January 9, 2020

IRAQ: After Iran ATTACKED The U.S. in Iraq, President Trump Ordered Soleimani Killed. Iran Retaliated By Firing Missiles At Iraqi Military Bases Housing U.S. Soldiers. Both Sides Called A Truce.


Fox News published January 7, 2020: Iran launches missiles from Iran into sovereign nation of Iraq to target Iraqi military bases housing U.S. military troops.
In tweet above, Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran, Javad Zarif, called a truce with the U.S. the evening of January 7, 2020.

In video below, President Trump accepted Iran's truce with the U.S. the morning of January 8, 2020.

You wouldn't know this information if you listen to the local and national news and especially the Democrats lying to the public that Trump is starting a war with Iran. It's the 9th and the Democrats and media are still lying to the public that President Trump is starting a war with Iran. Most of them are even unbelievably siding with Islamic Republic of Iran.

(emphasis mine)

The White House published January 8, 2020: President Trump Delivers Remarks on Iran's retaliation ballistic missiles at Iraqi military bases housing U.S. military troops.

White House transcript
Remarks by President Trump on Iran
Issued on: January 8, 2020

THE PRESIDENT: As long as I am President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Good morning. I’m pleased to inform you: The American people should be extremely grateful and happy no Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.

Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.

No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken, the dispersal of forces, and an early warning system that worked very well. I salute the incredible skill and courage of America’s men and women in uniform.

For far too long — all the way back to 1979, to be exact — nations have tolerated Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond. Those days are over. Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen.

Last week, we took decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist from threatening American lives. At my direction, the United States military eliminated the world’s top terrorist, Qasem Soleimani. As the head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was personally responsible for some of the absolutely worst atrocities.

He trained terrorist armies, including Hezbollah, launching terrorist strikes against civilian targets. He fueled bloody civil wars all across the region. He viciously wounded and murdered thousands of U.S. troops, including the planting of roadside bombs that maim and dismember their victims.

Soleimani directed the recent attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq that badly wounded four service members and killed one American, and he orchestrated the violent assault on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. In recent days, he was planning new attacks on American targets, but we stopped him.

Soleimani’s hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood. He should have been terminated long ago. By removing Soleimani, we have sent a powerful message to terrorists: If you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of our people.

As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.

In recent months alone, Iran has seized ships in international waters, fired an unprovoked strike on Saudi Arabia, and shot down two U.S. drones.

Iran’s hostilities substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013, and they were given $150 billion, not to mention $1.8 billion in cash. Instead of saying “thank you” to the United States, they chanted “death to America.” In fact, they chanted “death to America” the day the agreement was signed.

Then, Iran went on a terror spree, funded by the money from the deal, and created hell in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration. The regime also greatly tightened the reins on their own country, even recently killing 1,500 people at the many protests that are taking place all throughout Iran.

The very defective JCPOA expires shortly anyway, and gives Iran a clear and quick path to nuclear breakout. Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism. The time has come for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China to recognize this reality.

They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal -– or JCPOA –- and we must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place. We must also make a deal that allows Iran to thrive and prosper, and take advantage of its enormous untapped potential. Iran can be a great country.

Peace and stability cannot prevail in the Middle East as long as Iran continues to foment violence, unrest, hatred, and war. The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: Your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward.

Today, I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process. Over the last three years, under my leadership, our economy is stronger than ever before and America has achieved energy independence. These historic accompliments [accomplishments] changed our strategic priorities. These are accomplishments that nobody thought were possible. And options in the Middle East became available. We are now the number-one producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. We are independent, and we do not need Middle East oil.

The American military has been completely rebuilt under my administration, at a cost of $2.5 trillion. U.S. Armed Forces are stronger than ever before. Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal, and fast. Under construction are many hypersonic missiles.

The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.

Three months ago, after destroying 100 percent of ISIS and its territorial caliphate, we killed the savage leader of ISIS, al-Baghdadi, who was responsible for so much death, including the mass beheadings of Christians, Muslims, and all who stood in his way. He was a monster. Al-Baghdadi was trying again to rebuild the ISIS caliphate, and failed.

Tens of thousands of ISIS fighters have been killed or captured during my administration. ISIS is a natural enemy of Iran. The destruction of ISIS is good for Iran, and we should work together on this and other shared priorities.

Finally, to the people and leaders of Iran: We want you to have a future and a great future — one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home, and harmony with the nations of the world. The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.

