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Congress to vote on curbing president's war powers – live Congress to vote on curbing president's war powers – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
US president declares additional economic sanctions on Iran but attempts to de-escalate crisisUS president declares additional economic sanctions on Iran but attempts to de-escalate crisis
Congress will vote tomorrow on legislation to curb the president’s war powers. “The Admin must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy which prevents further violence,” the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, said, after she and other members of the House disparaged Trump for failing to consult or inform them before ordering the assassination of the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
Rockets reportedly fell on the “Green Zone” around the US embassy and military facilities in Baghdad today, but details have been scarce.
Trump spoke with Justin Trudeau and Boris Johnson on the phone. The leaders discussed working together to ensure that Iran doesn’t acquire a nuclear weapon.
Catch up on news and analysis of the US-Iran crisis:
Trump pulls back for now but game of chicken with Tehran far from over
The optics of Trump’s announcement: America stands ready to strike
EU leaders relieved as Trump steps away from Iran conflict
‘They took good revenge’: Iranians respond to Iraq strikes
False claims spread online after Iran missile attack on Iraqi airbases
Mike Pence said the US isn’t seeking a regime change in Iran, but wants “to see the regime change its behavior” in an interview on CBS.Mike Pence said the US isn’t seeking a regime change in Iran, but wants “to see the regime change its behavior” in an interview on CBS.
The vice-president earlier tweeted that the “America is safer and stronger because of President Trump’s decisive action” toward Iran.The vice-president earlier tweeted that the “America is safer and stronger because of President Trump’s decisive action” toward Iran.
Pence’s tone matches that of Trump, vacillating between appearing strong and backing off. As the Guardian’s Tom McCarthy wrote in his analysis, though Trump’s public address this morning, which he delivered while “flanked by cabinet members and backed by eight military officers, communicated a clear subtext: America stood ready to strike” – even as his speech was notably non-provocative.Pence’s tone matches that of Trump, vacillating between appearing strong and backing off. As the Guardian’s Tom McCarthy wrote in his analysis, though Trump’s public address this morning, which he delivered while “flanked by cabinet members and backed by eight military officers, communicated a clear subtext: America stood ready to strike” – even as his speech was notably non-provocative.
Lindsey Graham said that fellow Republican senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul were “overreacting” and that those seeking to limit the president’s war powers were “empowering the enemy”.Lindsey Graham said that fellow Republican senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul were “overreacting” and that those seeking to limit the president’s war powers were “empowering the enemy”.
Lee told Fox News that it was “wrong” for the Trump administration to insist that there must be “no dissension” in the GOP over warlike actions from the president.Lee told Fox News that it was “wrong” for the Trump administration to insist that there must be “no dissension” in the GOP over warlike actions from the president.
In the aftermath of the Iran missile attacks, there’s been a spread of online disinformation. The Guardian’s Jim Waterson reports:In the aftermath of the Iran missile attacks, there’s been a spread of online disinformation. The Guardian’s Jim Waterson reports:
An initial assessment by western intelligence agencies has found that the Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran wasn’t brought down by a missile, according to a Reuters report citing an anonymous Canadian security source.An initial assessment by western intelligence agencies has found that the Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran wasn’t brought down by a missile, according to a Reuters report citing an anonymous Canadian security source.
Earlier today, Tehran said it would not be handing the plane’s black box to Boeing, fueling concerns that the crash, which killed all 176 passengers, was caused by a missile aimed at Iraqi bases used by US forces.Earlier today, Tehran said it would not be handing the plane’s black box to Boeing, fueling concerns that the crash, which killed all 176 passengers, was caused by a missile aimed at Iraqi bases used by US forces.
The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Mark Milley, told reporters that Iran’s missile attack had been intended to kill American personnel and cause damage to the al-Asad airbase.The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Mark Milley, told reporters that Iran’s missile attack had been intended to kill American personnel and cause damage to the al-Asad airbase.
“I believe, based on what I saw and what I know, is that (the strikes) were intended to cause structural damage, destroy vehicles and equipment and aircraft and to kill personnel. That’s my own personal assessment,” Milley said. “But the analytics is in the hands of professional intelligence analysts. So they’re looking at that.”“I believe, based on what I saw and what I know, is that (the strikes) were intended to cause structural damage, destroy vehicles and equipment and aircraft and to kill personnel. That’s my own personal assessment,” Milley said. “But the analytics is in the hands of professional intelligence analysts. So they’re looking at that.”
The defense secretary, Mark Esper, said the intent has yet to be determined.The defense secretary, Mark Esper, said the intent has yet to be determined.
Hello again, US politics watchers, I take my leave now after a lively day but hand you over to my colleague, Maanvi Singh, in California to take you through the next few hours of US-involved geopolitical events and reaction here in the United States.Hello again, US politics watchers, I take my leave now after a lively day but hand you over to my colleague, Maanvi Singh, in California to take you through the next few hours of US-involved geopolitical events and reaction here in the United States.
