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Iran crisis: US embassy tells its citizens to leave Iraq immediately – live updates Iran crisis: US embassy tells its citizens to leave Iraq immediately – live updates
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World reacts to news of US drone strike ordered by Donald Trump on Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in BaghdadWorld reacts to news of US drone strike ordered by Donald Trump on Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad
John Bolton said he hopes the assassination of Qassem Suleimani “is the first step to regime change in Tehran.” Experts have warned that the strike on Iran’s top general puts the US and allies, including the UK, at risk.
The former national security adviser tweeted his congratulations to all involved in assassinating Iran’s top general, describing the strike as long in the making. Ian Bond, foreign policy director at the Centre for European Reform, tweeted that the airstrike was a “big escalation” by Mr Trump.
Dr Jack Watling, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, told the PA news agency that the attack was “very significant” because it was a “declared assassination” outside a declared armed conflict.
But he said that Iran was not likely to want to provoke a war with the US. “The significance of this strike is that it is a declared assassination of a senior officer in another state with whom the US is not in a declared armed conflict and conducted on the territory of a third party,” he said.
“That’s a very significant development in and of itself. Ultimately Iran does not want to provoke a full-scale conflict. I would expect there will be attacks on US forces, but they will be conducted with care.”
Watling added if the UK was seen by Iran to be participating in US actions it could capture or arrest British citizens in the region. “The Iranians do not draw a direct line between the UK and US, however, if the UK is perceived to be participating in US actions then they will directly target UK interests,” he said.
He added: “The UK is not automatically the first target. Citizens in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon would certainly potentially be at risk, dual-nationalities in Iran will certainly be at risk of arrest under espionage charges.”
John Bolton said he hoped the assassination of Qassem Suleimani was “the first step to regime change in Tehran”.
The former US national security adviser tweeted his congratulations to all involved in assassinating Iran’s top general, describing the strike as long in the making.
The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing has said the targeted killings of Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violates international human rights law.The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing has said the targeted killings of Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violates international human rights law.
In a Twitter thread, Agnès Callamard said the US would need to prove the individual targeted constituted an imminent threat to others. “An individual’s past involvement in ‘terrorist’ attacks is not sufficient to make his targeting for killing lawful,” she said.In a Twitter thread, Agnès Callamard said the US would need to prove the individual targeted constituted an imminent threat to others. “An individual’s past involvement in ‘terrorist’ attacks is not sufficient to make his targeting for killing lawful,” she said.
On the White House statement about the airstrike, Callamard said: “The statement fails to mention the other individuals killed alongside Suleimani. Collateral? Probably. Unlawful. Absolutely.”On the White House statement about the airstrike, Callamard said: “The statement fails to mention the other individuals killed alongside Suleimani. Collateral? Probably. Unlawful. Absolutely.”
Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of the Labour party who is set to step down following a Conservative landslide at the last general election, has said “the US assassination” of the general “is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance”.Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of the Labour party who is set to step down following a Conservative landslide at the last general election, has said “the US assassination” of the general “is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance”.
In a statement, Corbyn notes: “The UK government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States.”In a statement, Corbyn notes: “The UK government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States.”
Here’s a roundup of reactions from Labour leadership hopefuls to a US airstrike in Baghdad killing Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s top general.Here’s a roundup of reactions from Labour leadership hopefuls to a US airstrike in Baghdad killing Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s top general.
Nick Robinson, BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme host, described the event as “a very early test for those who want to be leader of the opposition”.Nick Robinson, BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme host, described the event as “a very early test for those who want to be leader of the opposition”.
Keir Starmer, the current frontrunner to win the Labour leadership, tweeted that the incident is “an extremely serious situation” and called for all sides to de-escalate tensions.Keir Starmer, the current frontrunner to win the Labour leadership, tweeted that the incident is “an extremely serious situation” and called for all sides to de-escalate tensions.
