence against the adventurism of the Zionist regime,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani, adding that action from Tehran was inevitable.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Officials in the United States-led coalition, preparing to counter a potential Iranian attack, have cautioned Israel against a strong response, according to a report on Tuesday (Aug 6).

Officials in the United States-led coalition, preparing to counter a potential Iranian attack, have cautioned Israel against a strong response, according to a report on Tuesday (Aug 6). "Don’t push it," the unnamed officials advised Israel, as reported by Kan news, part of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. "Think carefully before you attack in return. The goal at the end of the day is not to lead to an all-out war." In April, a significant drone and missile attack from Iran was thwarted by a coalition that reportedly included Israel, the United States, Britain, France, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Watch | Israel-Hezbollah conflict: Foreigners flee Lebanon amid fear of conflict × Iran vowed to take action on Monday, saying that Israel must be "punished" for the death of Hamas militant group leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This raised concerns that Iran's retaliation may push the already unstable Middle East toward a full-scale conflict. In addition, Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group acting as a proxy, has also vowed to attack Israel from Lebanon after its military chief, Fuad Shukr, was killed in a strike in Beirut last week. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US sources, reported that Iran has been moving missile launchers and doing military manoeuvres lately, raising the possibility of an impending strike. Also read: Gaza war: Israel's finance minister orders seizure of $26 million in Palestinian tax funds According to an American official, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received a briefing on Monday from their national security team, which said that the timing of prospective assaults by Iran and Hezbollah is still unknown. The representative added that nothing is known about "the specifics of such an attack." President Biden and VP Harris got an update on US military support for Israel's defence against any threats from Iran, the White House reported during a national security meeting on Monday. Along with discussing ways to ease tensions, they also looked at the current ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas. Also read: Palestinian officials say eight dead in Israel West Bank raids Biden and Harris addressed the Monday missile strike on a US military post in Iraq, according to the statement. Washington says it intends to respond "in the manner and place of our choosing." According to the US State Department, Washington has been pushing other countries to send a message to Iran advising against any more escalation. “Iran seeks to establish stability in the region, but this will only come with punishing the aggressor and creating deterrence against the adventurism of the Zionist regime,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani, adding that action from Tehran was inevitable. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Israel urged by US, allies to limit response to imminent Iran attack: 'Think carefully before...'

The military claimed that an Israeli attack had hit Hamas command centres, but Gaza's civil defence service said that the strike had struck two schools in Gaza City on Sunday, killing at least 30 people.

The military claimed that an Israeli attack had hit Hamas command centres, but Gaza's civil defence service said that the strike had struck two schools in Gaza City on Sunday, killing at least 30 people. Based on a count of tolls previously provided by Hamas officials, these make up the total number of schools in Gaza that have been attacked since July 6 at least 11, killing around 150 people. "The number of martyrs in the massacre of the Hassan Salameh and Al-Nasr schools' bombing has risen to 30. Dozens were also wounded," civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. According to a civil defence spokesman, women and children made up the majority of the wounded and deceased. He stated that the schools housed Palestinians who had been displaced as a result of the continuing conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists. The two schools were the target of an attack that was verified by the Israeli military. Watch | Security chiefs accuse Israeli PM Netanyahu of sabotaging hostage talks, says report × The Israeli military said in a statement, "The schools were used by Hamas' Al-Furqan Battalion as a hiding place for its terrorist operatives and as command centres." According to the civil defence agency, a similar Israeli attack happened on Saturday in Gaza City, hitting another school compound and killing at least 17 people. Hamas has been accused by the Israeli military on many occasions of hiding its commanders and militants and utilising civilian buildings as command and control centres. Hamas refutes these accusations According to an AFP count based on official Israeli data, 1,197 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives in the October 7 attack by Hamas militants in Israel, which marked the start of the Gaza War. Militants also abducted 251 persons, 111 of whom are still hostages in Gaza, including 39 who the IDF claims are dead. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, claims that Israel's retaliation has killed at least 39,583 people. Nations advise citizens to leave Lebanon as war fears surge On Sunday, the urgency for foreign nationals to leave Lebanon intensified, with France warning of a tense situation as Iran and its allies prepared to react to high-profile killings attributed to Israel. Saudi Arabia, along with France, Canada, and Jordan, urged their citizens to leave Lebanon. The United States and Britain issued similar warnings. France also advised its nationals in Iran to "temporarily leave," citing potential closures of Iranian airspace and airports. Also read: West Asia crisis: Several nations advise citizens to leave Lebanon Several Western airlines have halted flights to Lebanon and other regional airports. Qatar Airways announced on Sunday that its Doha-Beirut route would "operate exclusively during daylight hours" at least until Monday. Hezbollah, Lebanon's Iran-backed militant group, which has been engaging in almost daily skirmishes with Israeli forces since the Gaza conflict started in October, declared that its fighters launched a new rocket barrage at northern Israel overnight into Sunday. US says it's prepared for 'every possibility' as Middle East tensions rise After the Pentagon announced an increased US military presence in the Middle East, White House Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer affirmed, "We are preparing for every possibility." Speaking on ABC News, Finer added, "The Pentagon is moving significant assets to the region, to prepare for what may be another need to defend Israel from an attack, while simultaneously we are working very hard to deescalate this situation diplomatically because we do not believe that a regional war is in anyone's interest in the current moment." (With inputs from agencies)

Israel Hamas war: Israeli strikes hit Gaza schools, hospital; nations advise citizens to leave Lebanon

Israeli missiles apparently hit a site in Iran, US-based media reported late on Thursday (Apr 18), now details have emerged which revealed the type of missile used by Israel, the exact target, and also the possible intention.&nbsp;

Explosions were heard close to a major Iranian military airbase near Isfahan after the alleged strike by Israel, which was basically a signal to tell the world that it could target sites deep inside Iran, after bypassing defence systems.&nbsp;

Previous reports have noted that Isfahan, which is an Iranian military airbase, houses squadrons of f-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. It also has significant sites including military research and development facilities and bases. A nearby city, Natanz, is home to one of the country's nuclear enrichment sites.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/driven-by-war-and-conflicts-global-military-spending-rose-to-all-time-high-in-2023-sipri-report-713841">Driven by war and conflicts, global military spending rose to all-time high in 2023</a>&nbsp;