Key events so far today:Key events so far today:
The US House will vote tomorrow on new legislation to curb the president’s war powers, after Donald Trump failed to consult or inform Congress before he ordered the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani last week.The US House will vote tomorrow on new legislation to curb the president’s war powers, after Donald Trump failed to consult or inform Congress before he ordered the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani last week.
Rockets have been falling in the heavily-fortified “Green Zone” around the US Embassy and military facilities in Baghdad. Details scarce so far.Rockets have been falling in the heavily-fortified “Green Zone” around the US Embassy and military facilities in Baghdad. Details scarce so far.
Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau spoke on the phone about the US-Iranian crisis and the crash of a Ukrainian flight outside Tehran earlier today in which many Canadian passengers were killed.Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau spoke on the phone about the US-Iranian crisis and the crash of a Ukrainian flight outside Tehran earlier today in which many Canadian passengers were killed.
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, and US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, are meeting in Washington this hour.The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, and US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, are meeting in Washington this hour.
Donald Trump gave a live televised address at the White House this morning, in which he said “Iran appears to be standing down” after its relatively restrained missile strike on US facilities in Iraq overnight, and pledged more sanctions against Iran, but also appealed to the Islamic republic to explored “shared priorities” with the US, such as Islamic State.Donald Trump gave a live televised address at the White House this morning, in which he said “Iran appears to be standing down” after its relatively restrained missile strike on US facilities in Iraq overnight, and pledged more sanctions against Iran, but also appealed to the Islamic republic to explored “shared priorities” with the US, such as Islamic State.
“No evidence of imminent threat” - Booker“No evidence of imminent threat” - Booker
Here is some more reaction from both sides of the aisle - but in surprisingly parallel directions, rather than the usual polar opposite.Here is some more reaction from both sides of the aisle - but in surprisingly parallel directions, rather than the usual polar opposite.
Democratic 2020 candidate Cory Booker just tweeted about the Capitol Hill briefing on the US-Iran crisis.Democratic 2020 candidate Cory Booker just tweeted about the Capitol Hill briefing on the US-Iran crisis.
Booker and other Democrats running for president have had their campaigns rudely interrupted by the rising tension over Iran.Booker and other Democrats running for president have had their campaigns rudely interrupted by the rising tension over Iran.
Less prominent 2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard was, seconds ago, on CNN saying more or less the same thing.Less prominent 2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard was, seconds ago, on CNN saying more or less the same thing.
Meanwhile, Republican maverick Senators of the day, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Utah’s Mike Lee, are also exasperated.Meanwhile, Republican maverick Senators of the day, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Utah’s Mike Lee, are also exasperated.
Lee told Fox News that the congressional briefing was “lame” and that it was “wrong” for the senior Trump administration briefers - the secretary of state, defense secretary, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and director of the CIA - to tell GOP members of congress that there must be “no dissension” in the ranks over any warlike actions from Donald Trump.Lee told Fox News that the congressional briefing was “lame” and that it was “wrong” for the senior Trump administration briefers - the secretary of state, defense secretary, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and director of the CIA - to tell GOP members of congress that there must be “no dissension” in the ranks over any warlike actions from Donald Trump.
It seems the members were given very luke warm, unreassuring assurances over whether Congress would be involved in any near future further actions of aggression towards Iran.It seems the members were given very luke warm, unreassuring assurances over whether Congress would be involved in any near future further actions of aggression towards Iran.
Lee called it the worst briefing he’d ever heard in his nine years in the Senate.Lee called it the worst briefing he’d ever heard in his nine years in the Senate.
No casualties in Green Zone - initial reportsNo casualties in Green Zone - initial reports
Still very few details about the latest incident in Baghdad. But here are a few more fragments, via Reuters.Still very few details about the latest incident in Baghdad. But here are a few more fragments, via Reuters.
Sirens were sounding inside the Green Zone. Police sources told Reuters at least one of the rockets fell 100 metres from the US Embassy.“Two Katyusha rockets fall inside the Green Zone without causing casualties. Details to follow,” the military said.Sirens were sounding inside the Green Zone. Police sources told Reuters at least one of the rockets fell 100 metres from the US Embassy.“Two Katyusha rockets fall inside the Green Zone without causing casualties. Details to follow,” the military said.
Two loud blasts followed by sirens had been heard in Baghdad, Reuters witnesses said.There was no immediate claim of responsibility.Two loud blasts followed by sirens had been heard in Baghdad, Reuters witnesses said.There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
US Democrats, who dominate the House of Representatives, are still furious that they were not consulted or even notified before Donald Trump took unilateral action late last week to assassinate senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani as he was being driven away from the Baghdad airport in Iraq.US Democrats, who dominate the House of Representatives, are still furious that they were not consulted or even notified before Donald Trump took unilateral action late last week to assassinate senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani as he was being driven away from the Baghdad airport in Iraq.
It may be no more than a democratic gesture (given that the Republicans dominate the Senate and are foursquare behind their president, Trump) but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the introduction of legislation to curb the president’s war powers, and it will come up for voting tomorrow.It may be no more than a democratic gesture (given that the Republicans dominate the Senate and are foursquare behind their president, Trump) but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the introduction of legislation to curb the president’s war powers, and it will come up for voting tomorrow.
As the Guardian’s senior political reporter, Lauren Gambino, just noted.As the Guardian’s senior political reporter, Lauren Gambino, just noted.
Nancy Pelosi tweeted about it earlier.Nancy Pelosi tweeted about it earlier.
Here’s a bitter little tit-for-tat on Twitter last weekend.Here’s a bitter little tit-for-tat on Twitter last weekend.
For some slightly deeper dives on this topic, here are interesting pieces about presidential war powers from the New Yorker and NPR.For some slightly deeper dives on this topic, here are interesting pieces about presidential war powers from the New Yorker and NPR.
Meanwhile, my world affairs editor colleague, Julian Borger, analyses the bigger picture on the US and Iran and where things stand this afternoon.Meanwhile, my world affairs editor colleague, Julian Borger, analyses the bigger picture on the US and Iran and where things stand this afternoon.
Latest report, with details just trickling in so far, is of three Katyusha rockets, commonly used my militias, have fallen inside Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone and have started a fire, police sources report, via Reuters.
The US embassy may have been the intended target.
Commercial airlines are rerouting flights throughout the Middle East to avoid potential danger during heightened tensions between the US and Iran.Jumbled schedules could affect as many as 15,000 passengers per day, lengthen flight times by an average of 30 to 90 minutes, and severely bruise the bottom line for airlines, industry analysts said, and The Associated Press reported.
“In a war situation, the first casualty is always air transport,” said Dubai-based aviation consult Mark Martin, pointing to airline bankruptcies during the Persian Gulf and Yugoslav wars.At least 500 commercial flights travel through Iranian and Iraqi airspace daily, Martin said.
A Ukrainian passenger jet crashed shortly after taking off from Iran’s capital early Wednesday killing 167 passengers and nine crew members just hours after Iran’s ballistic missile attack, but Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Ukrainian officials initially agreed, but later backed away and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is ongoing.
Air France and Dutch carrier KLM both said Wednesday that they had suspended all flights over Iranian and Iraqi airspace indefinitely.German airline Lufthansa and two of its subsidiaries also canceled flights to Iraq.
The Russian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, issued an official recommendation for all Russian airlines to avoid flying over Iran, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman “due to existing risks for the safety of international civil flights.”
Australian carrier Qantas said it was altering its London to Perth, Australia, route to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice.
Malaysia and Singapore Airlines are re-routing, too.
The US Federal Aviation Administration said it was barring American pilots and carriers from flying in areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace.
Initial reports coming in suggest that there were two loud blasts, moments ago, followed by sirens, Reuters witnesses said. The cause was not immediately clear.
The quartet of US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, the still relatively new defense secretary Mark Esper, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff Mark Milley and the historically-controversial CIA director Gina Haspel strode across Capitol Hill today to brief members of Congress on the Iran issues.
There is some difference of perspective on how effective the briefing was.
Here is a reported take from a Republican member of Congress:
And:
Senior Democrat and chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, Eliot Engel, who was deeply involved in the Trump impeachment inquiry, was unimpressed.
Mixed reaction from libertarian Republican Rand Paul:
Democrat Pramila Jayapal said of the administration’s stated justification for assassinating Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in the Baghdad area last week: “There was NO raw evidence presented that this [Suleimani plotting against US] was an imminent threat.”
British prime minister Boris Johnson and his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, had a telephone call with each other earlier in which they discussed the need for urgent de-escalation on all sides in the US-Iran crisis following Iranian missile attacks on military bases housing US troops in Iraq overnight, a spokesperson for Johnson said.
The leaders also discussed working together, and with international partners, to ensure Iran is prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Johnson also offered condolences for the Canadians who lost their lives in the Ukrainian airliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board.
There are few specifics available in terms of the two leaders’ reactions to Donald Trump announcing this morning the intention for the US to impose further sanctions on Iran, and the US president’s urging of allies to abandon the “remnants” of the Iran Nuclear Deal, the international accord to trade a loosening of sanctions for Iran’s backing off from developing their own nuclear missile capability.