The Labour MP Lisa Nandy, who is also considering a run to replace Jeremy Corbyn, described the airstrike as “a very dangerous moment”. She added: “Seventeen years after the catastrophic decision to go to war in Iraq, violence still rages every day. World leaders must stand up to Trump. The last thing we need is another all-out war.”The Labour MP Lisa Nandy, who is also considering a run to replace Jeremy Corbyn, described the airstrike as “a very dangerous moment”. She added: “Seventeen years after the catastrophic decision to go to war in Iraq, violence still rages every day. World leaders must stand up to Trump. The last thing we need is another all-out war.”
Jess Phillips, the Labour MP who is expected to formally declare her bid to lead the Labour party, said: “Reckless foreign policy does not show strength. It’s not a game. The consequences of the escalating tensions between the US and Iran are not to be underestimated, not just once again on the civilians in the region but on the whole world.”Jess Phillips, the Labour MP who is expected to formally declare her bid to lead the Labour party, said: “Reckless foreign policy does not show strength. It’s not a game. The consequences of the escalating tensions between the US and Iran are not to be underestimated, not just once again on the civilians in the region but on the whole world.”
Robinson asked Melanie Onn, a Labour MP who lost her seat but is supporting Phillips: “Should people like Jess Phillips take a sort of Corbyn stand, or should she be wary of those who criticise Mr Corbyn for seeming to back the wrong side in international conflict.” In response, Onn said: “I don’t think that anyone who is trying to emulate somebody else is the right person for the Labour party.”Robinson asked Melanie Onn, a Labour MP who lost her seat but is supporting Phillips: “Should people like Jess Phillips take a sort of Corbyn stand, or should she be wary of those who criticise Mr Corbyn for seeming to back the wrong side in international conflict.” In response, Onn said: “I don’t think that anyone who is trying to emulate somebody else is the right person for the Labour party.”
Oil prices soared early on Friday morning after the US airstrike that killed the top Iranian commander, increasing tensions between the two powers.Oil prices soared early on Friday morning after the US airstrike that killed the top Iranian commander, increasing tensions between the two powers.
Oil prices rose over $2 a barrel, while gold and other safe-haven assets jumped on Friday, Reuters reported, adding “traders were clearly spooked” by Qassem Suleimani’s death.Oil prices rose over $2 a barrel, while gold and other safe-haven assets jumped on Friday, Reuters reported, adding “traders were clearly spooked” by Qassem Suleimani’s death.
The news agency also reported that foreign oil companies were evacuating dozens of employees with US citizenship from Basra in Iraq, citing company sources.The news agency also reported that foreign oil companies were evacuating dozens of employees with US citizenship from Basra in Iraq, citing company sources.
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has urged “all parties to de-escalate” after the US airstrike that killed the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has urged “all parties to de-escalate” after the US airstrike that killed the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
In a written statement, Raab said: “We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qassem Suleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate.In a written statement, Raab said: “We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qassem Suleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate.
“Further conflict is in none of our interests.”“Further conflict is in none of our interests.”
China has called for all sides to exercise calm and restraint.China has called for all sides to exercise calm and restraint.
Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang called for peace and stability in the Middle East as well as respect for Iraq’s independence and territorial integrity, AP reported.Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang called for peace and stability in the Middle East as well as respect for Iraq’s independence and territorial integrity, AP reported.
The spokesman said China had always opposed the use of force in international relations and warned against the further escalation of tensions.The spokesman said China had always opposed the use of force in international relations and warned against the further escalation of tensions.
Iraq will hold an emergency parliament session on Saturday to discuss the US airstrike in Baghdad that killed Iran’s top military commander and Iraqi officials, Reuters reports.Iraq will hold an emergency parliament session on Saturday to discuss the US airstrike in Baghdad that killed Iran’s top military commander and Iraqi officials, Reuters reports.
Iraq’s deputy parliament speaker, Hassan al-Kaabi, said it was time to put an end to US recklessness and arrogance, adding that Saturday’s session would be dedicated to taking “decisive decisions that put an end to US presence inside Iraq”.Iraq’s deputy parliament speaker, Hassan al-Kaabi, said it was time to put an end to US recklessness and arrogance, adding that Saturday’s session would be dedicated to taking “decisive decisions that put an end to US presence inside Iraq”.
