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Trump says 'Iran appears to be standing down' following missile strikes – live Trump says 'Iran appears to be standing down' following missile strikes – live
(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
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said a little earlier that the United States was calling for complete cooperation with any investigation into the cause of the crash of a Ukrainian airliner shortly after it took off from Tehran just over 12 hours ago.
In a statement, Pompeo said the US was prepared to offer Ukraine all possible assistance after the crash of the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737, which burst into flames shortly after take-off from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 people aboard.
There is speculation that the plane was shot down, and it appeared to burst into flames in mid-air. There is no confirmation of, or official lines on, causes yet.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Vadym Prystaiko, said that there were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians on board. The Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and the nine crew. There were also 10 Swedish passengers, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals, my Guardian colleagues in London and the Middle East report.
Meanwhile, announcing on his Facebook page that Ukraine would send a team of experts to Iran later today, president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said: “Our priority is to establish the truth and those responsible for this terrible catastrophe.”
Highlights of Trump speechHighlights of Trump speech
Here are some more detailed quotes of some of the main points made in the US president’s short address from the White House a little earlier.Here are some more detailed quotes of some of the main points made in the US president’s short address from the White House a little earlier.
Iran seen as standing down. “No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”Iran seen as standing down. “No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”
Boasting of US strength. “Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast...The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.”Boasting of US strength. “Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast...The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.”
A new Iran deal? Much to US allies’ chagrin, Trump announced in 2018 that the US intended to “exit” the 2013, multi-national Iran nuclear deal aimed at persuading Iran to abandon the pursuit of nuclear weapons in return for the easing of harsh economic sanctions. Trump said moments ago: “Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism. The time has come for the United Kingdom, Greece, France, Russia and China to recognize this reality. They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal, or JCPOA.”A new Iran deal? Much to US allies’ chagrin, Trump announced in 2018 that the US intended to “exit” the 2013, multi-national Iran nuclear deal aimed at persuading Iran to abandon the pursuit of nuclear weapons in return for the easing of harsh economic sanctions. Trump said moments ago: “Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism. The time has come for the United Kingdom, Greece, France, Russia and China to recognize this reality. They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal, or JCPOA.”
Further sanctions: “As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.” No details given.Further sanctions: “As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.” No details given.
NATO: “The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward. Today I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process.”NATO: “The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward. Today I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process.”
Donald Trump rounded off his short TV address to the public with what might normally be considered some small-talk or waffle but in the current context and with this president counts as actual diplomatic outreach.Donald Trump rounded off his short TV address to the public with what might normally be considered some small-talk or waffle but in the current context and with this president counts as actual diplomatic outreach.
It may be no more than lip service. But given that Trump often opts for bellicose and extremely simplistic rhetoric in denouncing or threatening anyone he regards as a foe, his closing sentences were noteworthy.It may be no more than lip service. But given that Trump often opts for bellicose and extremely simplistic rhetoric in denouncing or threatening anyone he regards as a foe, his closing sentences were noteworthy.
In fact, all the signals from the last 19 or so hours are that both Iran and the US have embarked on a hasty de-escalation of their sudden crisis.In fact, all the signals from the last 19 or so hours are that both Iran and the US have embarked on a hasty de-escalation of their sudden crisis.
As he wound down his speech moments ago, Trump referred to the battle against Islamic State, and American forces’ assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last October.As he wound down his speech moments ago, Trump referred to the battle against Islamic State, and American forces’ assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last October.
But then he swiftly pivoted.But then he swiftly pivoted.
“ISIS is a natural enemy of Iran,” Trump said at the White House. “We should work together on this and other shared priorities. To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future, and a great future, one that you deserve, of prosperity and harmony.”“ISIS is a natural enemy of Iran,” Trump said at the White House. “We should work together on this and other shared priorities. To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future, and a great future, one that you deserve, of prosperity and harmony.”
He concluded that the US is “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”He concluded that the US is “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”
This might be meaningless chat from the US president but indicates an unusual level-headedness, however brief, communicated via Trump by those advising him and is a clear de-escalation of the rhetoric.This might be meaningless chat from the US president but indicates an unusual level-headedness, however brief, communicated via Trump by those advising him and is a clear de-escalation of the rhetoric.
In his short speech, Donald Trump, who has been scathing and mocking of NATO, called on the alliance to “get more involved in the Middle East”.In his short speech, Donald Trump, who has been scathing and mocking of NATO, called on the alliance to “get more involved in the Middle East”.
He didn’t go into further detail and went on to boast that the USA is now self-sufficient in oil and natural gas, as “the number one producer in the world”, and said: “We do not need Middle East oil.”He didn’t go into further detail and went on to boast that the USA is now self-sufficient in oil and natural gas, as “the number one producer in the world”, and said: “We do not need Middle East oil.”