The pre-dawn crash of a US-built Boeing airliner in Iran earlier today, with the loss of 176 lives, looks set to strain fragile international protocols on co-operation in air disaster investigations at a time when the United States and Iran are already mired in confrontation.The relatively new Boeing 737-800NG jet flown by Ukraine International Airlines burst into flames shortly after take-off from Tehran and crashed on Wednesday, Reuters writes this afternoon.
The results of an investigation and even the way it is set up and coordinated could inflame political differences as mystery surrounds the jet’s sudden nosedive, analysts said.Iran and the United States are co-signatories of the basic global agreement on modern aviation 75 years ago and sit together at the United Nations’ aviation agency.
The 1944 Chicago Convention gave rise to strict rules about how air accidents should be investigated, marking a blueprint for co-operation that has largely stood the test of time even as member countries shunned other types of diplomatic cooperation.
As the country where the jet was designed and built, the United States has a right to be accredited to the investigation and would normally appoint Boeing, which is bogged down in its own corporate and safety crisis involving its ground 737 Max aircraft type, as its own technical adviser.
But Wednesday’s crash immediately triggered fresh signs of international distrust.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US was prepared to offer Ukraine assistance but he did not mention any role for Iran in the ensuing investigation.
It’s been a lively day so far in US-facing international politics. There will be plenty more developments to come, so do read on. Here are the key events so far:
British foreign secretary Dominic Raab and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo will meet in Washington later today. The event was brought forward and was originally scheduled to happen tomorrow. Earlier, Boris Johnson and Donald Trump talked on the phone, but almost no details have emerged.
The US has promised full cooperation in investigations following the crash of a Ukrainian passenger flight shortly after take-off from Tehran in the early hours. There is unofficial talk that it was shot down.
Donald Trump ended his live address at the White House earlier by appealing to Iran to coordinate with the US on “shared priorities” such as shutting off ISIS.
Trump said in his address that Iran appears to be “standing down” after missile launches from Iran towards US forces in Iraq almost 24 hours ago avoided (perhaps deliberately, according to sources) causing any US casualties. Nevertheless, Trump announced more economic sanctions on Iran and asked NATO to get more involved.
Influential Iraqi Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said a little earlier today that the crisis Iraq was experiencing in recent days of heightened international tension is now over following de-escalation rhetoric from both Iran and the US. He called on Iranian-backed militia groups not to carry out attacks.
A new, strong Iraqi government able to protect the nation’s sovereignty and independence should be formed in the next 15 days and usher in an early election, the populist cleric said in a statement, Reuters reports.
He added that Iraqis should still seek to expel foreign troops, however.
“I call on the Iraqi factions to be deliberate, patient, and not to start military actions, and to shut down the extremist voices of some rogue elements until all political, parliamentary and international methods have been exhausted,” he said.
The Guardian’s latest view on the US-Iran crisis is that relief from tension and aggression may be short-lived.
Dominic Raab, Britain’s foreign secretary, arrived in Washington an hour ago. He had been expected to meet with counterpart Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, tomorrow but the meeting has been brought forward to late this afternoon.
It’s now expected to take place at 4.30pm ET/9.30pm GMT this afternoon. So far, we understand the two will not make public remarks before they disappear into their tête-a-tête but that could always change in the moment.
The two have met before, several times, and this was a pre-planned visit following the Conservative Party victory in December’s UK general election. It’s not an emergency meeting following the eruption of the US-Iran crisis in the last week (which affects NATO, British troops in Iraq, Britain’s participation in the Iran nuclear deal and British interests overall in a stable Middle East).
But there seems little doubt the events of the last six days will now be on the agenda.
Donald Trump urged Britain and others earlier today to join the US in abandoning the Iran nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, a terse read-out from the White House on a phone call earlier today between Donald Trump and British prime minister Boris Johnson. “The two leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East and agreed to continue close coordination in support of shared national security interests.”
The US did not consult nor notify the UK before it assassinated Iranian general Qassem Suleimani last week.
From Istanbul today: Turkey and Russia called on the US and Iran to prioritize diplomacy and de-escalate tensions, warning that the exchange of attacks by Washington and Tehran could lead to a new cycle of instability in the region.
The joint call was issued in a statement after a meeting between presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin in Turkey, where they were discussing cooperation on a gas pipeline, designed to connect the large gas reserves in Russia to the Turkish gas transportation network and provide energy supplies for Turkey, south and south-east Europe.
In part, the joint statement read: “We are deeply concerned about the escalation of the tension between the US and Iran as well as its negative repercussions on Iraq. We evaluate the targeting..of Qassem Suleimani and his entourage in Baghdad on 3 January as an act undermining security and stability in the region.
“In light of the ballistic missile attacks by Iran against coalition military bases in Iraq on 8 January 2020, we believe that exchange of attacks and use of force by any party do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East, but rather would lead to a new cycle of instability and would eventually damage everyone’s interests.”