I want to thank you, and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

END

The Daily Signal
written by Fred Lucas, @FredLucasWH
Saturday January 4, 2020

President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike in Iraq on Thursday that killed Gen. Qassim Suleimani, one of the most senior members of the Iranian government.

Suleimani, with the rank of major general, headed the Quds Force, the terrorist arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, contributing to terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London,” Trump said Friday, using an alternate spelling of the general’s name. “Today, we remember and honor the victims of Soleimani’s many atrocities, and we take comfort in knowing that his reign of terror is over.”

For about 21 years, Suleimani commanded the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, charged with carrying out clandestine military and terrorist activities outside Iran’s borders as the country seeks to expand its regional influence in the Middle East.

“We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war,” Trump said.

Here are five things to know about the fallen terrorist leader.

1. How Was Suleimani a Direct Threat to Americans?

Suleimani orchestrated a series of attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq in the past several months, culminating in a rocket attack Dec. 27 that killed an American citizen, wounded four U.S. service members, and threatened the lives of many more American personnel.

Suleimani also ordered the recent assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, according to the State Department.

He supported lethal assistance to Revolutionary Guard proxy groups that targeted and killed more than 600 Americans between 2003 and 2011.

The State Department confirmed Friday that Suleimani was traveling in the Middle East, coordinating further “imminent large-scale attacks against U.S. diplomats and service members.” It added: “Threats were highly credible, and the intelligence is sound.”

2. Where Did Suleimani’s Terrorism Strike?

Quds Force—under Suleimani’s direction—planned and conducted terrorist attacks across six continents and inside the United States, according to the State Department.

Suleimani was directly responsible for arming, funding, and training Iranian proxy groups—or militias—in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Yemen, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, leading to the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands, the State Department said.

Moreover, Iranian proxies regularly target and kill civilians and inflame existing sectarian conflicts.

3. What Actions Did He Take in Iraq?

The State Department says that Suleimani personally directed and provided arms to militias in Iraq for more than a decade, both during the Iraq War and as the U.S. military presence was winding down in the country.

The Iran-backed militias threatened Iraq’s security forces and have targeted American citizens, diplomats, and military forces.

4. What Were His International Terrorist ‘Credentials’?

The State Department, the United Nations, and the European Union have roundly condemned Suleimani over the years.

The United Nations and European Union also sanctioned him. In 2016, he was banned from international travel by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231. Suleimani defied the U.N. resolution and continued traveling to work with terrorist militia groups in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

The European Union condemned him in a resolution in 2011 for supporting the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1747, in 2007, sanctioned Suleimani for his involvement in the Iranian nuclear program.

5. Were Prior Presidents Concerned About Suleimani?

“What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago,” Trump said Friday.

The State Department, under the Trump administration, designated the Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization for its activities in 2019.

Though not militarily, Suleimani had been the target of the wrath of previous presidents of both parties.

Trump’s Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama, signed Executive Order 13224 designating Suleimani as a “specially designated global terrorist.” Obama also signed Executive Order 13572, citing the general for human rights abuses in 2011.

President George W. Bush, a Republican, signed Executive Order 13882 in 2007, imposing sanctions blocking access to assets and property of weapons distributors that provided material support to terrorists, including Suleimani.

Geopolitical Intelligence Services
written by Prince Michael of Leichtenstein
Tuesday January 7, 2020

The U.S.’s killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani is a huge blow to the Iranian regime, and Washington had valid reasons for making the move. Though many fear the repercussions, the U.S. could not shy away from self-defense for such reasons. And for now, it looks likely that Iran will restrict its retaliation to verbal attacks.

The killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of the Quds Force of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in an American air strike is doubtless of huge significance. The move amounted to more than taking out a leader of Islamic State or another terrorist group. In importance, Soleimani was unofficially number-two in Iranian structures. He was the mastermind behind Iran’s open, covert and terrorist operations abroad. The Quds Force is an elite military group.

The strike took place at Baghdad International Airport. Significantly, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), an Iran-backed umbrella organization comprising several militias, was killed in the same attack.

Soleimani was essential in leading Iran’s expansionary and anti-Western activities in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and other Arab countries. He pulled the strings of Iraq’s pro-Iranian politicians. The United States and the European Union designated him a terrorist. “He has the blood of hundreds of Americans on his hands,” said retired General David Petraeus. But Soleimani’s attacks against others in the Middle East were at least as violent.