The outgoing prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi had called for an emergency session, saying the US presence in Iraq is limited to training forces to fight terrorism. He described the attack that killed Qassem Suleimani and the Iraqi officials as a “violation” of conditions for the US troop presence.The outgoing prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi had called for an emergency session, saying the US presence in Iraq is limited to training forces to fight terrorism. He described the attack that killed Qassem Suleimani and the Iraqi officials as a “violation” of conditions for the US troop presence.
Tom Fletcher, a former UK ambassador to Lebanon, has said Qassem Suleimani was a “much more powerful figure than Osama bin Laden or Baghdadi, where at the moment of their own deaths their power was in decline. His [power] was growing, as it has been really since the US invasion of Iraq.”Tom Fletcher, a former UK ambassador to Lebanon, has said Qassem Suleimani was a “much more powerful figure than Osama bin Laden or Baghdadi, where at the moment of their own deaths their power was in decline. His [power] was growing, as it has been really since the US invasion of Iraq.”
He added that it was “hard to overstate the potential impact of this moment”.He added that it was “hard to overstate the potential impact of this moment”.
Fletcher said Iran had been “goading Washington, goading Donald Trump”, adding: “And of course, we don’t just have erratic leaders at the moment in Tehran, we have an erratic leader in Washington as well.”Fletcher said Iran had been “goading Washington, goading Donald Trump”, adding: “And of course, we don’t just have erratic leaders at the moment in Tehran, we have an erratic leader in Washington as well.”
When asked how Iran could retaliate, Fletcher said: “The strategic response if they’re feeling rational is probably to consolidate their position in Iraq, but elsewhere they have many more dangerous options including assassinations themselves or proxy wars or asymmetric attacks like the ones against the Saudi oil facilities.”When asked how Iran could retaliate, Fletcher said: “The strategic response if they’re feeling rational is probably to consolidate their position in Iraq, but elsewhere they have many more dangerous options including assassinations themselves or proxy wars or asymmetric attacks like the ones against the Saudi oil facilities.”
What does Qassem Suleimani’s death mean for the region? The assassination threatens to open a grisly new chapter in Middle East, writes the Guardian’s Julian Borger.What does Qassem Suleimani’s death mean for the region? The assassination threatens to open a grisly new chapter in Middle East, writes the Guardian’s Julian Borger.
In his analysis, Borger notes Suleimani’s death dispensed with the proxy war between Iran and the US, describing the airstrike as a “dagger thrust into the heart of Iranian power”.In his analysis, Borger notes Suleimani’s death dispensed with the proxy war between Iran and the US, describing the airstrike as a “dagger thrust into the heart of Iranian power”.
Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is detained in Iran, warned the relationship between Iran and the US and UK was rapidly deteriorating.Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is detained in Iran, warned the relationship between Iran and the US and UK was rapidly deteriorating.
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Things are getting much worse again between the US and Iran, but also between all of us and Iran.”He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Things are getting much worse again between the US and Iran, but also between all of us and Iran.”
He added: “I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they’re all really worried.”He added: “I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they’re all really worried.”
In December, Zaghari-Ratcliffe announced she would be going on hunger strike in solidarity with another dual national being held in Iran. Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a British-Australian academic, started an open-ended hunger strike six days ago in protest at being sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges.In December, Zaghari-Ratcliffe announced she would be going on hunger strike in solidarity with another dual national being held in Iran. Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a British-Australian academic, started an open-ended hunger strike six days ago in protest at being sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was jailed four years ago, and other imprisoned dual nationals in Tehran believe they are being held as political hostages.Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was jailed four years ago, and other imprisoned dual nationals in Tehran believe they are being held as political hostages.
Israeli’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cut short a visit to Greece following the killing. The prime minister’s office said he was returning to Israel early “to follow developments” but did not say when.Israeli’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cut short a visit to Greece following the killing. The prime minister’s office said he was returning to Israel early “to follow developments” but did not say when.
