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| Iran mourns Suleimani as fallout intensifies over US strike - live updates | Iran mourns Suleimani as fallout intensifies over US strike - live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow the latest developments as huge crowds pack streets of Tehran in memory of Iranian general | Follow the latest developments as huge crowds pack streets of Tehran in memory of Iranian general |
| Downing Street has said targeting cultural sites in Iran would breach international warfare conventions in an implicit rebuke to Donald Trump for threatening to bomb protected heritage sites. | |
| Boris Johnson’s official spokesman refused to criticise Trump directly but made clear the UK government would not support such a course of action, after the US president said he could target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliated over the assassination of Qassem Suleimani – “some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture”. | |
| Responding to Trump’s latest comments, Johnson’s spokesman said there were “international conventions in place that prevent the destruction of cultural heritage”, implying the UK does not believe such threats would be carried out. | |
| Helicopter video footage released by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards-affiliated Fars news agency shows the scale of the crowds in Tehran. | |
| Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional rival and a key ally of the US, has called for calm. | |
| Its foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, said the kingdom does not want to see further escalation of tensions in the region at a “very dangerous moment”. | |
| Speaking at press briefing in Riyadh, Reuters quoted him saying: | |
| The Iranian ambassador to the UK is to complain formally about a frontpage article in the Times claiming that Iranian generals are prepared to kill British troops in response to the assassination of Qassem Suleimani. | The Iranian ambassador to the UK is to complain formally about a frontpage article in the Times claiming that Iranian generals are prepared to kill British troops in response to the assassination of Qassem Suleimani. |
| Hamid Baeidinejad said he strongly condemned “the vicious lie and provocative news by #Times today”. | Hamid Baeidinejad said he strongly condemned “the vicious lie and provocative news by #Times today”. |
| He added on Twitter: “I will ask the concerned UK authorities to take swift action to stop such malicious false propaganda in this very sensitive time.” | He added on Twitter: “I will ask the concerned UK authorities to take swift action to stop such malicious false propaganda in this very sensitive time.” |
| The story was headlined “We will kill UK troops, warns Iran”. Although the embassy frequently takes issue with the slant of specific stories in the British press, including what it feels is anti-Iranian bias, it is rare for the ambassador to threaten a formal complaint. | The story was headlined “We will kill UK troops, warns Iran”. Although the embassy frequently takes issue with the slant of specific stories in the British press, including what it feels is anti-Iranian bias, it is rare for the ambassador to threaten a formal complaint. |
| Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, asked Trump: “Have you EVER seen such a sea of humanity in your life?” | Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, asked Trump: “Have you EVER seen such a sea of humanity in your life?” |
| Zarif predicted the end of what he called the “malign US presence” in the region. | Zarif predicted the end of what he called the “malign US presence” in the region. |
| Observers say the scale of the crowds in Tehran are “astonishing”. | Observers say the scale of the crowds in Tehran are “astonishing”. |
| Downing Street has urged the Iraqi government to allow foreign troops to remain in the country to fight against the threat posed by Islamic State. | Downing Street has urged the Iraqi government to allow foreign troops to remain in the country to fight against the threat posed by Islamic State. |
| In the wake of the killing of Suleimani and a Iraqi militia leader in the US drone attack, Iraq’s parliament voted to expel US troops. | In the wake of the killing of Suleimani and a Iraqi militia leader in the US drone attack, Iraq’s parliament voted to expel US troops. |
| The PM’s spokesman said: | The PM’s spokesman said: |
| James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, has expressed doubts about the Trump administration’s claim that Suleimani posed a direct threat to US lives. | James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, has expressed doubts about the Trump administration’s claim that Suleimani posed a direct threat to US lives. |
| Speaking to CNN, Clapper said: “Suleimani himself didn’t plant IEDs. He didn’t himself launch rocket attacks against American personel or facilities. So to me it is a bit of a stretch that by doing this they thwarted an imminent attack. Typically under Suleimani attacks were carried out by proxies, that is Shia militia in Iraq.” | Speaking to CNN, Clapper said: “Suleimani himself didn’t plant IEDs. He didn’t himself launch rocket attacks against American personel or facilities. So to me it is a bit of a stretch that by doing this they thwarted an imminent attack. Typically under Suleimani attacks were carried out by proxies, that is Shia militia in Iraq.” |
| Clapper also said the Trump administration was facing a problem of trust by appearing to pick and chose the intelligence it believes. | Clapper also said the Trump administration was facing a problem of trust by appearing to pick and chose the intelligence it believes. |
| He said: | He said: |
| Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, has claimed there was “very solid” intelligence that Suleimani was travelling around the region to plan an attack against troops. | Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, has claimed there was “very solid” intelligence that Suleimani was travelling around the region to plan an attack against troops. |
| “We knew he was in the process of planning these attacks and we acted to defend American lives,” O’Brien told Fox News. | “We knew he was in the process of planning these attacks and we acted to defend American lives,” O’Brien told Fox News. |
| Clapper said he could not believe such assurances without seeing the intelligence on which they were based. He suggested Trump may have to publish any intelligence showing Suliemani posed a threat to US lives. | Clapper said he could not believe such assurances without seeing the intelligence on which they were based. He suggested Trump may have to publish any intelligence showing Suliemani posed a threat to US lives. |
| Clapper said: | Clapper said: |
| Downing Street has insisted Britain’s security partnership with the US remains “very close” despite Donald Trump not informing the UK of its plans to assassinate Suleimani, PA reports. | Downing Street has insisted Britain’s security partnership with the US remains “very close” despite Donald Trump not informing the UK of its plans to assassinate Suleimani, PA reports. |
| The prime minister’s official spokesman said: | The prime minister’s official spokesman said: |
| Asked if Johnson was convinced the US drone strike was legal, the spokesman said: | Asked if Johnson was convinced the US drone strike was legal, the spokesman said: |
| Johnson spoke to the Iraqi prime minister on Monday morning, the spokesman said. | Johnson spoke to the Iraqi prime minister on Monday morning, the spokesman said. |
| The scale of the crowds mourning Suleimani in Tehran are was the biggest since the 1989 funeral for the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, according to Reuters. | The scale of the crowds mourning Suleimani in Tehran are was the biggest since the 1989 funeral for the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, according to Reuters. |
| Crowds chanted: “Death to America”. One poster held by a mourner read: “It is our right to seek a harsh revenge,” echoing comments by Iranian military and political leaders. | Crowds chanted: “Death to America”. One poster held by a mourner read: “It is our right to seek a harsh revenge,” echoing comments by Iranian military and political leaders. |
| The death of the general, widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Khamenei, has prompted a rare public display of unity at home after deadly anti-government protests in November and before parliamentary elections in February. | The death of the general, widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Khamenei, has prompted a rare public display of unity at home after deadly anti-government protests in November and before parliamentary elections in February. |
| “The martyrdom of Suleimani is for sure a turning point for the establishment, at home and abroad. His death, at least for now, has united Iran,” a former senior pro-reform Iranian official told Reuters. | “The martyrdom of Suleimani is for sure a turning point for the establishment, at home and abroad. His death, at least for now, has united Iran,” a former senior pro-reform Iranian official told Reuters. |
| The coffins of Suleimani and the Iraqi militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in Friday’s attack, were draped in their national flags and passed from hand to hand across the heads of mourners in central Tehran. | The coffins of Suleimani and the Iraqi militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in Friday’s attack, were draped in their national flags and passed from hand to hand across the heads of mourners in central Tehran. |
| The funeral ceremonies will culminate with Suleimani’s burial in his home city of Kerman, in southern Iran. | The funeral ceremonies will culminate with Suleimani’s burial in his home city of Kerman, in southern Iran. |
| Traditionally, Muslims are buried swiftly after their death, often the same day. But Suleimani’s body has first been taken to cities in Iraq, where Iran has vied with the Washington for influence since the 2003 US invasion, before being carried around Iran. | Traditionally, Muslims are buried swiftly after their death, often the same day. But Suleimani’s body has first been taken to cities in Iraq, where Iran has vied with the Washington for influence since the 2003 US invasion, before being carried around Iran. |
| “America and Zionism should know that my father’s martyrdom will lead to awakening ... in the resistance front and bring about a dark day for them and flatten their homes,” Zeinab Suleimani, the commander’s daughter, told mourners. Iran usually refers to Israel as the Zionist state and describes regional countries and other forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a “resistance” front. | “America and Zionism should know that my father’s martyrdom will lead to awakening ... in the resistance front and bring about a dark day for them and flatten their homes,” Zeinab Suleimani, the commander’s daughter, told mourners. Iran usually refers to Israel as the Zionist state and describes regional countries and other forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a “resistance” front. |
| “Crazy Trump, don’t think that everything is over with my father’s martyrdom,” she said in the televised address. | “Crazy Trump, don’t think that everything is over with my father’s martyrdom,” she said in the televised address. |
| Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, told the ceremony: “Resistance against the Zionist project on the land of Palestine will not stop, and resistance against the American dominance will not be broken.” | Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, told the ceremony: “Resistance against the Zionist project on the land of Palestine will not stop, and resistance against the American dominance will not be broken.” |
| Haniyeh was on his first trip to Iran since becoming leader of the group in 2017. | Haniyeh was on his first trip to Iran since becoming leader of the group in 2017. |
| Here’s video of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollha Ali Khamenei, crying over Suleimani’s coffin. | Here’s video of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollha Ali Khamenei, crying over Suleimani’s coffin. |
| Police in Tehran say “millions” of people have gathered in Tehran to mourn the death of Suleimani, Reuters reports. | |
| Germany has described Donald Trump’s threat to impose sanctions on Iraq if Baghdad expels US troops as “not very helpful”. | Germany has described Donald Trump’s threat to impose sanctions on Iraq if Baghdad expels US troops as “not very helpful”. |
| Speaking to German radio, the foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said: “I don’t think you can convince Iraq with threats, but with arguments.” | Speaking to German radio, the foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said: “I don’t think you can convince Iraq with threats, but with arguments.” |
| Maas also warned that long term efforts to rebuild Iraq “could all be lost” if the situation escalates. | Maas also warned that long term efforts to rebuild Iraq “could all be lost” if the situation escalates. |
| Iraq’s parliament demanded American troops leave after the drone attack on Suliemani which also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi militia commander. | Iraq’s parliament demanded American troops leave after the drone attack on Suliemani which also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi militia commander. |
| In response Trump said Iraq would facing crippling sanctions if it carried out the expulsion. | In response Trump said Iraq would facing crippling sanctions if it carried out the expulsion. |
| Speaking to reporter on Air Force One Trump said: “If they do ask us to leave, if we don’t do it in a very friendly basis, we will charge them sanctions like they’ve never seen before ever. It’ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.” | Speaking to reporter on Air Force One Trump said: “If they do ask us to leave, if we don’t do it in a very friendly basis, we will charge them sanctions like they’ve never seen before ever. It’ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.” |
| Maas admitted that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had hoped for more full-throated backing from allies. | Maas admitted that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had hoped for more full-throated backing from allies. |
| “Apparently he wasn’t too happy that we didn’t 100% support America’s actions,” Maas said after Pompeo spoke by phone with his German, French and British counterparts. | “Apparently he wasn’t too happy that we didn’t 100% support America’s actions,” Maas said after Pompeo spoke by phone with his German, French and British counterparts. |
| Maas said it was important that the European Union presented a united stance so it could play a meaningful role in helping to cool tempers. | Maas said it was important that the European Union presented a united stance so it could play a meaningful role in helping to cool tempers. |
| “Our own security interests are massively affected by the fight in Iraq against international terrorism, against IS, so we have a responsibility here,” he said. | “Our own security interests are massively affected by the fight in Iraq against international terrorism, against IS, so we have a responsibility here,” he said. |
| “I think it’s necessary that the EU foreign ministers quickly convene in Brussels to coordinate a European position.” | “I think it’s necessary that the EU foreign ministers quickly convene in Brussels to coordinate a European position.” |
| He also said Germany, France and Britain would decide this week how to react to Iran’s decision to forego the limit on enrichment it had pledged to honour in the nuclear agreement. | He also said Germany, France and Britain would decide this week how to react to Iran’s decision to forego the limit on enrichment it had pledged to honour in the nuclear agreement. |
| “We can’t just accept this without responding,” Maas said. | “We can’t just accept this without responding,” Maas said. |
| “It certainly doesn’t make things easier and it could be the first step towards the end of the deal and that would be a great loss.” | “It certainly doesn’t make things easier and it could be the first step towards the end of the deal and that would be a great loss.” |
| China is siding with Iran in the wake Suliemani’s killing and has condemned the US. Its foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Beijing believes Iran was “forced” to reduce its commitment to the nuclear deal. | China is siding with Iran in the wake Suliemani’s killing and has condemned the US. Its foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Beijing believes Iran was “forced” to reduce its commitment to the nuclear deal. |
| He added that “recent military adventures by the US violated the basic norms governing international relations.” | He added that “recent military adventures by the US violated the basic norms governing international relations.” |
| On Sunday Iran announced that it will no longer abide by any of the limits imposed by the unravelling 2015 nuclear deal following the US military intervention. | On Sunday Iran announced that it will no longer abide by any of the limits imposed by the unravelling 2015 nuclear deal following the US military intervention. |
| Shuang added that “there is no way out by military means, and extreme pressure will not work.” He said “power politics is unpopular and unsustainable.” | Shuang added that “there is no way out by military means, and extreme pressure will not work.” He said “power politics is unpopular and unsustainable.” |
| China is among the countries that signed the nuclear deal. Shuang added that Iran has demonstrated restraint under the agreement and did not violate its obligations. | China is among the countries that signed the nuclear deal. Shuang added that Iran has demonstrated restraint under the agreement and did not violate its obligations. |
| The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, will travel to Russia later this week for talks with Vladimir Putin about the Middle East crisis following Suliemani’s killing, Reuters reports. | The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, will travel to Russia later this week for talks with Vladimir Putin about the Middle East crisis following Suliemani’s killing, Reuters reports. |
| The Kremlin said Merkel will travel to Russia on Saturday at Putin’s invitation and that the two leaders also plan to discuss the situations in Syria, Libya and Ukraine. | The Kremlin said Merkel will travel to Russia on Saturday at Putin’s invitation and that the two leaders also plan to discuss the situations in Syria, Libya and Ukraine. |
| Welcome to live coverage of the fallout from the death of Qassem Suleimani, the Iranian general killed in a US drone strike on Friday. | Welcome to live coverage of the fallout from the death of Qassem Suleimani, the Iranian general killed in a US drone strike on Friday. |
| So far today huge crowds have brought central Tehran to a standstill as mourners flooded the Iranian capital to pay a homage to Suleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ powerful Quds Force. The country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly wept as he led prayers for Suleimani, who was one of Iran’s most popular public figures. | So far today huge crowds have brought central Tehran to a standstill as mourners flooded the Iranian capital to pay a homage to Suleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ powerful Quds Force. The country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly wept as he led prayers for Suleimani, who was one of Iran’s most popular public figures. |
| Late on Sunday, Donald Trump defended his threat to target Iranian cultural sites if Tehran retaliates for the killing of Suleimani. The US president also lashed out at Iraq following its parliament’s demand for American troops to be expelled from that country, and vowed to respond with crippling sanctions. | Late on Sunday, Donald Trump defended his threat to target Iranian cultural sites if Tehran retaliates for the killing of Suleimani. The US president also lashed out at Iraq following its parliament’s demand for American troops to be expelled from that country, and vowed to respond with crippling sanctions. |
| Over the weekend the Trump administration scrambled to justify its claim that the killing of Iran’s most powerful general was about stopping a war rather than starting one, as tensions spiralled by the hour. | Over the weekend the Trump administration scrambled to justify its claim that the killing of Iran’s most powerful general was about stopping a war rather than starting one, as tensions spiralled by the hour. |
| Later on Monday Nato ambassadors will meet at their Brussels headquarters to discuss the killing, surprised many of Washington’s allies and triggered calls for de-escalation. | Later on Monday Nato ambassadors will meet at their Brussels headquarters to discuss the killing, surprised many of Washington’s allies and triggered calls for de-escalation. |