Tehran wants to establish itself as regional hegemon. Its main foes in accomplishing this goal are Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Israel. Its policy is to stir unrest and civil war, and to bring governments or members of governments under its control.

Challenges for Tehran

The recent unrest within Iran was mainly caused by the dire economic situation there. The regime needed to make strong moves abroad to show strength and success. It therefore increased its support for attacks against Americans or American installations. According to U.S. sources, there have been 11 such attacks in the past few months alone.

Iran was also faced with an additional problem: a potential loss of influence in Lebanon and Iraq due to political changes. In those countries, civil society had become increasingly vocal, inspiring demonstrations against their corrupt governments, which were close to Iran. In Iraq, Shia politicians and government officials close to Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi drew public ire. Tehran’s interests were clearly threatened. Iraqis will cast their votes in regional elections this year. Soleimani appeared to be advising officials in Iraq on how to suppress the movements toward change and a stronger civil society – as Iran has so successfully done over the years.

The reactions in Iran at Soleimani’s funeral show just how important he was. Although he was immediately replaced in the Quds Force, nobody else had his network and capabilities. Thus the loud shouts for revenge from Tehran.

Crucial move

Taking the above into account, it is clear why Washington decided to carry out the strike. It can truly be seen as one of the most important operations of its kind. Osama bin Laden, for example, was only killed after he had lost much of his power and had retreated into hiding. Soleimani was still fully active and at the height of his authority.

He had been watched for quite some time. The timing of the attack might have been driven by the recent attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq, the Iraqi government’s plans to oppress a rising civil society, or a desire to fight corrupt politics influenced by Iran. The storming of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on December 31, 2019, by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Many are concerned about Tehran’s retaliation and other potential consequences. Due to his closeness to Iran, it is not surprising that Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi asked the Iraqi parliament to pass a resolution to expel the U.S. military from Iraq.

Washington has valid reasons for considering Soleimani’s killing an act of prevention and defense. Not defending oneself for fear of retaliation is a sign of weakness.

By taking this action, the U.S.’s general standing in the region has increased. It will be difficult for Tehran to retaliate immediately. The loss of this key leader must first be overcome. Washington has made it very clear that it will retaliate if Tehran continues its attacks on American interests. It is likely that the Iranian retaliation will be restricted to verbal attacks for the time being.

VOA News published Dec 31, 2019: Pro-Iranian Protesters Storm US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq
I wish people would stop referring to them as "protesters". They are Iranian-backed Hezbollah Islamic militants who STORMED, ATTACKED our U.S. Embassy which is U.S. soil. WATCH THE VIDEO I SHARED ABOVE. If President Trump did not send in our military to stop THE ATTACK by Hezbollah Islamic militants, they would have killed more Americans inside our U.S. Embassy. IT WAS AN ATTACK ON US BY IRAN. (emphasis mine)
Iran keeps shouting that the U.S. is occupying Iraq and the middle east. Well, Iran has overthrown the Yemeni government who was strongly allied with Saudi Arabia their nemesis. Iran has infiltrated the Iraqi government. Iran has infiltrated the Lebanese government. Iran funds Hamas Islamic militant groups that control Islamic REFUGEE areas in Israel. So basically Iran is strategically taking over countries bordering Saudi Arabia and Israel, the two countries they hate with a passion and who are allied with the United States. Iran's Islamic militant groups are causing grief everywhere. (emphasis mine)
In May 2013, France and Germany released statements that they will join other European countries in calling for an EU-blacklisting of Hezbollah as a terror group.

CNBC News published January 8, 2020: House Democrats hold a news conference on situation in Iraq and Iran.
You have to listen to this bullshit coming from the Democrats in our U.S. Congress. You'll even see Rep. Ilhan Omar giggling with Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Iran attacked the U.S. and we had every right to respond in kind. The Democrats are putting Iran before the United States. Iran stormed our U.S. Embassy, killed an American and would have killed more Americans if we didn't stop Hezbollah Islamic militant group that was ordered to attack our U.S. Embassy by Soleimani who was killed as a result. (emphasis mine)
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota needs to be VOTED OUT OF OFFICE with the rest of these America hating Democrats. (emphasis mine)
Trump’s Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama, signed Executive Order 13224 designating Suleimani as a “specially designated global terrorist.” Obama also signed Executive Order 13572, citing the general for human rights abuses in 2011.

Posted by Princess Mononoke at 9:47 PM

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