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Iran missile attacks: Iraq says it received warning from Tehran – live updates Iran missile attacks: Iraq says it received warning from Tehran – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Pentagon confirms missiles targeting at least two bases as Revolutionary Guards claim attack ‘in name of Suleimani’Pentagon confirms missiles targeting at least two bases as Revolutionary Guards claim attack ‘in name of Suleimani’
French citizens in the Israeli city of Haifa should exercise caution in light of the tensions in the Middle East, the French Foreign Ministry has said in an update to security advice on its website.French citizens in the Israeli city of Haifa should exercise caution in light of the tensions in the Middle East, the French Foreign Ministry has said in an update to security advice on its website.
“Following the recent escalation in tensions in the region, the city of Haifa has been the subject of explicit threats,” it said in a statement, without giving any more precise details.“Following the recent escalation in tensions in the region, the city of Haifa has been the subject of explicit threats,” it said in a statement, without giving any more precise details.
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office doesn’t specifically mention Haifa, but advises visitors to the travel section of its website: “There is a possibility of an increased threat against Western interests and the security situation could worsen with little warning.” Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office doesn’t specifically mention Haifa, but advises visitors to the travel section of its website: “There is a possibility of an increased threat against western interests and the security situation could worsen with little warning.”
Slovenia’s defence ministry has said its six soldiers stationed in northern Iraq with a German-led training mission will be evacuated after their base came under Iranian missile attack overnight.Slovenia’s defence ministry has said its six soldiers stationed in northern Iraq with a German-led training mission will be evacuated after their base came under Iranian missile attack overnight.
The Slovenian ministry said the soldiers were unhurt in the attack near Irbil as they were in the base’s shelter during the strike.The Slovenian ministry said the soldiers were unhurt in the attack near Irbil as they were in the base’s shelter during the strike.
As we reported on Tuesday, Germany is reducing its troop numbers in Iraq for security reasons after the death of the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad last week.As we reported on Tuesday, Germany is reducing its troop numbers in Iraq for security reasons after the death of the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad last week.
It is the first coalition withdrawal since the Iraqi parliament voted on Sunday to call for the withdrawal of US forces from the country. The non-binding resolution has prompted a chaotic response from US officials.It is the first coalition withdrawal since the Iraqi parliament voted on Sunday to call for the withdrawal of US forces from the country. The non-binding resolution has prompted a chaotic response from US officials.
We’ve produced a useful visual guide to the latest developments in the region, as Iranian strikes on US airbases in Iraq intensified the crisis sparked by the US killing of Suliemani last week.We’ve produced a useful visual guide to the latest developments in the region, as Iranian strikes on US airbases in Iraq intensified the crisis sparked by the US killing of Suliemani last week.
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, said: “Isn’t the truth, Mr Speaker, that this prime minister is unable to stand up to President Trump because he has hitched his wagon to a trade deal with the United States and that prioritises everything else that he ought to be considering?”Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, said: “Isn’t the truth, Mr Speaker, that this prime minister is unable to stand up to President Trump because he has hitched his wagon to a trade deal with the United States and that prioritises everything else that he ought to be considering?”
Johnson replied: “This is absolute fiction. But what I will say is that the UK will continue to work for de-escalation in the region.”Johnson replied: “This is absolute fiction. But what I will say is that the UK will continue to work for de-escalation in the region.”
Boris Johnson has told parliament that Qassem Suleimani had the “blood of British troops on his hands”.Boris Johnson has told parliament that Qassem Suleimani had the “blood of British troops on his hands”.
Answering a question from the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, during the first prime minister’s questions since the British general election, Johnson said the US had the right to defend its bases.Answering a question from the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, during the first prime minister’s questions since the British general election, Johnson said the US had the right to defend its bases.
During exchanges that were interpreted as a further move by Britain towards the US position on the killing of the Iranian general last week, Johnson also sidestepped questions from Corbyn about the legality of the killing.During exchanges that were interpreted as a further move by Britain towards the US position on the killing of the Iranian general last week, Johnson also sidestepped questions from Corbyn about the legality of the killing.
“Clearly the strict issue of legality is not for the UK to determine since it was not our operation,” said Johnson.“Clearly the strict issue of legality is not for the UK to determine since it was not our operation,” said Johnson.
“But I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has the right to protect its bases and its personnel.”“But I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has the right to protect its bases and its personnel.”
He added that the senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards figure had supplied “improvised explosive devices to terrorists, which I’m afraid killed and maimed British troops”.He added that the senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards figure had supplied “improvised explosive devices to terrorists, which I’m afraid killed and maimed British troops”.
He added: “That man had the blood of British troops on his hands.”He added: “That man had the blood of British troops on his hands.”
Johnson also left open the question of whether Britain would abide by Iraqi wishes for US and British troops to withdraw from the country if the government followed through on a vote taken by the Iraqi parliament. He added that Britain would work to secure the security of people in Iraq from Isis.Johnson also left open the question of whether Britain would abide by Iraqi wishes for US and British troops to withdraw from the country if the government followed through on a vote taken by the Iraqi parliament. He added that Britain would work to secure the security of people in Iraq from Isis.