Israel, which has fought an increasingly overt war against Iranian forces in neighbouring Syria, is preparing itself for a potential military retaliation from Tehran to the US attack.Israel, which has fought an increasingly overt war against Iranian forces in neighbouring Syria, is preparing itself for a potential military retaliation from Tehran to the US attack.
Netanyahu was in Athens following the deal signed by Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday to build a 1,900km (1,180-mile) subsea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean’s rapidly developing gas fields to Europe.Netanyahu was in Athens following the deal signed by Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday to build a 1,900km (1,180-mile) subsea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean’s rapidly developing gas fields to Europe.
Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt has described the US airstrike that killed Iran’s Gen Qaseem Suleimani as “extremely serious” and warned it could spark a huge escalation.Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt has described the US airstrike that killed Iran’s Gen Qaseem Suleimani as “extremely serious” and warned it could spark a huge escalation.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is no agreement as to a base of the confrontations in the region. There is a completely different narrative put forward by the Iranians for what is happening in the region to that which is put forward by the United States and others – there is no meeting between to two.”He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is no agreement as to a base of the confrontations in the region. There is a completely different narrative put forward by the Iranians for what is happening in the region to that which is put forward by the United States and others – there is no meeting between to two.”
Burt added that the airstrike could cause “a huge potential escalation” of the conflict, of which “the consequences are unknown”. He said that it was “very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and defuse the situation”. He added: “It’s extremely serious.”Burt added that the airstrike could cause “a huge potential escalation” of the conflict, of which “the consequences are unknown”. He said that it was “very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and defuse the situation”. He added: “It’s extremely serious.”
Asked whether the UK government would have been told about the US government’s airstrike plans before they happened, Burt replied: “I doubt it.”Asked whether the UK government would have been told about the US government’s airstrike plans before they happened, Burt replied: “I doubt it.”
In July, Burt wrote a comment piece for the Guardian warning that the next prime minister had to become an expert on Iran, fast. He wrote:In July, Burt wrote a comment piece for the Guardian warning that the next prime minister had to become an expert on Iran, fast. He wrote:
Who is Qassem Suleimani? Here’s a useful explainer on the leader of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds force by Michael Safi, the Guardian’s international correspondent, based in the Middle East:Who is Qassem Suleimani? Here’s a useful explainer on the leader of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds force by Michael Safi, the Guardian’s international correspondent, based in the Middle East:
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The United States embassy in Baghdad has called on all it citizens to depart Iraq immediately on Friday. The order follows the US airstrike killing Iranian Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an air strike.The United States embassy in Baghdad has called on all it citizens to depart Iraq immediately on Friday. The order follows the US airstrike killing Iranian Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an air strike.
“Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 travel advisory and depart Iraq immediately. US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land,” it said in a statement.“Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 travel advisory and depart Iraq immediately. US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land,” it said in a statement.
Good morning. I’m Aamna Mohdin and thank you for joining our rolling coverage of air strike, ordered by the US president, Donald Trump, that killed powerful Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.Good morning. I’m Aamna Mohdin and thank you for joining our rolling coverage of air strike, ordered by the US president, Donald Trump, that killed powerful Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
Suleimani’s death is widely being seen as a dramatic escalation of the continued struggle between Washington and Tehran for influence across the region. The general, who ran Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria, was hit while being driven from Baghdad airport by local allies from the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU).Suleimani’s death is widely being seen as a dramatic escalation of the continued struggle between Washington and Tehran for influence across the region. The general, who ran Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria, was hit while being driven from Baghdad airport by local allies from the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU).
Julian Borger, the Guardian’s world affairs editor, and Martin Chulov, who covers the Middle East for the Guardian, have the latest on the airstrike:Julian Borger, the Guardian’s world affairs editor, and Martin Chulov, who covers the Middle East for the Guardian, have the latest on the airstrike:
Minutes before the White House released its statement, Trump tweeted a US flag without comment.Minutes before the White House released its statement, Trump tweeted a US flag without comment.
The Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, released the following statement on Twitter:The Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, released the following statement on Twitter: