US-Iran conflict

Iran blacklists U.S. Pentagon as “terrorist organization”

Iran’s parliament on Tuesday announced U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, as “terrorist organization,” official IRNA news agency reported.

“According to the vote by the Iranian lawmakers, all members of the Pentagon, the affiliated institutions and companies, and the U.S. commanders who planned and perpetrated assassination” of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), are blacklisted, the report said.

The vote of the parliament also obliged the Iranian government to allocate 200 million euros (223 million U.S. dollars) to the IRGC’s Quds Force to strengthen its defense power.

The generalities and details of the “emergency motion” were unanimously passed during an open session of the parliament on Tuesday.

On Friday, Soleimani was killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad Airport.

In April 2019, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also announced U.S. Central Command forces in West Asia as “terrorist group” in retaliation for designation of the IRGC as “a foreign terrorist organization” by the United States.

Hungary ready to take any action necessary regarding Iraqi mission

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The Hungarian Armed Forces are monitoring the situation in the wake of the Iranian-US tension and are ready to take any necessary action regarding the Iraqi mission, the defence minister said on Tuesday.

The military is ready for evacuation if necessary, Tibor Benkő told public news channel M1.

The minister stressed the need to pay increased attention to the security of soldiers.

A few Hungarians in Iraq are involved in the NATO training and advisory mission and a larger number are represented in the mission of the grand coalition against the terrorist organisation that calls itself Islamic State, Benkő said.

So far only the training mission has been suspended, he said.

Benkő told public radio Kossuth that despite the recent developments, the highest security alert has not been introduced for Hungarian soldiers stationed in Iraq. He said that Hungary had signed a cooperation agreement with Iraq, and unless its soldiers are asked to be withdrawn, they will continue their mission in that country.

Hungarian troops to carry on with mission in Iraq

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The Hungarian troops stationed in Iraq continue to carry out their mission with the necessary security measures in place, the defence ministry said on Monday.

Reacting to reports of NATO missions suspending some of their activities in Iraq in view of the tensions between Iran and the United States, the ministry said

experts of the ministry and the Hungarian Armed Forces will continue to analyse the situation, with a view to guaranteeing the security of Hungarian soldiers.

The ministry noted that by contributing to NATO and coalition operations, Hungarian troops work on creating and maintaining Iraqi security. NATO has suspended training programmes in Iraq as a precautionary measure, the statement said. The decision impacts only parts of the operation of the Hungarian contingent as it is active in other fields as well, it said.

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Read alsoIraqi parliament asks govovenment to end presence of foreign forces in Iraq

Iran criticizes Europeans for “unconstructive” stance over U.S. killing of general

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Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Sunday criticized as “unconstructive” some Europeans’ stances over the recent U.S. assassination of senior Iranian military commander.

“The recent Europeans’ stances (over the assassination of general Soleimani) have been rude to some extent and have not been constructive and acceptable,” Mousavi said.

He noted that “the destruction of Daesh (the so-called Islamic State) by the resistance groups and by general Soleimani has brought security for the Europeans.”

Following the U.S. assassination of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, on Friday, Britain and Germany criticized Iran’s role in the region.

On Sunday, Mousavi said that “we do not accept” the Europeans’ gesture for pleasing the United States.

Iraqi parliament asks govovenment to end presence of foreign forces in Iraq

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The Iraqi parliament on Sunday passed a draft law requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq and prevent them from using Iraqi airspace and water.

In an extraordinary session, the lawmakers voted with majority in favor of passing a law requiring the government to cancel the request for assistance from the international coalition to fight Islamic State (IS) group due to the end of military operations and war in Iraq.

“The Iraqi government should work to end the presence of any foreign forces in the territories and prevent them from using the Iraqi airspace for any reason,” according to the parliament decision.

In addition, the Iraqi government, represented by the foreign minister, should “file a complaint against the United States for its violations and grave breaches of Iraqi sovereignty and security.”

The Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi also attended the televised parliament session and addressed the lawmakers, saying

“the departure of the U.S. forces from Iraq will be in the benefit of Iraq and the United States, especially after the latest developments.”

The parliament session came two days after a U.S. drone strike on a convoy at Baghdad airport which killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq’s paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.

After the airport attack, Abdul Mahdi called on parliament to hold an extraordinary session to fix the Iraqi official position and take the necessary legislative decisions that would preserve the dignity, security and sovereignty of Iraq.

Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against IS militants, mainly providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces.

NATO suspends training mission in Iraq

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The Canadian-commanding NATO mission in Iraq has suspended its training task after a U.S. airstrike killed an Iranian commander, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported Saturday.

A senior Canadian government official was quoted as describing the move as a “tactical pause.”

The NATO mission run by Canadian General Jennie Carignan is reportedly a “non-combat, advisory and training” mission.

The suspension of NATO’s training mission, where 253 Canadians are involved, does not affect the U.S.-led Operation Impact where Canada has approximately 600 soldiers servicing in Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan and Lebanon as trainers and advisers, according to the report.

Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday called on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force.

“Canada is in contact with our international partners. The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation. Our goal is and remains a united and stable Iraq,” Champagne said in a statement.

Canada also urged its citizens in Iraq to consider leaving the country in updated travel advisory on Friday after the attack.

“This attack has led to increased tensions in the region,” the advisory said. “There is an increased threat of attacks against Western interests and of terrorist attacks in general. Consider leaving by commercial means if it is safe to do so.”

The United States has urged its citizens in Iraq to leave “immediately,” following the attack.

Iran has vowed “harsh retaliation” against the United States for what Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called a “heinous crime” after Soleimani was killed.

President Rouhani says U.S. to pay price for killing Iranian general

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Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday that the United States will pay a heavy price for assassination of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), official IRNA news agency reported.

“Americans have taken a new approach that could put the region in a very dangerous situation,”

Rouhani said in a meeting with the visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking tensions and insecurity,” Rouhani said, adding that “What has brought tension and unrest to the region recently is the U.S.’ unwise acts.”

In the meeting, both sides called for boost of mutual ties.

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a meeting with his Qatari counterpart that the United States is responsible for the consequences of the assassination of the Iranian general.

The visit by the Qatari official comes a day after the U.S. army assassinated the Iranian senior general in Baghdad.

Qatari Foreign Ministry has urged both Iran and the United States to exercise self-restraint amid the escalating tensions and to prevent from “taking Iraq and the region into endless violence.”

Airstrike hit vehicle convoy of Iraq’s paramilitary group in N. Baghdad

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A convoy of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces was attacked early Saturday in northern Baghdad, the paramilitary group confirmed in a statement.

“The attack, which took place near the Taji Stadium in Baghdad, hit a medical convoy of the Popular Mobilization Forces,” said the group, which is also known as Hashd Shaabi in Arabic.

It added in the statement that no senior members were affected, refuting earlier reports that said its senior officials were killed in the attack.

Reports said that six people were killed and three others injured after two of the three cars in the convoy were found burned. Previously at least five deaths were reported.

The new airstrike took place about 24 hours after a U.S. drone attack near Baghdad International Airport killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was the deputy chief of the pro-Iran Hashd Shaabi forces.

Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have vowed to retaliate against the United States for Soleimani’s death.

Till press time, it is not clear who is responsible for the fresh attack, but Iraqi state television reported that the United States was behind the strike. There was no comment from Washington yet.

Pentagon has announced that the attack killing Soleimani was conducted under U.S. President Donald Trump’s direction as a “defensive action” as the Iranian senior military leader was accused of planning further attacks on U.S. diplomats and service members in Iraq.

On Tuesday, Iraqi protesters stormed the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad to protest the U.S. air raids conducted on Sunday against five bases of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

On Sunday evening, U.S. forces bombarded the headquarters of Hashd Shaabi’s 45th and 46th Brigades, killing 25 and injuring 51.

Putin, Macron voice concern over U.S. killing of Iranian commander

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron expressed concern on Friday about the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike.

During a phone conversation at the initiative of the French side, Putin and Macron agreed that “this action can seriously aggravate the situation in the region,” the Kremlin said in a press release.

Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force, was killed in the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport, read more HERE.

The death of the Iranian military leader is fraught with grave consequences for regional peace and stability, both the Russian foreign and defense ministries have said.

Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed “tough revenge” for the deadly attack, read more HERE.

Iran’s top leader vows “tough revenge” for Soleimani’s killing by U.S.

General Soleimani was killed today in the air raid of U.S. helicopters

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on Friday that those who assassinated Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), should wait for Iran’s severe response, state TV reported.

Khamenei said that the mission of Soleimani and “resistance” will not stop by his death.
All should know that “the resistance movement will continue more strongly, and a definite victory awaits those who fight in this auspicious path.”

The criminals who shed the blood of General Soleimani and his companions “should await a tough revenge,” he said.

The Iranian leader announced three days of national mourning over Soleimani’s death.

On Friday, IRGC confirmed in a statement that Soleimani has been killed in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport.

General Soleimani “was killed today in the air raid of U.S. helicopters,” according to the statement.

Also, U.S. Defense Department said it conducted the attack at President Donald Trump’s direction as a “defensive action” against Soleimani, who it said was planning further attacks on American diplomats and service members in Iraq.

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Read alsoTrump blames Iran for demonstrators storming U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

Pentagon confirms U.S. killed senior Iranian commander

Qasem Soleimani

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Thursday night that U.S. forces had carried out a strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

“At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani,” said the Pentagon in a statement.

“This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans,” the statement added.

The Iraqi state TV reported earlier that an attack near Baghdad International Airport in the Iraqi capital on Friday killed Soleimani, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhamdis, the deputy chief of Iraq’s paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.

The latest move by U.S. forces came days after supporters of the Hashd Shaabi militias, mourning those killed in an earlier U.S. attack in Iraq, stormed the perimeter of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

The Pentagon claimed in the statement that Soleimani “approved” the attacks on the U.S. embassy and “had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months.”

Iran has denied involvement in the recent deadly attacks on the U.S. forces in Iraq.
After its unilateral exit in 2018 from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Washington has been mounting pressure on Tehran through a series of sanctions to seek re-negotiations. Iran has maintained a tough stance and scaled back its nuclear commitments in response.

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Read alsoWhat the international landscape will be like in 2020

Trump blames Iran for demonstrators storming U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

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U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday blamed Iran after furious Iraqi demonstrators mourning those killed in an earlier American attack in Iraq stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

“Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible,” said Trump in a morning tweet.

“In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!” Trump added.

On Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators, participating in mourning for the Hashd Shaabi members killed by a U.S. attack in Iraq on Sunday, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone.

Some protesters smashed one of the gates and broke into the outer yards of the embassy, sparking a clash with the guards who fired tear gas canisters against the demonstrators, an official from the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

U.S. forces on Sunday attacked five locations in Iraq and Syria controlled by Iraq’s paramilitary Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH), or Hezbollah Brigades, in response to recent attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, triggering strong responses from Iraq and Syria, with Iran denying any role in the recent attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

Hashd Shaabi, an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization, was formed by the KH and other Shia Iraqi paramilitary groups in 2014. It currently includes more than 40 militant groups.