By Alexis Coore 20'
On January 3rd of this year, President Donald Trump approved a drone strike that assassinated a man named Qasem Soleimani. This decision sparked a new high in American-Iranian tensions and quickly became the central topic of world news. Since then, Iran has countered in several different ways, and the United States might be forced to withdraw from Iraq. But why?
Well, for starters, this was no ordinary man. Qasem Soleimani was regarded as the most powerful man in Iran, second only to Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s leader. After a life of serving his nation as a part of the army, he later became the commander of the Quds Force, which specializes in unconventional warfare. Following the September 11th attacks on the Twin Towers, diplomats under Soleimani’s direction collaborated with the US to fight against the Taliban. Nonetheless, he was later designated as a terrorist for both the direct and indirect killing of hundreds of Americans. After his death, countless Iranian cities showcased funeral marches in his honor. And then just hours after his burial on January 7th, Iran retaliated.
According to an article from USA Today by William Cummings, “Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at US troops and coalition forces at two bases in Iraq an apparent retaliation for a US drone strike days earlier that killed one of Tehran’s most powerful officials, Gen. Qasem Soleimani.” It isn’t like the attack was much of a surprise. Iranian media had been reporting for the entire week that the military would strike back. In fact, thanks to the warning, the US had ample time to prepare their troops for the missiles.
“Eight of the service members are being assessed for concussion-like symptoms after the blasts,” said Jonathan Hoffman, the chief Pentagon spokesman in an interview with the Washington Post. Two of these men were thrown out of a window 15 feet high, and another three members requested therapy to help cope with the experience. In the end, there were 11 members in need of aid. Luckily, no lives were lost, nor were there any life-threatening injuries. There were no further acts against the United States.
Due to the lack of death, the US has decided against striking back. “Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world,” said President Trump in an interview CNN. Though Iran and the US have both decided to stand down, there is a chance of retaliation from Iraq, who lost military commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis in the aforementioned drone strike. There has been no action from Iraq as of yet. However, the Iraqis are now in the process of voting US troops and military personnel out of their country.
“Officials in Iraq’s parliament, where powerful blocks have unbreakable ties to Tehran, started a process to end the presence of foreign troops in the country, in a clear riposte to the US after it killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani,” wrote Angela Dewan in a CNN news article. The US has been stationed in Iraq for years in order to aid them against terrorism. The mission has claimed the lives of thousands of US soldiers as well as billions in taxpayers’ money. On top of that, a withdrawal now could mean the expansion of Iranian power onto Iraqi soil. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denied that the US will pull out from the country but has pointed to a gradual recession.
The dramatic unfolding of events has kept both Iranians and Americans on edge. It was thought for some time that the conflict might lead to a third World War. Thankfully, the dust seems to have settled, and there will be no more action on either side.
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