A high-tech missile, which was able to evade Iran's radar systems, was used by Israel, The New York Times reported. It was believed to be a well-planned move by Israel "calibrated to make Iran think twice" before launching a direct attack on Israel in future.&nbsp;

The strike reportedly damaged a defence system which was responsible for detecting and destroying aerial threats near Natanz, the report stated citing two Western officials and two Iranian officials.&nbsp;

The Israeli weapon had struck an Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft system at a military base in the nearby province of Isfahan, said two Iranian officials, who also showed satellite imagery which was analysed by the media outlet. The satellite images showed damage to the radar of an S-300 system at the Eighth Shekari Air Base in Isfahan in central Iran.&nbsp;

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Umbra synthetic aperture radar imagery acquired 0648Z 19APR2024 showed evidence of damage to the Iranian S-300PMU2 strategic surface-to-air missile battery in Isfahan since 15APR2024. A probable damaged 30N6E target engagement radar was visible in imagery still on the radar… <a href="https://t.co/eqMFTanPOH">pic.twitter.com/eqMFTanPOH</a>
— Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSBiggers/status/1781436224248435107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Watch:&nbsp;Netanyahu vs Gallant: Netanyahu accuses Gallant over leaking info

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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-israeli-military-intelligence-chief-quits-over-failure-to-prevent-oct-7-attack-713805">Israeli military intelligence chief quits over failure to prevent Oct 7 attack</a>&nbsp;

<h2>How did Iran react?&nbsp;</h2>

Israel hasn't claimed responsibility, and Tehran also played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation. Iran's foreign minister said the drones were "mini-drones" and that they had caused no damage or casualties.

Media also aired conflicting reports with most of them and some officials describing the incident as a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from air defences hitting three drones over Isfahan. They referred to the incident as an attack by "infiltrators", rather than by Israel.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving &nbsp;Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli missiles apparently hit a site in Iran, US-based media reported late on Thursday (Apr 18), now details have emerged which revealed the type of missile used by Israel, the exact target, and also the possible intention.

Israeli missiles apparently hit a site in Iran, US-based media reported late on Thursday (Apr 18), now details have emerged which revealed the type of missile used by Israel, the exact target, and also the possible intention. Explosions were heard close to a major Iranian military airbase near Isfahan after the alleged strike by Israel, which was basically a signal to tell the world that it could target sites deep inside Iran, after bypassing defence systems. Previous reports have noted that Isfahan, which is an Iranian military airbase, houses squadrons of f-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. It also has significant sites including military research and development facilities and bases. A nearby city, Natanz, is home to one of the country's nuclear enrichment sites. Also read: Driven by war and conflicts, global military spending rose to all-time high in 2023 A high-tech missile, which was able to evade Iran's radar systems, was used by Israel, The New York Times reported. It was believed to be a well-planned move by Israel "calibrated to make Iran think twice" before launching a direct attack on Israel in future. The strike reportedly damaged a defence system which was responsible for detecting and destroying aerial threats near Natanz, the report stated citing two Western officials and two Iranian officials. The Israeli weapon had struck an Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft system at a military base in the nearby province of Isfahan, said two Iranian officials, who also showed satellite imagery which was analysed by the media outlet. The satellite images showed damage to the radar of an S-300 system at the Eighth Shekari Air Base in Isfahan in central Iran. Umbra synthetic aperture radar imagery acquired 0648Z 19APR2024 showed evidence of damage to the Iranian S-300PMU2 strategic surface-to-air missile battery in Isfahan since 15APR2024. A probable damaged 30N6E target engagement radar was visible in imagery still on the radar… pic.twitter.com/eqMFTanPOH — Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) April 19, 2024 × Watch: Netanyahu vs Gallant: Netanyahu accuses Gallant over leaking info × Also read: Israeli military intelligence chief quits over failure to prevent Oct 7 attack How did Iran react? Israel hasn't claimed responsibility, and Tehran also played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation. Iran's foreign minister said the drones were "mini-drones" and that they had caused no damage or casualties. Media also aired conflicting reports with most of them and some officials describing the incident as a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from air defences hitting three drones over Isfahan. They referred to the incident as an attack by "infiltrators", rather than by Israel. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli missile was warning to Tehran, it evaded Iran’s radar systems: Report

What impact is COVID-19 having on war-torn areas like Yemen, Syria, Libya

At least 50 people were killed in a stampede as tens of thousands of mourners packed streets for the funeral of a slain Iranian military commander in his hometown on Tuesday, forcing his burial to be delayed by several hours, state media said.

General Qasem Soleimani's burial began in the late afternoon in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman, four days after his killing in a US&nbsp;drone strike in Iraq that plunged the region into a new crisis and raised fears of a broader conflict.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-never-have-a-nuclear-weapon-says-trump-as-tehran-mourns-suleimani-272585">Also Read:&nbsp;Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, says Trump as Tehran mourns Suleimani</a>

"A few minutes ago his body was transferred to the martyrs' section of Kerman cemetery," the semi-official news agency ISNA reported, adding that Soleimani's internment had begun.

Watch:&nbsp;

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A senior Iranian official said Tehran was considering several scenarios to avenge his killing. Other senior figures have said Iran will match the scale of Soleimani's killing when it responds, but that it will choose the time and place.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/crazy-trump-dont-think-that-everything-is-over-with-my-fathers-martyrdom-zeinab-soleimani-daughter-of-qassem-soleimani-272535">In Pics: Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over, says Zeinab, daughter of Qasem Soleimani</a>

Tuesday's stampede broke out amid the crush of mourners, killing 50 people, Iran's ISNA news agency said, quoting the chief coroner for Kerman province, Abbas Amian. About 213 people were injured, an emergency services official told the semi-official Fars news agency.

"Today because of the heavy congestion of the crowd, unfortunately, a number of our fellow citizens who were mourning were injured and a number were killed," emergency medical services chief Pir Hossein Kolivand told state television.

Watch:&nbsp;

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The body of Soleimani, a national hero to many Iranians but viewed as a dangerous villain by Western governments opposed to the Islamic Republic, had been taken to Iraqi and Iranian cities before arriving in Kerman for burial.

In each place, huge numbers of people filled thoroughfares, chanting "Death to America" and weeping with emotion. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shed tears when leading prayers in Tehran.

Soleimani, who commanded the elite Quds Force, was responsible for building up Tehran's network of proxy armies across the Middle East. He was a key figure in orchestrating Iran's long-standing campaign to drive US forces out of Iraq.

