On Friday, January 3rd, 2020, President Donald Trump ordered a drone missile strike that resulted in the death of Qassem Soleimani, a top general of Iran. Soleimani has been described as “the single most powerful operative in the Middle East today” and “second to only the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in power in Iran.” Trump claimed that Soleimani was behind many attacks on United States Assets and soldiers, including the recent attack on the American Embassy in Baghdad on December 31, 2019, where Iranian-backed militia Kata’ib Hezbollah attacked a United States embassy in the green zone. Trump also stated that Soleimani was plotting “imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel.”
Trump’s actions have been met with burning anger and passion in Iran, and the crowds displayed “an outpouring of emotion on the streets since the death of the revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989”, according to the New Yorker. The article continues to say “[Soleimani’s] death has already spurred anti-American sentiment across the Middle East.” Many Iranians have voiced calls for revenge for Soleimani’s death. During the funeral procession on Saturday, January fourth, thousands of mourners joined in the chant “Death to America”.
A stampede during the funeral has led to a rising death toll of at least 56 people. Iranian State TV reported at least 213 other people were injured in the stampede as well. Soleimani’s burial has now been postponed, with no word on when it will take place, due to safety concerns.
On the same day, in the U.S., Trump issued a threat in the form of a tweet, saying that he has “targeted 52 Iranian sites.” The specifics of these 52 significant cultural sites have not been released to the public. The number 52 is a reference to the Iran hostage crisis where 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for over a year.
Many people have voiced their concerns over Trump’s decision and actions, saying it will likely result in a war. Democratic Nominee Joe Biden referred to Trump’s tweets, calling them “incredibly dangerous and irresponsible.” Senator Elizabeth Warren also responded to Trump’s tweets, warning that he was “threatening to commit war crimes,” and stated, “You do not get to start a war with Iran, and your threats put our troops and diplomats at greater risk. Stop.”
Others are worried about how recent developments will affect the terrorist group, ISIS. In order to focus on protecting coalition forces, anti-ISIS operations have been paused by the U.S. military. Barbara Slavin, director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council stated that “Winners from this are ISIS” among other groups when referring to the initial drone strike.
4 days after the drone strike, Iran struck back with a missile strike of their own. On Tuesday, January 7th, Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops.
Just the next day, a Ukranian plane was shot down near an Iranian military base, killing all 176 passengers on board. 3 days after the incident, Iran confessed to shooting down the plane. However, the Iranian government revealed that the attack was unintentional, and a result of tensions with the U.S. After Iran launched its missile strike, the Iranian military was on high alert for a response to the missile attack. The operator who fired at the plane reportedly mistook the plane for an incoming American missile.
As tensions drastically increase between the U.S. and Iran, a war seems to be on the horizon. Both countries have been reported to want to avoid war. However, Defense secretary Mark Esper says “We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one.”
Article by Steven Wang of Takoma Park Middle School
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons