The remains of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander who was assassinated last week in an air strike in Baghdad by the United States, have arrived in his hometown of Kerman for burial later on Tuesday.
State television broadcast live images of thousands of people in the streets of Kerman, many dressed in black, to mourn Soleimani’s death.
Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, was killed along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi), an Iran-backed umbrella organisation comprising several militias. Several other people were also killed in Friday’s attack.
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The move by the US has drawn condemnation from international leaders and officials who fear that tensions in the region could escalate drastically. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that “a harsh retaliation is waiting”.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites “very hard” if Iran attacked US citizens or assets.
Here are the latest updates:
Tuesday, January 7
Croatia moves troops from Iraq to Kuwait
Croatia’s defense ministry said the country’s 14 troops in Iraq have been moved to Kuwait amid soaring tensions.
The statement said any future steps also will be made in consultation with NATO allies.
A growing number of European countries are shifting troops out of Iraq.
Zarif: ‘Days of the US in this region are numbered’
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said “the days of the US in this region are numbered”.
He reiterated his country’s stance that it will retaliate against the US, describing the assassination of Soleimani as “an act of war combined with an act of terrorism”.
“We are bound to protect our citizens and our military officials. It was an act that has to be reciprocated by Iran. We will make the necessary deliberations and it will be an act that we will do, not in a hurry, not in a hasty manner,” Zarif said in Tehran.
“However, the act by the United States had other elements – it enraged the feelings of many people outside Iran, inside Iran – that will have consequences for the United States.”
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Al Jazeera’s exclusive interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif |
40 killed, 213 injured in stampede: Iran state TV
At least 40 people were killed and 213 others were injured in a stampede that erupted at the funeral procession for Soleimani in Kerman, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, citing an emergency services official.
Initial videos posted online showed people lying lifeless on a road, others shouting and trying to help them.
Read more here.
US expected to deploy 6 bombers for possible operations: Report
According to a US official, the Pentagon is planning to deploy six B-52 aircraft to the British territory of Diego Garcia in the Indian ocean on Monday, CNN reported.
The B-52s will be available for operations against Iran if ordered, the official said.
Iran ‘ready to come back to full compliance’ in nuclear deal
Iran is “ready to come back to full compliance” with its nuclear deal with world powers, deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said, according to a tweet from the Foreign Ministry, though the post did not provide any information on possible conditions.
Iran announced on Sunday it would abandon limitations on enriching uranium, taking a further step back from commitments to a 2015 nuclear deal with six major powers, but said it would continue to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog.
Araghchi: Iran is ready to come back to full compliance of #JCPOA.#TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/ybBdNmwfl2
— Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) January 7, 2020
Iran considering 13 ‘revenge scenarios’ after US strike: Report
Iran has been considering 13 “revenge scenarios,” Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
“The Americans should know that until now 13 revenge scenarios have been discussed in the council and even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario, carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans,” Shamkhani said.
Germany to withdraw some troops from Iraq
Germany will withdraw some of its troops deployed as part of the anti-ISIL (ISIS) group coalition in Iraq, the defence ministry said.
About 30 soldiers stationed in Baghdad and Taji will be moved to Jordan and Kuwait, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP, adding that the withdrawal will “begin shortly”.
Germany has deployed about 415 soldiers as part of the anti-ISIL coalition, with about 120 of its troops stationed in Iraq.
Germany’s move came after the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution asking the government to end its agreement with the US-led coalition.
Iran FM says US declined him a visa to attend UN meeting
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the US had declined to issue him a visa to attend United Nations meetings in New York.
The US as the host of the UN headquarters is supposed to allow foreign officials to attend such meetings.
“They fear that someone comes to the US and reveals realities,” Zarif said, speaking in Tehran.
“The world is not limited to New York and you can talk to the American people from Tehran and we will do that.”
Iran designates all US forces ‘terrorists’
Iran’s parliament passed a bill designating all US forces “terrorists”.
Under the newly adopted bill, all US forces and employees of the Pentagon and affiliated organisations, agents and commanders and those who ordered the “martyrdom” of Soleimani were designated as “terrorists”.
“Any aid to these forces, including military, intelligence, financial, technical, service or logistical, will be considered as cooperation in a terrorist act,” parliament said.
Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig reporting from Tehran said that the bill is an amendment to a previous motion passed last year in April which designated the US Central Command as a “terrorist organisation,” Baig said.
Baig said lawmakers also voted for 200 million euros to be allocated to the Quds force “to boost their defensive power”.
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Iran’s FM Zarif: ‘End to US presence in the Middle East has begun |
Removing US from region will end ‘wars and death’: Zarif
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Trump committed a “stupid mistake by assassinating the greatest commander who stood in the face of terrorism” in the region.
Speaking in Tehran, he accused the US of basing its decisions on “miscalculations” and “misinterpretations” of the region, the outcome of which are deeply affecting the Middle East.
“Our region, because of the US’ intervention … has become victim to the endless war,” Zarif said.
“This pattern needs to be broken … These ongoing wars in the region, have provided a nesting ground for criminals,” he said.
“Removing the US from western Asia is what will … end wars and death in this region.”
Iran Guard leader threatens to ‘set ablaze’ US-backed places
Hossein Salami, leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, made a pledge before the crowd in a central square in Kerman to “set ablaze” places supported by the US.
His pledge mirrored the demands of top Iranian officials as well as mourners across Iran, demanding retaliation against the US.
Salami praised Soleimani’s exploits and said as a martyr, he represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies.
“We will take revenge. We will ablaze where they like,” Salami said, drawing the cries of “Death to Israel!” from the crowd.
Israel is a longtime regional foe of Iran.
Soleimani’s remains arrive in Kerman for burial
Soleimani’s remains arrived back in the southeastern city of Kerman, the official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday.
State TV showed live images of thousands of people on the streets, many of them dressed in black.
Read more here.
Saudi deputy defence minister met Esper, discussed ongoing military cooperation
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, said in a tweet on Tuesday he met US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and discussed mutual challenges faced by both countries.
Earlier he met US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.
Met with @EsperDoD to discuss mutual challenges faced by our countries, and emphasize the importance of our ongoing military cooperation, which serves regional and international security.
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) January 7, 2020
Iraq calls on UN to condemn US raid that killed Soleimani
Iraq’’ United Nations Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Aluloom called on the United Nations Security Council to condemn the US raid that killed Soleimani and the PMF leader.
He urged the council in a letter on Monday to hold accountable “those who have committed such violations”.
Bahr Aluloom also called on the Security Council to ensure “that Iraq is not dragged into international and regional crises,” and to prevent “the law of the jungle” from prevailing.
The US is almost certain to veto any Security Council action sought by Iraq against the Trump administration.
Read earlier updates here.