Iran's opponents say its proxies have fuelled conflicts, killing and displacing people in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Tehran says any operations abroad are at the request of governments and that it offers "advisory support".

The US defence secretary denied reports the U.S. military was preparing to withdraw from Iraq, where Tehran has vied with Washington for influence since the 2003 US invasion.

Revenge

"We will take revenge, hard and definitive revenge," the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami, told the crowds in Kerman before the stampede.

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said 13 "revenge scenarios" were being considered, Fars news agency reported. Even the weakest option would prove "a historic nightmare for the Americans," he said.

Iran, whose coastline runs along a Gulf oil shipping route that includes the narrow Strait of Hormuz, has allied forces across the Middle East through which it can act. Representatives from those groups, including the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, attended funeral events in Tehran.

Despite its strident rhetoric, analysts say Iran will want to avoid any conventional conflict with the United States and is likely to focus on asymmetric strikes, such as sabotage or other military action via proxies.

Trump has promised to target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliates.

Reuters and other media reported on Monday that the US military had sent a letter to Iraqi officials informing them US troops were preparing to leave. But US Defense Secretary Mark Esper denied there had been any decision to pull out.

About 5,000 US troops are still in Iraq, where there has been a US military presence since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003.

Friction

Iraq's parliament, dominated by lawmakers representing Muslim Shi'ite groups who have been united by the killing of Soleimani alongside an Iraqi militia leader, passed a resolution on Sunday calling for all foreign troops to leave.

Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Abdel Abdul Mahdi told the US ambassador to Baghdad the resolution must be implemented.

Friction between Iran and the United States has risen since Washington withdrew in 2018 from a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

The United States has imposed new economic sanctions on Iran, slashing Iranian oil exports, and Tehran said on Sunday it was dropping limitations on uranium enrichment, in its latest step back from commitments to the deal.

Washington denied a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to allow him to attend a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday, a US official said.

Trump's US political rivals have challenged his decision to order the killing of Soleimani and questioned its timing in a US election year. His administration said Soleimani was planning new attacks on US interests without giving evidence.

US general Milley said the threat from Soleimani was imminent. "We would have been culpably negligent to the American people had we not made the decision we made," he said.

Trump administration officials will provide a classified briefing for US senators on Wednesday on events in Iraq after some lawmakers accused the White House of risking a broad conflict without a strategy.

At least 50 people were killed in a stampede as tens of thousands of mourners packed streets for the funeral of a slain Iranian military commander in his hometown on Tuesday, forcing his burial to be delayed by several hours, state media said.

At least 50 people were killed in a stampede as tens of thousands of mourners packed streets for the funeral of a slain Iranian military commander in his hometown on Tuesday, forcing his burial to be delayed by several hours, state media said. General Qasem Soleimani's burial began in the late afternoon in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman, four days after his killing in a US drone strike in Iraq that plunged the region into a new crisis and raised fears of a broader conflict. Also Read: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, says Trump as Tehran mourns Suleimani "A few minutes ago his body was transferred to the martyrs' section of Kerman cemetery," the semi-official news agency ISNA reported, adding that Soleimani's internment had begun. Watch: A senior Iranian official said Tehran was considering several scenarios to avenge his killing. Other senior figures have said Iran will match the scale of Soleimani's killing when it responds, but that it will choose the time and place. In Pics: Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over, says Zeinab, daughter of Qasem Soleimani Tuesday's stampede broke out amid the crush of mourners, killing 50 people, Iran's ISNA news agency said, quoting the chief coroner for Kerman province, Abbas Amian. About 213 people were injured, an emergency services official told the semi-official Fars news agency. "Today because of the heavy congestion of the crowd, unfortunately, a number of our fellow citizens who were mourning were injured and a number were killed," emergency medical services chief Pir Hossein Kolivand told state television. Watch: The body of Soleimani, a national hero to many Iranians but viewed as a dangerous villain by Western governments opposed to the Islamic Republic, had been taken to Iraqi and Iranian cities before arriving in Kerman for burial. In each place, huge numbers of people filled thoroughfares, chanting "Death to America" and weeping with emotion. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shed tears when leading prayers in Tehran. Soleimani, who commanded the elite Quds Force, was responsible for building up Tehran's network of proxy armies across the Middle East. He was a key figure in orchestrating Iran's long-standing campaign to drive US forces out of Iraq. Iran's opponents say its proxies have fuelled conflicts, killing and displacing people in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Tehran says any operations abroad are at the request of governments and that it offers "advisory support". The US defence secretary denied reports the U.S. military was preparing to withdraw from Iraq, where Tehran has vied with Washington for influence since the 2003 US invasion. Revenge "We will take revenge, hard and definitive revenge," the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami, told the crowds in Kerman before the stampede. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said 13 "revenge scenarios" were being considered, Fars news agency reported. Even the weakest option would prove "a historic nightmare for the Americans," he said. Iran, whose coastline runs along a Gulf oil shipping route that includes the narrow Strait of Hormuz, has allied forces across the Middle East through which it can act. Representatives from those groups, including the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, attended funeral events in Tehran. Despite its strident rhetoric, analysts say Iran will want to avoid any conventional conflict with the United States and is likely to focus on asymmetric strikes, such as sabotage or other military action via proxies. Trump has promised to target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliates. Reuters and other media reported on Monday that the US military had sent a letter to Iraqi officials informing them US troops were preparing to leave. But US Defense Secretary Mark Esper denied there had been any decision to pull out. About 5,000 US troops are still in Iraq, where there has been a US military presence since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. Friction Iraq's parliament, dominated by lawmakers representing Muslim Shi'ite groups who have been united by the killing of Soleimani alongside an Iraqi militia leader, passed a resolution on Sunday calling for all foreign troops to leave. Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Abdel Abdul Mahdi told the US ambassador to Baghdad the resolution must be implemented. Friction between Iran and the United States has risen since Washington withdrew in 2018 from a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. The United States has imposed new economic sanctions on Iran, slashing Iranian oil exports, and Tehran said on Sunday it was dropping limitations on uranium enrichment, in its latest step back from commitments to the deal. Washington denied a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to allow him to attend a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday, a US official said. Trump's US political rivals have challenged his decision to order the killing of Soleimani and questioned its timing in a US election year. His administration said Soleimani was planning new attacks on US interests without giving evidence. US general Milley said the threat from Soleimani was imminent. "We would have been culpably negligent to the American people had we not made the decision we made," he said. Trump administration officials will provide a classified briefing for US senators on Wednesday on events in Iraq after some lawmakers accused the White House of risking a broad conflict without a strategy.

At least 50 killed in stampede at Iranian general's funeral, burial postponed

A deadly stampede erupted on Tuesday at the funeral procession for a top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, killing 35 people and injuring 48 others.

The procession was being held in Soleimani's hometown of Kerman, where he will be laid to rest later in the day, according to state media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-never-have-a-nuclear-weapon-says-trump-as-tehran-mourns-suleimani-272585">Also Read:&nbsp;Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, says Trump as Tehran mourns Suleimani</a>

"Unfortunately because of overcrowding 32 of our citizens lost their lives in the procession... and 190 were injured," the head of the country's emergency services, Pirhossein Koolivand, told the channel.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/crazy-trump-dont-think-that-everything-is-over-with-my-fathers-martyrdom-zeinab-soleimani-daughter-of-qassem-soleimani-272535">In Pics: Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over, says Zeinab, daughter of Qasem Soleimani</a>

The injured were immediately transferred to hospital, he added.

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-soleimani-killed-thousands-mourn-the-generals-death-in-tehran-272594/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

AFP correspondents in Kerman said the streets of the southeastern city were packed with mourners for the funeral of Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani in his hometown.

People were seen taking refuge on hillsides around the city on state television.

Soleimani, the hugely popular head of the Guards' Quds Force, was assassinated on Friday in a US drone strike near Baghdad international airport, an operation that shocked the Islamic republic.

Tuesday's funeral comes after days of processions through the southwestern city of Ahvaz and the shrine cities of Qom and Mashhad as well as the capital Tehran.

(With inputs from AFP)

A deadly stampede erupted on Tuesday at the funeral procession for a top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, killing 35 people and injuring 48 others. The procession was being held in Soleimani's hometown of Kerman, where he will be laid to rest later in the day, according to state media.

A deadly stampede erupted on Tuesday at the funeral procession for a top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, killing 35 people and injuring 48 others. The procession was being held in Soleimani's hometown of Kerman, where he will be laid to rest later in the day, according to state media. Also Read: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, says Trump as Tehran mourns Suleimani "Unfortunately because of overcrowding 32 of our citizens lost their lives in the procession... and 190 were injured," the head of the country's emergency services, Pirhossein Koolivand, told the channel. In Pics: Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over, says Zeinab, daughter of Qasem Soleimani The injured were immediately transferred to hospital, he added. Watch: AFP correspondents in Kerman said the streets of the southeastern city were packed with mourners for the funeral of Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani in his hometown. People were seen taking refuge on hillsides around the city on state television. Soleimani, the hugely popular head of the Guards' Quds Force, was assassinated on Friday in a US drone strike near Baghdad international airport, an operation that shocked the Islamic republic. Tuesday's funeral comes after days of processions through the southwestern city of Ahvaz and the shrine cities of Qom and Mashhad as well as the capital Tehran. (With inputs from AFP)

Stampede kills 35 at slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani's funeral

The killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani has further opened the door to a potential restructuring of the Gulf’s security architecture.

In line with an Iranian plan launched at last year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by President Hassan Rouhani that calls for a security architecture that would exclude external forces, cooler heads in Tehran argue that expulsion of all US troops from the Middle East would constitute revenge for Soleimani’s assassination.

While it likely would be a drawn-out process, Iraq’s parliament took a first step by unanimously asking the government in the absence of Kurdish and Sunni Muslim deputies to expel US forces from the country.

Ultimately, Iran may at best get only part of its wants.

Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has dialled back his initial support of Parliament’s demand, saying that any withdrawal would involve only US combat forces and not training and logistical support for the Iraqi military.

Similarly, Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar are unlikely to expel US forces and bases.

That does not mean that the foundation for the Gulf’s security architecture, grounded in a US defence umbrella primarily to shield the region’s energy-rich monarchies from potential Iranian aggression, is not shifting.

In fact, it was already shifting prior to the killing of Soleimani.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE that long supported US President Donald J Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran, involving the US withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program and the imposition of harsh economic sanctions, began hedging their bets in the second half of last year.

The Gulf may have on an emotive level privately celebrated the death of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s use of proxies across the Middle East, but in a more rational analysis fear that his killing may have opened a Pandora’s box that could lead the region to all-out war.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE called for a de-escalation in the wake of the killing as Khalid bin Salman, the kingdom’s deputy defence minister and brother of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, travelled to Washington and London to urge restraint.

Ironically, the killing of Soleimani rather than strategically pleasing Gulf leaders may have reinforced concerns that they no longer can fully rely on the United States as their sole security guarantor.

If the United States’ refusal last year to respond forcefully to a string of Iranian provocations sparked Gulf doubts, Solemani’s killing raises the spectre of US overreach when it does.

Trump’s threat to attack Iranian cultural sites, despite animosity towards Iran and anti-Shiite sentiment in some Gulf quarters, is likely to have reinforced that concern.

The Gulf states’ hedging of their bets will not make Rouhani’s proposal any more attractive but it has already led to direct and indirect diplomacy by the UAE and Saudi Arabia to reduce tension with Iran.

Solemani was killed on the morning that he reportedly was to deliver to Abdul Mahdi, the Iraqi Prime Minister, an Iranian response to a Saudi initiative to defuse tension.

While Rouhani’s proposal is a non-starter, it contains one element that could prove to have legs: some form of non-aggression agreement or understanding between the Gulf states and Iran.

The notion of an understanding on non-aggression would stroke with a Russian proposal for an alternative multilateral arrangement that calls for a regional security conference along the lines of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE.

Unlike Rouhani’s proposition, the Russian proposal would involve multiple external powers, including Russia, China and India, but, in the knowledge that no country can as of now replace the United States militarily, be centred on US military muscle.

The proposal, endorsed by China, potentially could cater to Trump’s demand for burden-sharing and financial compensation for a continued US role in security across the globe.

Russian officials and surrogates for the Kremlin stress that the proposal seeks to capitalize on the United States’ mushrooming predicament in the Middle East but does not mean that Russia was willing to make the kind of commitment that would position it as an alternative to the US.

