The tension between US and Iran is since long but the things went beyond control when USA did Airstrikes that killed about 25 fighters of Kataeb Hezbollah in response to a volley of 36 rockets last week that killed one US Contractor at an Iraqi base. On 31st December protestors in support of Hashes al-Shaabi attacked US Embassy in Iraq.
On January 1, President Trump tweeted threat to Iran, which escalated the situation between both countries. On other side Iran said It is ready to confront USA in case of any war like situation.
Before 7 days (December 28) Iran gave a very clear message to USA by doing a joint naval exercise with China and Russia in Indian Ocean & Gulf of Oman. The 4-day drill comes as Iran is seeking to boost its military cooperation with China and Russia in face of economic sanctions from USA.
On January 3 US did an airstrike in Baghdad that killed Iran’s most powerful general Qasem Soleimani along with Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi Al Mehandis which escalated the situation exponentially. The White House put out statement saying the strike was a “decisive defensive action” carried out “at the direction of the president”.
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said in a statement “Suleimani’s martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America’s expansionism and to defend our Islamic values. With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge.”
On January 4, Red Flag Of Doom Unfurled Over Mosque in Iran For The First Time In History which indicated the announcement of war like situation and at about 10pm IST Iran attacked US Embassy in Baghdad by 3 Rockets, 2 rockets hit Balad Airbase of Iraq which had US troops. Mosul Military airbase of Iraq where US troops were present was also attacked. After which US spy planes covered the sky and US choppers started swarming at the spot. Pro-Iranian militia said it will start targeting American soldiers in Iraq from Sunday afternoon. “Start of the end of America in the region.” “American bodies will be laying across the Middle East.” Hezbollah also requested Iraqi forces to stay away atleast 1000m from US base s and troops as they might be planning more severe attacks.
Iranian regime gave a threat to hit 35 US bases along with Israel’s TelAviv. In response to Iranian attack on US Embassy in Baghdad, White House issued a warning for Iran which states “If Iran strikes any American or American asset we will target 52 Iranian sites (Important to Iranian culture) Iran will be hit very fast and very hard.”
President Trump in justifying Soleimani’s assassination tried to drag India in this issue by calling the name of NewDelhi being suffered from Iran based terrorism but Iran’s ambassador to India Ali Chegeni denies these allegations. Iraqi parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to end all foreign troop presence in Iraq and to cancel its request for assistance from the US-led coalition which had been working with Baghdad to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Canadian and Spanish troops have started dislocation from Iraq to Kuwait and neaby region.
Iraq is trying to digress from the issue as it is bringing much loss to the country. Saudi Arabia also gave a signal of digress by stating that Saudi Arabia was not consulted by US for Airstrike on Soleimani.
The more interesting point is 4 days back Pompeo called COAS General Bajwa of Pakistan to resume military training for Pakistan and to discuss about Soleimani’s assassination. Geography works as Iran is immediate neighbour of Pakistan, after Iraqi stand on expelling US troops from its land, US might be looking at Pakistan for support. Pakistan have to the decision carefully as a wrong move may cause more problems for self.
Iranian Parliament passed a resolution designated US Army and Pentagon as terrorist organisations. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed “The real revenge for asssassination of Soleimani will be ending US presence in the region.” On 7th of January at about 2 AM Iran attacked Al-Assad Military base of Iraq (Largest US base in Iraq) by 22 short range ballistic missiles for which Iran claimed to have killed 80 US soldiers but Pentagon denied the same.
Early morning on 8th January a Ukranian Air flight Boeing 737 crashed just after a takeoff from Iranian capital Tehran in which all 180 passengers got died, the incident is still in ambiguity as few experts are saying the Airplane was attacked by a missile.
Iran warned all allied countries of US that if attacks are launched from bases in their countries on Iran, they will be a target of military retaliations.
China and Russia seems in the game now. China’s ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao conveyed Beijing’s readiness to provide military assistance to Iraq, on other side Russia stated that it does not see Iran’s nuclear program as a threat. Russia has predicted a nuclear war in near future. According to few reports Russia has deployed S400 Air defence system in Iran.
India is trying to balance between both the countries Since we have billions of dollars investment in chabahar port in Iran to reach the region of middle east including Afghanistan along with crude oil imports (though suspended after US sanctions) and on other side we have strong strategic and economic relations with US.
Today Indian Foreign affairs minister Dr. S.Jaishankar called Iranian foreign minister Mr. Javad Zarif to discuss the tension in the region. India is deeply concerned about the issue and is keeping a sharp eye on it. We don’t know what would happen in near future but let’s hope for de-escalation and pray for peace in region.
-Shivam Saxena
M.Tech