Trump chose to attack Suleimani after military leaders outline Iranian plans, officials say.
Iran has vowed “harsh retaliation” as tensions soar after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad’s airport that killed a top Iranian general.“He was personally going to a few locations for final planning authority for what we assessed to be something big,” said the officials, who briefed reporters under ground rules that didn’t allow them to be identified. The specific targets were unclear and officials declined to describe the evidence that backed up their assessment.
He had already been linked to a Dec. 27 rocket attack that killed an America military contractor near Kirkuk, Iraq. In the days before Suleimani arrived in Baghdad, U.S. officials blamed him for orchestrating violent protests at the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad. A senior State Department official said new intelligence indicated Suleimani was plotting attacks on American diplomats, military personnel and facilities that house Americans in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.“There was consensus in the president’s national security cabinet that the risk of doing nothing was unacceptable given the intelligence and given the effectiveness that Suleimani presents,” the official said.
When Suleimani arrived in Baghdad on Thursday, a U.S drone and other military aircraft were circling near Baghdad International Airport. Sulaimani and several members of a pro-Iranian military got into two vehicles and were riding on the airport road toward downtown Baghdad when missiles fired from the drone struck.According to Iraqi officials, rescuers identified Suleimani’s body among the casualties by the blood-red ring he always wore that was still attached to his ash-covered left hand.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Trump takes massive gamble with killing of Iranian commanderBREAKING: The Pentagon confirmed that Qassim Soleimani, who led Iran’s elite Quds force, was killed in what it termed a “defensive action.”
Weiterlesen »
Trump orders killing of key Iranian commander in Baghdad airport strikeThe commander of Iran's Quds Froce has been killed in a United States strike ordered by President Donald Trump and aimed at 'deterring future Iranian attack plans,' the Pentagon said in a statement.
Weiterlesen »
Pelosi wants details from Trump after U.S. kills Iranian commanderHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the U.S. strike that killed the commander of Iran's Quds Force 'risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.'
Weiterlesen »
Pelosi wants details from Trump after U.S. kills Iranian commanderHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the U.S. strike that killed the commander of Iran's Quds Force 'risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.'
Weiterlesen »
Killing of Iranian general marks huge gamble by TrumpThe killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq brings the U.S. and Iran to edge of war — one of the biggest gambles of Trump's presidency.
Weiterlesen »
Trump tweets after US kills Iranian general: 'He should have been taken out many years ago!'On Trump's order, U.S. forces launched an airstrike that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. Iran is vowing to retaliate.
Weiterlesen »