Similarly, the nature of China’s participation in last month’s first-ever joint Chinese-Russian-Iranian naval exercise signalled that closer Chinese military ties with a host of Middle Eastern nations did not translate into Chinese aspirations for a greater role in regional security any time soon.

China contributed elements of its anti-piracy fleet that were already in Somali waters to protect commercial vessels as well as peacekeeping and humanitarian relief personnel rather than combat troops.

As they hedge their bets, Gulf states may want to take their time in thinking about a more multilateral security arrangement that includes but goes beyond the United States.

The Gulf states’ problem is&nbsp;fast-moving and to some degree, unpredictable developments in the Middle East could change their calculus.

That is also true for Russia and particularly China that has long maintained that its security interests in the region, based on the ability to freeride on the US defence umbrella, were best served by mutually beneficial economic and trade relations.

Increasingly that approach could prove unsustainable.

Said Jiang Xudong, a Middle East scholar at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences: “Economic investment will not solve all other problems when there are religious and ethnic conflicts.”

Xudong could just as well have included power struggles and regional rivalries in his analysis. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani has further opened the door to a potential restructuring of the Gulf’s security architecture. In line with an Iranian plan launched at last year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by President Hassan Rouhani that calls for a security architecture that would exclude external forces, cooler heads in Tehran argue that expulsion of all US troops from the Middle East would constitute revenge for Soleimani’s assassination.

The killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani has further opened the door to a potential restructuring of the Gulf’s security architecture. In line with an Iranian plan launched at last year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by President Hassan Rouhani that calls for a security architecture that would exclude external forces, cooler heads in Tehran argue that expulsion of all US troops from the Middle East would constitute revenge for Soleimani’s assassination. While it likely would be a drawn-out process, Iraq’s parliament took a first step by unanimously asking the government in the absence of Kurdish and Sunni Muslim deputies to expel US forces from the country. Ultimately, Iran may at best get only part of its wants. Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has dialled back his initial support of Parliament’s demand, saying that any withdrawal would involve only US combat forces and not training and logistical support for the Iraqi military. Similarly, Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar are unlikely to expel US forces and bases. That does not mean that the foundation for the Gulf’s security architecture, grounded in a US defence umbrella primarily to shield the region’s energy-rich monarchies from potential Iranian aggression, is not shifting. In fact, it was already shifting prior to the killing of Soleimani. Saudi Arabia and the UAE that long supported US President Donald J Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran, involving the US withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program and the imposition of harsh economic sanctions, began hedging their bets in the second half of last year. The Gulf may have on an emotive level privately celebrated the death of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s use of proxies across the Middle East, but in a more rational analysis fear that his killing may have opened a Pandora’s box that could lead the region to all-out war. Saudi Arabia and the UAE called for a de-escalation in the wake of the killing as Khalid bin Salman, the kingdom’s deputy defence minister and brother of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, travelled to Washington and London to urge restraint. Ironically, the killing of Soleimani rather than strategically pleasing Gulf leaders may have reinforced concerns that they no longer can fully rely on the United States as their sole security guarantor. If the United States’ refusal last year to respond forcefully to a string of Iranian provocations sparked Gulf doubts, Solemani’s killing raises the spectre of US overreach when it does. Trump’s threat to attack Iranian cultural sites, despite animosity towards Iran and anti-Shiite sentiment in some Gulf quarters, is likely to have reinforced that concern. The Gulf states’ hedging of their bets will not make Rouhani’s proposal any more attractive but it has already led to direct and indirect diplomacy by the UAE and Saudi Arabia to reduce tension with Iran. Solemani was killed on the morning that he reportedly was to deliver to Abdul Mahdi, the Iraqi Prime Minister, an Iranian response to a Saudi initiative to defuse tension. While Rouhani’s proposal is a non-starter, it contains one element that could prove to have legs: some form of non-aggression agreement or understanding between the Gulf states and Iran. The notion of an understanding on non-aggression would stroke with a Russian proposal for an alternative multilateral arrangement that calls for a regional security conference along the lines of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE. Unlike Rouhani’s proposition, the Russian proposal would involve multiple external powers, including Russia, China and India, but, in the knowledge that no country can as of now replace the United States militarily, be centred on US military muscle. The proposal, endorsed by China, potentially could cater to Trump’s demand for burden-sharing and financial compensation for a continued US role in security across the globe. Russian officials and surrogates for the Kremlin stress that the proposal seeks to capitalize on the United States’ mushrooming predicament in the Middle East but does not mean that Russia was willing to make the kind of commitment that would position it as an alternative to the US. Similarly, the nature of China’s participation in last month’s first-ever joint Chinese-Russian-Iranian naval exercise signalled that closer Chinese military ties with a host of Middle Eastern nations did not translate into Chinese aspirations for a greater role in regional security any time soon. China contributed elements of its anti-piracy fleet that were already in Somali waters to protect commercial vessels as well as peacekeeping and humanitarian relief personnel rather than combat troops. As they hedge their bets, Gulf states may want to take their time in thinking about a more multilateral security arrangement that includes but goes beyond the United States. The Gulf states’ problem is fast-moving and to some degree, unpredictable developments in the Middle East could change their calculus. That is also true for Russia and particularly China that has long maintained that its security interests in the region, based on the ability to freeride on the US defence umbrella, were best served by mutually beneficial economic and trade relations. Increasingly that approach could prove unsustainable. Said Jiang Xudong, a Middle East scholar at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences: “Economic investment will not solve all other problems when there are religious and ethnic conflicts.” Xudong could just as well have included power struggles and regional rivalries in his analysis. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Qasem Soleimani’s death opens a door to alternative security arrangements in the Gulf

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-success-on-turkey-syria-border-safe-zone-created-trump-257746">Donald Trump</a> ended sanctions against Turkey on Wednesday, drawing a line under American involvement in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-islamic-state-prisoners-have-escaped-in-syria-us-envoy-257768">"blood-stained" Syria</a>, as Turkish and Russian troops seized territory previously held by US troops and their beleaguered Kurdish allies.

"Let someone else fight over this long blood-stained sand," Trump said in a White House speech that formalized the ceding of power in northern Syria to Ankara and increasingly influential Moscow.

Trump said he was lifting the sanctions because a ceasefire was holding in the area, which Turkey invaded to drive Kurdish military groups from their strongholds.

