Tensions in Iraq and Iran are heating up as President Trump threatens sanctions and Iraq votes to kick out US troops.
Removing US Troops
On Sunday, Iraq’s parliament held a special meeting and voted for US troops to leave the country. In response, Trump tweeted:
Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American, & badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020
Iraq wants to kick US military members out for two reasons: first, the airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani took place there and second, they want to maintain good relations with Iran.
Iranian government officials have been outspoken with their anger at President Trump, with one minister saying he’s a “terrorist in a suit.”
The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way…and without hesitation!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020
Although Trump has received a lot of criticism since the attack, he stood by his tweet to Iran. While on Air Force One he told reporters:
“They’re allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesn’t work that way.”
Nuclear Weapons
France, Britain and Germany have asked Iran to respect the rules that were made in a 2015 nuclear deal. They reaffirmed their promise to help fight the Islamic State as well.
Iran responded on Sunday saying that while it will continue to cooperate with the European countries (also known as the EU three), it will not put any limits on its uranium enrichment projects. During an announcement on state TV, an Iranian government official said, “there will be no limitations in enrichment capacity, level of enrichment and research and development and it will be based on Iran’s technical needs.”
We will continue to keep you updated on this evolving situation.
Copyright 2020, UnitedVoice.com