Prime minister’s questions is taking place in the UK parliament and Boris Johnson has been asked about escalating tensions between the US and Iran. You can read live updates from the Guardian’s Andrew Sparrow here:Prime minister’s questions is taking place in the UK parliament and Boris Johnson has been asked about escalating tensions between the US and Iran. You can read live updates from the Guardian’s Andrew Sparrow here:
Nechirvan Barzani, the president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish north, has issued a televised statement, saying that he does not want Iraq to “become a battleground” and that it needs the support of coalition forces to help tackle Isis.Nechirvan Barzani, the president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish north, has issued a televised statement, saying that he does not want Iraq to “become a battleground” and that it needs the support of coalition forces to help tackle Isis.
Kuwait says its state-run Kuna news agency’s Twitter account was hacked and posted a false story about US troops withdrawing from the country. There are more than 13,000 US troops in Kuwait.Kuwait says its state-run Kuna news agency’s Twitter account was hacked and posted a false story about US troops withdrawing from the country. There are more than 13,000 US troops in Kuwait.
Major airlines have cancelled Iran and Iraq flights and rerouted others away from both countries’ airspace, Reuters reports.Major airlines have cancelled Iran and Iraq flights and rerouted others away from both countries’ airspace, Reuters reports.
Germany’s Lufthansa, Dubai-based Emirates and the low-cost flydubai were among airlines that cancelled flights, as the US Federal Aviation Administration barred American carriers from the area. Several other carriers will continue operations over the affected airspace.Germany’s Lufthansa, Dubai-based Emirates and the low-cost flydubai were among airlines that cancelled flights, as the US Federal Aviation Administration barred American carriers from the area. Several other carriers will continue operations over the affected airspace.
This is from the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour:This is from the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour:
Iran says it will not hand over the black box of the Ukrainian plane to Boeing. The black box containing vital records of how the plane crashed has been located in a field among the debris of the plane outside Tehran.Iran says it will not hand over the black box of the Ukrainian plane to Boeing. The black box containing vital records of how the plane crashed has been located in a field among the debris of the plane outside Tehran.
It is not clear whether Iranian authorities are disputing the legality of handing over the black box to Boeing, or whether they are seeking to inspect the box themselves.It is not clear whether Iranian authorities are disputing the legality of handing over the black box to Boeing, or whether they are seeking to inspect the box themselves.
The Ukrainian government has deleted a tweet saying the plane’s crash was the result of an accident.The Ukrainian government has deleted a tweet saying the plane’s crash was the result of an accident.
The news has fuelled speculation that there is something suspicious about the downing of the plane, with one theory doing the rounds on social media that Iran could have mistaken the plane for an incoming US military aircraft.The news has fuelled speculation that there is something suspicious about the downing of the plane, with one theory doing the rounds on social media that Iran could have mistaken the plane for an incoming US military aircraft.
Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, has tweeted that the country’s “final answer” to the assassination of Gen Qassem Suleimani will be to “kick all US forces out of the region”.Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, has tweeted that the country’s “final answer” to the assassination of Gen Qassem Suleimani will be to “kick all US forces out of the region”.
From the Guardian’s Michael Safi:From the Guardian’s Michael Safi:
Poland’s foreign ministry says its ambassador to Iraq, Beata Peksa, has been recalled to Poland for security reasons amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, reports the Associated Press.Poland’s foreign ministry says its ambassador to Iraq, Beata Peksa, has been recalled to Poland for security reasons amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, reports the Associated Press.
The evacuation came at Britain’s request because Poland’s diplomatic mission is located in the British embassy. According to Poland’s foreign ministry, only the ambassador was evacuated while its embassy in Baghdad continues its work.The evacuation came at Britain’s request because Poland’s diplomatic mission is located in the British embassy. According to Poland’s foreign ministry, only the ambassador was evacuated while its embassy in Baghdad continues its work.
This is from the Telegraph’s Middle East correspondent, Raf Sanchez:This is from the Telegraph’s Middle East correspondent, Raf Sanchez:
The Twitter account for the Iraqi prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, has issued a statement saying he received a verbal message from the Iranians shortly after midnight saying that their “response to the assassination of the martyr Qassem Soleimani had begun or would start shortly” and would be limited to US military stationed in Iraq. At the same time, they were informed by the Americans that strikes had begun against US forces at various locations in Iraq.The Twitter account for the Iraqi prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, has issued a statement saying he received a verbal message from the Iranians shortly after midnight saying that their “response to the assassination of the martyr Qassem Soleimani had begun or would start shortly” and would be limited to US military stationed in Iraq. At the same time, they were informed by the Americans that strikes had begun against US forces at various locations in Iraq.
The statement said there had not been any Iraqi casualties reported so far and they had not been told of losses by coalition forces.The statement said there had not been any Iraqi casualties reported so far and they had not been told of losses by coalition forces.
Here is a passage, translated using Google translate: “We have called, and we call on all, to exercise restraint … adhere to international covenants, respect the Iraqi state and the decisions of its government, and help it to contain and overcome this serious crisis threatening it, the region, and the world with a devastating, comprehensive war.”Here is a passage, translated using Google translate: “We have called, and we call on all, to exercise restraint … adhere to international covenants, respect the Iraqi state and the decisions of its government, and help it to contain and overcome this serious crisis threatening it, the region, and the world with a devastating, comprehensive war.”
The EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has commented on tensions between Iran and the US. She said “the use of weapons must stop now to give space for dialogue”.The EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has commented on tensions between Iran and the US. She said “the use of weapons must stop now to give space for dialogue”.