Trump called the ceasefire, which allowed the Turkish takeover to proceed largely unopposed, a "major breakthrough."

Rejecting accusations that he betrayed the Syrian Kurds -- who suffered thousands of casualties fighting alongside US troops against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group -- Trump said they were happy.

The president said the Kurdish commander in the country, Mazloum Abdi, had just told him he was "extremely thankful."

Ankara ordered a cross-border operation into Syria on October 9 because it said it wanted to create a security cordon free of Kurdish armed groups that it considers to be terrorists, linked to Kurdish rebels inside Turkey.

The long-planned operation started after Trump announced the exit of the small, but politically significant US military force which had until then been closely allied with the Kurds.

Trump said he didn't want the US troops caught in the middle of a Turkish-Kurdish war.

Accused both by Republicans and Democrats of abandoning the Kurds, Trump imposed sanctions on Turkey on October 14 and sent a delegation to persuade Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to order a brief ceasefire.

In a tweet from a spokesman on Wednesday, Abdi thanked Trump "for his tireless efforts that stopped the brutal Turkish attack and jihadist groups on our people."

A group of US senators called in a Wednesday letter for US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to expedite a visa for Abdi so the government could "hear directly... about the situation on the ground and the fight" against IS.

Russians move in

As US soldiers and the Kurds exited areas near Turkey's border, Turkish troops and Russian troops, who have propped up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad through his country's multi-sided civil war, moved in.

The first Russian patrol in northern Syria got underway on Wednesday, the defense ministry in Moscow announced.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu talked with Abdi and reassured him that civilians would not have to leave their homes, a spokesman said -- apparently addressing allegations that Turkey will seek ethnic cleansing in the region.

Critics of Trump say he has caved in to Turkey and been outplayed by Russia.

"It is unthinkable that Turkey would not suffer consequences for malevolent behavior which was contrary to the interests of the United States and our friends," tweeted Republican Senator Mitt Romney.

But Trump insisted that the power shift is a win for Washington, because he is fulfilling a campaign promise to step away from "ancient sectarian and tribal conflicts."

Islamic State escapees

Trump said there was no risk that the turmoil in the area could lead to a reconstitution of the Islamic State, which has lost its once sizeable territories and has thousands of members and their relatives kept in camps controlled by the Kurds.

With concerns that the Kurds may no longer be able to monitor Islamic State prisoners, Trump said he expects Turkey to "abide by its commitment" to act as a "back-up to the Kurds."

"Should something happen, Turkey is there to grab them," he said.

He was speaking shortly after a US State Department official, James Jeffrey, testified in Congress that "over 100" Islamic State prisoners had escaped so far and "we do not know where they are."

Trump said that a "small number" of US soldiers would remain nearby, but purely to guard oil facilities.

His central message was clear: that the United States has no business in Syria and that there was never any question of trying to stop NATO member Turkey from carrying out its invasion.

"We have spent $8 trillion on wars in the Middle East, never really wanting to win those wars," Trump said.

However, the isolationist policy grates on many Republicans, whom he is depending upon to save him from a Democratic push to impeach and remove him from office over allegations that he abused his office.

Immediately after the speech, powerful Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the United States had to stay engaged.

The US air power must "continue to control the skies over Syria" he said, adding that the military should "have a small -- but capable -- military partnership" with the Kurds to prevent Islamic State from reemerging.

'Kill, displace and occupy'

The Turkish-occupied area was calm, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said on Wednesday.

However, explosions hit various parts of Syria's northeast, including the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli and the town of Suluk in the Tal Abyad region near Turkey's border.

The car bomb in Qamishli did not cause casualties, according to the Observatory. But the blast in Suluk, controlled by Ankara's rebel proxies, killed three fighters, a rebel commander there told AFP.

It was unclear who was responsible for the blasts.

Kurds staged angry demonstrations Wednesday in their de facto capital Qamishli.

"This deal serves the interests of foreign powers and not the interests of the people," said official Talaat Youndes.

"Turkey's objective is to kill, displace and occupy the Kurds."

President Donald Trump ended sanctions against Turkey on Wednesday, drawing a line under American involvement in "blood-stained" Syria, as Turkish and Russian troops seized territory previously held by US troops and their beleaguered Kurdish allies.