Trump then asserted, in warning Iran in characteristic tone, that “our missiles are big and powerful and accurate...and lethal.”Trump then asserted, in warning Iran in characteristic tone, that “our missiles are big and powerful and accurate...and lethal.”
He said he didn’t want to use force, however, and said that “America’s strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.”He said he didn’t want to use force, however, and said that “America’s strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.”
The US president just declared that he will impose additional economic sanctions on Iran.The US president just declared that he will impose additional economic sanctions on Iran.
He is calling on Europe to “break away from the remnants of the Iran nuclear deal”, which he called a “foolish” deal and had previously announced the US would abandon.He is calling on Europe to “break away from the remnants of the Iran nuclear deal”, which he called a “foolish” deal and had previously announced the US would abandon.
Trump has not given any details about the nature of further sanctions.Trump has not given any details about the nature of further sanctions.
Donald Trump has described last week’s missile assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani as “decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist”.Donald Trump has described last week’s missile assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani as “decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist”.
“Last week we eliminated the world’s top terrorist,” he said at the White House.“Last week we eliminated the world’s top terrorist,” he said at the White House.
Donald Trump has announced that there were no US casualties in the Iranian missile strikes on US facilities in Iraq last night.Donald Trump has announced that there were no US casualties in the Iranian missile strikes on US facilities in Iraq last night.
“Iran appears to be standing down,” he said.“Iran appears to be standing down,” he said.
The president has arrived and is now speaking.The president has arrived and is now speaking.
The US president is about to arrive at a briefing podium in the White House and will begin speaking shortly on the latest developments in the US-Iran crisis. Watch, live.The US president is about to arrive at a briefing podium in the White House and will begin speaking shortly on the latest developments in the US-Iran crisis. Watch, live.
Vice president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo just entered.Vice president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo just entered.
US Congress in limbo over Trump’s actions against IranUS Congress in limbo over Trump’s actions against Iran
Senior US House Democrats a little earlier today said there is no set schedule yet for voting on a war powers resolution that would limit Donald Trump’s actions regarding Iran, and that legislation is still being drafted.Representatives are seeking to put a check on the president’s power after he failed to inform Congress in advance of the US drone strike last week that killed top Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani as he was driving away from Baghdad airport in Iraq.Senior US House Democrats a little earlier today said there is no set schedule yet for voting on a war powers resolution that would limit Donald Trump’s actions regarding Iran, and that legislation is still being drafted.Representatives are seeking to put a check on the president’s power after he failed to inform Congress in advance of the US drone strike last week that killed top Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani as he was driving away from Baghdad airport in Iraq.
We are waiting for US president Donald Trump to make a televised address, live. He’s behind schedule by almost 15 minutes so far.
Meanwhile, despite what is being interpreted as relative restraint by Iran in its missile strikes last night, both towards the US and Iraq, the latest from Reuters is that the Iraqi foreign ministry plans to summon the Iranian ambassador in order to lodge an objection to the missile strikes on its soil.
The White House press pool has been called to gather at the door of the Palm Room at the White House.
They are waiting to enter an area called the grand foyer, in preparation for the president’s address at the top of the hour.
Portraits of Qassem Suleimani have been carried aloft in rallies from Gaza to Yemen, raising the prospect that his violent death will elevate him as an icon of anti-American resistance.
The powerful Iranian commander, who was buried on Wednesday, was hailed as a “living martyr” in the Islamic republic for his military and strategic exploits that included halting the Islamic State group as it rampaged across Iraq and Syria, the AFP agency writes.
After his assassination at the age of 62, in a US drone strike in Baghdad last week, some observers say his martyr status will grow, rendering him a figurehead for the disparate pro-Iranian groups that he guided and fostered.
“The shock factor isn’t so much that Suleimani has died - he was after all in many battles - but the way the US president has taken ownership of this will create that type of zeal and drive and commitment across the Middle East,” said Ellie Geranmayeh from the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Suleimani was a polarising figure, even within his own country.
But the so-called Iranian “axis of resistance” stretching from Iran to the Mediterranean Sea will now be “galvanised to focus more on their ultimate goal, which is the US withdrawal from as much of the Middle East as possible,” Geranmayeh told AFP.
Among Muslim Shiite communities, where Suleimani was seen as a champion in the face of Sunni aggression, there were expressions of grief, anger and resolve.
“The blood of the martyrs... is not just Iranian or Iraqi but belongs to the Muslim community and to free men around the world,” said a Huthi official in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital held by the Iran-backed militia.
At a mourning ceremony in the Gaza Strip Suleimani was eulogised by the militant Palestinian movement Islamic Jihad and his image was raised high in Lebanon.
In Iran, Suleimani was widely regarded as a hero for his staunch defence of the country, his defeat of the IS jihadist group, and his role in the grinding 1980s conflict between Iran and Iraq.