President Donald Trump ended sanctions against Turkey on Wednesday, drawing a line under American involvement in "blood-stained" Syria, as Turkish and Russian troops seized territory previously held by US troops and their beleaguered Kurdish allies. "Let someone else fight over this long blood-stained sand," Trump said in a White House speech that formalized the ceding of power in northern Syria to Ankara and increasingly influential Moscow. Trump said he was lifting the sanctions because a ceasefire was holding in the area, which Turkey invaded to drive Kurdish military groups from their strongholds. Trump called the ceasefire, which allowed the Turkish takeover to proceed largely unopposed, a "major breakthrough." Rejecting accusations that he betrayed the Syrian Kurds -- who suffered thousands of casualties fighting alongside US troops against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group -- Trump said they were happy. The president said the Kurdish commander in the country, Mazloum Abdi, had just told him he was "extremely thankful." Ankara ordered a cross-border operation into Syria on October 9 because it said it wanted to create a security cordon free of Kurdish armed groups that it considers to be terrorists, linked to Kurdish rebels inside Turkey. The long-planned operation started after Trump announced the exit of the small, but politically significant US military force which had until then been closely allied with the Kurds. Trump said he didn't want the US troops caught in the middle of a Turkish-Kurdish war. Accused both by Republicans and Democrats of abandoning the Kurds, Trump imposed sanctions on Turkey on October 14 and sent a delegation to persuade Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to order a brief ceasefire. In a tweet from a spokesman on Wednesday, Abdi thanked Trump "for his tireless efforts that stopped the brutal Turkish attack and jihadist groups on our people." A group of US senators called in a Wednesday letter for US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to expedite a visa for Abdi so the government could "hear directly... about the situation on the ground and the fight" against IS. Russians move in As US soldiers and the Kurds exited areas near Turkey's border, Turkish troops and Russian troops, who have propped up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad through his country's multi-sided civil war, moved in. The first Russian patrol in northern Syria got underway on Wednesday, the defense ministry in Moscow announced. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu talked with Abdi and reassured him that civilians would not have to leave their homes, a spokesman said -- apparently addressing allegations that Turkey will seek ethnic cleansing in the region. Critics of Trump say he has caved in to Turkey and been outplayed by Russia. "It is unthinkable that Turkey would not suffer consequences for malevolent behavior which was contrary to the interests of the United States and our friends," tweeted Republican Senator Mitt Romney. But Trump insisted that the power shift is a win for Washington, because he is fulfilling a campaign promise to step away from "ancient sectarian and tribal conflicts." Islamic State escapees Trump said there was no risk that the turmoil in the area could lead to a reconstitution of the Islamic State, which has lost its once sizeable territories and has thousands of members and their relatives kept in camps controlled by the Kurds. With concerns that the Kurds may no longer be able to monitor Islamic State prisoners, Trump said he expects Turkey to "abide by its commitment" to act as a "back-up to the Kurds." "Should something happen, Turkey is there to grab them," he said. He was speaking shortly after a US State Department official, James Jeffrey, testified in Congress that "over 100" Islamic State prisoners had escaped so far and "we do not know where they are." Trump said that a "small number" of US soldiers would remain nearby, but purely to guard oil facilities. His central message was clear: that the United States has no business in Syria and that there was never any question of trying to stop NATO member Turkey from carrying out its invasion. "We have spent $8 trillion on wars in the Middle East, never really wanting to win those wars," Trump said. However, the isolationist policy grates on many Republicans, whom he is depending upon to save him from a Democratic push to impeach and remove him from office over allegations that he abused his office. Immediately after the speech, powerful Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the United States had to stay engaged. The US air power must "continue to control the skies over Syria" he said, adding that the military should "have a small -- but capable -- military partnership" with the Kurds to prevent Islamic State from reemerging. 'Kill, displace and occupy' The Turkish-occupied area was calm, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said on Wednesday. However, explosions hit various parts of Syria's northeast, including the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli and the town of Suluk in the Tal Abyad region near Turkey's border. The car bomb in Qamishli did not cause casualties, according to the Observatory. But the blast in Suluk, controlled by Ankara's rebel proxies, killed three fighters, a rebel commander there told AFP. It was unclear who was responsible for the blasts. Kurds staged angry demonstrations Wednesday in their de facto capital Qamishli. "This deal serves the interests of foreign powers and not the interests of the people," said official Talaat Youndes. "Turkey's objective is to kill, displace and occupy the Kurds."

Donald Trump lifts Turkey sanctions, quits ‘blood-stained’ Syria

Russia on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran&nbsp;to show restraint as it warned against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-deployment-of-1000-additional-troops-to-middle-east-amid-iran-tensions-228136">additional troop approval in the Middle East</a> by the US.

Speaking to local media, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "We are urging all the sides to show restraint", adding, "We would prefer not to see any steps that could introduce additional tensions in the already unstable region."

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also told the US to&nbsp;cease actions that looked like a conscious attempt to provoke war with Iran, news agency Reuters reported.

"Now what we see are unending and sustained US attempts to crank up political, psychological, economic and yes military pressure on Iran in quite a provocative way. They (these actions) cannot be assessed as anything but a conscious course to provoke war," Ryabkov was cited as saying.

If Washington did not want war it had to show it, he said.

"If that's really how it is then the US should step back from reinforcing its military presence," said Ryabkov.

The US on Monday approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East while it is in the midst of soaring tension with Iran.

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement that the troops were being sent "for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East."&nbsp;

"The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region," Shanahan said.

The US has blamed Iran for last week's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-written-all-over-tanker-attacks-227168">attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman</a>, a charge Tehran has denied as "baseless."

"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran," the statement said, adding that the deployment aimed "to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gulf-of-oman-tanker-attacks-un-chief-pushes-for-an-independent-probe-as-iran-rejects-us-blame-227226">Tensions between Tehran and Washington</a> have escalated ever since the US quit a multi-nation nuclear deal with Iran.&nbsp;

Washington has imposed crippling sanctions, bolstered its military presence in the region and blacklisted Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to show restraint as it warned against the additional troop approval in the Middle East by the US. Speaking to local media, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "We are urging all the sides to show restraint", adding, "We would prefer not to see any steps that could introduce additional tensions in the already unstable region.

Russia on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to show restraint as it warned against the additional troop approval in the Middle East by the US. Speaking to local media, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "We are urging all the sides to show restraint", adding, "We would prefer not to see any steps that could introduce additional tensions in the already unstable region." Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also told the US to cease actions that looked like a conscious attempt to provoke war with Iran, news agency Reuters reported. "Now what we see are unending and sustained US attempts to crank up political, psychological, economic and yes military pressure on Iran in quite a provocative way. They (these actions) cannot be assessed as anything but a conscious course to provoke war," Ryabkov was cited as saying. If Washington did not want war it had to show it, he said. "If that's really how it is then the US should step back from reinforcing its military presence," said Ryabkov. The US on Monday approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East while it is in the midst of soaring tension with Iran. Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement that the troops were being sent "for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East." "The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region," Shanahan said. The US has blamed Iran for last week's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, a charge Tehran has denied as "baseless." "The United States does not seek conflict with Iran," the statement said, adding that the deployment aimed "to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests." Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated ever since the US quit a multi-nation nuclear deal with Iran. Washington has imposed crippling sanctions, bolstered its military presence in the region and blacklisted Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia warns US over extra troop deployment to Middle East

Iranian Paralympic cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad died Saturday after crashing in the C4-5 race.&nbsp; 
 
The 48-year-old athlete fell in the first section of a mountainous descent. 
 
The International Paralympic Committee said the athlete received immediate treatment at the site but died of his injuries while being transported to hospital.&nbsp; 
 
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokesman Craig Spence told reporters, &quot;The athlete received treatment at the scene and was in the process of being taken to the athlete hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival.&quot; 
 
Paralympic officials broke the news to Golbarnezhad&#39;s family in Iran. His teammates too were shocked to hear the news during a meeting at the Athletes&#39; Village. 
 
&quot;The Paralympic Family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy, which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio,&quot; said IPC President Philip Craven, calling it a sad news for the sport.&nbsp; 
 
The Iranian flag was lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village to honour Golbarnezhad. A minute of silence will be held during Sunday&#39;s closing ceremony. 
 
The cyclist, who wore a prosthesis on his left leg, took up the sport in 2002 and competed at the London 2012 Paralympics. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Dismissing negotiations with the US, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said their aim is to undermine Iran's presence in the region

Iranian Paralympic cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad died Saturday after crashing in the C4-5 race. The 48-year-old athlete fell in the first section of a mountainous descent. The International Paralympic Committee said the athlete received immediate treatment at the site but died of his injuries while being transported to hospital. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokesman Craig Spence told reporters, "The athlete received treatment at the scene and was in the process of being taken to the athlete hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival." Paralympic officials broke the news to Golbarnezhad's family in Iran. His teammates too were shocked to hear the news during a meeting at the Athletes' Village. "The Paralympic Family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy, which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio," said IPC President Philip Craven, calling it a sad news for the sport. The Iranian flag was lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village to honour Golbarnezhad. A minute of silence will be held during Sunday's closing ceremony. The cyclist, who wore a prosthesis on his left leg, took up the sport in 2002 and competed at the London 2012 Paralympics. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei warns against US intervention in regional conflicts

The world has become increasingly violent with deaths from conflicts at a 25-year high, terrorist attacks at an all-time high and more people being displaced than at any time since World War II, the 2016 Global Peace Index showed today. 
 
The annual index&nbsp;which measures 23 indicators, including incidents of violent crime, countries&#39; levels of militarisation and weapons imports, said intensifying conflicts in the Middle East were mostly to blame. 
 
But beyond the Middle East, the world was actually becoming more peaceful, researchers behind the index said. 
 
&quot;Quite often, in the mayhem which is happening in the Middle East currently, we lose sight of the other positive trends,&quot; said Steve Killelea, founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which produces the index. 
 
&quot;If we look in the last year, if we took out the Middle East ... the world would have become more peaceful,&quot; Killelea said. 
 
More than 100,000 were killed in conflict in 2014, up from nearly 20,000 in 2008. Syria, where nearly 67,000 people were killed in 2014, accounted for the bulk of the increase. 
 
The United Nations has said the number of displaced people is likely to have &quot;far surpassed&quot; a record of 60 million last year. 
 
The index showed that most attacks it classified&nbsp;as terrorist attacks were concentrated in five countries - Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
 
The economic cost of violence over the past decade was $137 trillion - greater than the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP)&nbsp;in 2015-the IEP showed. 
 
The indicator,&nbsp;which improved the most in the last year, was funding for UN&nbsp;peacekeeping operations that&nbsp;reached record highs in 2016, IEP said. 
 
&quot;However, peacebuilding and peacekeeping spending remains proportionately small compared to the economic impact of violence, representing just 2 per cent of global losses from armed conflict,&quot; Killelea said. 
 
More than 120,000 UN&nbsp;peacekeepers are currently deployed in 16 operations worldwide. The largest are in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan&#39;s Darfur region, South Sudan, Mali, Central African Republic and Lebanon. 
 
Another improvement in peace&nbsp;is a 10 per cent fall in global military spending in the last three years, IEP said. 
 
BUILDING LASTING PEACE 
 
Europe is the most peaceful region in the world, although the region&#39;s peace score has dropped in the wake of attacks in Paris and Brussels. Deaths from such attacks in Europe have more than doubled over the last five years. 
 
Last year, world leaders agreed to &quot;significantly reduce all forms of violence&quot; by 2030 and find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity, as part of a set of Sustainable Development Goals to fight inequality and extreme poverty. 
 
Building lasting peace takes more than just improving security, Killelea said. 
 
&quot;Quite often as an international community we lose sight of that and try and have a one shoe fits all (approach),&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;For me the most profound thing about the index is the ability to use it ... to better understand the qualities ... which create peaceful societies,&quot; Killelea said. 
 
Iceland is the world&#39;s most peaceful country listed in the index, followed by Denmark, Austria, New Zealand and Portugal.&nbsp;The least peaceful country is Syria, followed by South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

More than 100,000 were killed in conflicts in 2014, up from nearly 20,000 in 2008. In Syria alone, nearly 67,000 people were killed in 2014

The world has become increasingly violent with deaths from conflicts at a 25-year high, terrorist attacks at an all-time high and more people being displaced than at any time since World War II, the 2016 Global Peace Index showed today. The annual index which measures 23 indicators, including incidents of violent crime, countries' levels of militarisation and weapons imports, said intensifying conflicts in the Middle East were mostly to blame. But beyond the Middle East, the world was actually becoming more peaceful, researchers behind the index said. "Quite often, in the mayhem which is happening in the Middle East currently, we lose sight of the other positive trends," said Steve Killelea, founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which produces the index. "If we look in the last year, if we took out the Middle East ... the world would have become more peaceful," Killelea said. More than 100,000 were killed in conflict in 2014, up from nearly 20,000 in 2008. Syria, where nearly 67,000 people were killed in 2014, accounted for the bulk of the increase. The United Nations has said the number of displaced people is likely to have "far surpassed" a record of 60 million last year. The index showed that most attacks it classified as terrorist attacks were concentrated in five countries - Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The economic cost of violence over the past decade was $137 trillion - greater than the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015-the IEP showed. The indicator, which improved the most in the last year, was funding for UN peacekeeping operations that reached record highs in 2016, IEP said. "However, peacebuilding and peacekeeping spending remains proportionately small compared to the economic impact of violence, representing just 2 per cent of global losses from armed conflict," Killelea said. More than 120,000 UN peacekeepers are currently deployed in 16 operations worldwide. The largest are in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan's Darfur region, South Sudan, Mali, Central African Republic and Lebanon. Another improvement in peace is a 10 per cent fall in global military spending in the last three years, IEP said. BUILDING LASTING PEACE Europe is the most peaceful region in the world, although the region's peace score has dropped in the wake of attacks in Paris and Brussels. Deaths from such attacks in Europe have more than doubled over the last five years. Last year, world leaders agreed to "significantly reduce all forms of violence" by 2030 and find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity, as part of a set of Sustainable Development Goals to fight inequality and extreme poverty. Building lasting peace takes more than just improving security, Killelea said. "Quite often as an international community we lose sight of that and try and have a one shoe fits all (approach)," he said. "For me the most profound thing about the index is the ability to use it ... to better understand the qualities ... which create peaceful societies," Killelea said. Iceland is the world's most peaceful country listed in the index, followed by Denmark, Austria, New Zealand and Portugal. The least peaceful country is Syria, followed by South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Global violence worsens, driven by Middle East conflict: peace index