Since his death, Suleimani has been hailed as the “Che Guevara of the Middle East” in some quarters, but the region’s schisms and fractures present a much more complex picture.
“They’re packaging Suleimani as this foreign policy guru, martyr, strategist... away from the narrative that he was a terrorist and responsible for loss of life,” said Sanam Vakil from the London-based Chatham House.
Iran is believed to have deliberately sought to avoid US military casualties in last night’s missile strikes on bases housing American troops in Iraq, according to US and European government sources familiar with intelligence assessments, Reuters writes moments ago.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday the Iranians were thought to have targeted the attacks to miss US forces, in order to prevent the crisis from escalating out of control, while still sending a message of Iranian resolve.
A source in Washington said overnight that early indications were of no US casualties, while other US officials declined comment.
US Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, speaking in the chamber on Capitol Hill moments ago communicated a relatively cautious message, following the Iranian missile strikes last night and ahead of Donald Trump’s plan to address the nation on television at the top of the hour.
“I was troubled but not surprised by reports that Iran fired ballistic missiles at US forced,” he said, of the strikes within Iraq.
He said the Iranian threat “had been growing for years” and noted: “It will continue even beyond the death of Iran’s master terrorist Qassem Suleimani. We must remain vigilant.”
He pointed out that “apparently” there had been no injuries or deaths as a result of the strikes last night. “But they demonstrated progress Iran has made...towards a large and long-range missile force.”
McConnell then added that the strikes were “a stark reminder that Iran and its proxies have been a cancer on Iraqi sovereignty and politics for a long time.”
Senior Democrats have been expressing concern about the lack of information coming from the Trump administration about the standoff with Iran, and have called on officials in the Defense department to provide regular briefings and documents to Congress.
“While recognizing the need for operations security, we similarly believe there is a requirement to be transparent with the American people about how many troops this Administration plans to deploy in support of contingency plans,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and other senior Democrats wrote in a letter on Wednesday.
The Democrats also expressed grave concern over Trump’s recent comments on targeting Iranian cultural sites, and asked for clarification. They said they expected a response by Friday.
The Pentagon has contradicted Trump, saying cultural sites would not be a target. US secretary of defense Mark Esper acknowledged that such an attack is against international law and would be considered a war crime, adding: “We will follow the laws of armed conflict.”
The Iranian strikes on Iraqi bases last night appear to have been carefully designed to avoid US casualties, and may offer both sides a pathway out of the standoff, the Guardian’s Michael Safi writes:
Here’s a summary of where events stand so far today:
Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at Iraqi bases hosting US and coalition troops overnight, declaring the strikes to be retaliation for the killing last week of the senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. You can read the full report here. Iranian officials initially told state media, without presenting evidence, that at least 80 US personnel had been killed or injured in the strikes, but President Donald Trump tweeted that casualty assessments were underway but “so far, so good”. He is expected to make a statement at 11am ET this morning.
The Iraqi prime minister’s office said it had 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 the country.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, described the bombings as “a slap in the face” for the US but warned that Tehran still had a wider goal of expelling its enemy from the region. He told an audience in the city of Qom:
International leaders have called on both sides to refrain from further violence. EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said “the use of weapons must stop now to give space for dialogue”.
Meanwhile, a passenger plane bound for the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, has crashed a few minutes after taking off from Tehran’s main international airport, killing 176 people. Iran’s Red Crescent said there was no chance of finding survivors, and Pir Hossein Kulivand, an Iranian emergency official, later told state TV all those onboard had been killed. Iran has said it will not hand over the black box of the plane – which contains vital records of how the tragedy occurred – to Boeing.
The White House has said Trump will deliver an address at 11am EST (4pm GMT) following the Iranian attacks on Iraqi military bases housing US troops
Welcome to the Guardian’s US politics live blog, where we’ll be focused on the latest developments on the fallout from the Iranian missile attack on US forces in Iraq last night.
The Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has condemned Iran’s missile strike, and has urged Iran to refrain from further violence.
European leaders have pleaded in public and in private with the Trump administration on Wednesday to draw a line in its conflict with Iran, and not to respond militarily to Iran’s “retaliatory” missile attack, which came days after the US drone strike in Iraq that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is expected to address the public on TV this morning about the Iran crisis. The time has not yet been specified.
In other US politics news, the impeachment process for bringing Trump to trial before the Senate is in suspended animation this morning. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had to break off from briefing her caucus of Democrats on Capitol Hill, when they had expected to hear details about the next step in impeachment, last night, after the Iranian missiles were launched.
There is no indication yet of when she intends to deliver the articles of impeachment (aka congressional charges against the president) to the Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate appears intent on attempting to barrel through with the eventual trial without any witnesses being allowed.