Terror group issues 'legitimate target' warning to US nationals and allies
An Iraqi terror group says that all US nationals in the Middle East will be "legitimate targets" if Donald Trump was to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader.
In recent days both Israel and Donald Trump have hinted there could be plans to assassinate the country's religious patriarch Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - who is revered and respected across the Shiite world.
In response, Akram al-Kaabi - who rules the powerful Iraqi Shiite militia Karakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HaN - has said any threat to Khamenei's life would see the lives of the American people and their allies becoming "legitimate targets" anywhere in the region.
In March 2019, the group was designated a terror group by the US and hit it with sanctions prohibiting business with the militia or its leader. The 10,000-strong fighting force is active in both Iraq and Syria and is part of the wider 200,000-man Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iranian proxy.
The sanctions came over Nujaba's targeting of US forces in the two countries. They have also been accused of human rights violations.
Some consider the group as the most aggressive of the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, and has positioned itself as the armed resistance to US presence in the country. According to the Washington Institute, the militia is responsible for the majority of the attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan.
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The American attacks allow Netanyahu to end the wars with Iran and in Gaza, says his predecessor
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an hour ago
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Israel-Iran live: 'The game is not over', Khamenei aide warns - as US officials raise terror threat alert
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Ali Shamkhani said existing "enriched materials, local expertise and political will" all remain despite the physical damage done. He adds that the "operational initiative" is now in the "hands of the party that plays smart". 17:58:01 Iran warns of 'everlasting consequences' Despite international calls for Iran not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East, Tehran is furious following US strikes. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the US strikes "will have everlasting consequences" and that Tehran "reserves all options" to retaliate. Speaking today, he said the US and Israel had "blown up" any chance of nuclear negotiations and asked: "How can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?" He's also called for condemnation of the attacks from the UN Security Council at an emergency meeting. 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We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." 17:25:01 What you need to know in five bullet points If you're just joining us, here's the story at a glance: The US joined Israel's conflict with Iran last night by bombing nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan; Donald Trump said the strikes were a "spectacular military success" and warned Iran further attacks would follow if it didn't now move towards peace; The UN's nuclear watchdog said it was unclear what damage had been done at Fordow, but the Natanz site was now "completely destroyed" and Isfahan suffered "very significant damage"; Iran has branded the attacks "outrageous" and "criminal", while its parliament has reportedly suggested closing the Strait of Hormuz in response; Israel has continued its strikes in Iran following the US attacks, targeting dozens of sites across the country. 17:08:32 Before and after images show impact of US strikes at Natanz and Isfahan Before and after satellite images of Iran's Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites show the damage after US strikes. 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South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
US signals willingness to renew talks with Iran and avoid prolonged war
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China and Russia, where Mr Araghchi was heading for talks with President Vladimir Putin, condemned the US military action. The attacks were 'a gross violation of international law', said Russia's Foreign Ministry, which also advocated 'returning the situation to a political and diplomatic course'. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement warned about the risk of the conflict spreading to 'a global level'. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was moving military equipment into the area to protect its interests, people and allies, but that he was focused on finding a solution. The leaders of Italy, Canada, Germany and France agreed on the need for 'a rapid resumption of negotiations'. France's Emmanuel Macron held talks with the Saudi crown prince and sultan of Oman. Iran could try to stop oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which could create the same kind of inflationary shocks that the world felt after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Oil prices have increased in the financial markets as the war between Israel and Iran had intensified, climbing by 21% over the past month. The Pentagon briefing did not provide any new details about Iran's nuclear capabilities. Mr Hegseth said the timeline for the strikes was the result of a schedule set by Mr Trump for talks with Iran about its nuclear ambitions. 'Iran found out' that when Mr Trump 'says 60 days that he seeks peace and negotiation, he means 60 days of peace and negotiation', Mr Hegseth said. 'Otherwise, that nuclear programme, that new nuclear capability will not exist. He meant it.' — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2025 That statement was complicated as the White House had suggested last Thursday that Mr Trump could take as much as two weeks to determine whether to strike Iran or continue to pursue negotiations. But the US benefited from Iran's weakened air defences as it was able to conduct the attacks without resistance from Iran. 'Iran's fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran's surface to air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission,' Gen Caine said. Mr Hegseth said that a choice to move a number of B-2 bombers from their base in Missouri earlier Saturday was meant to be a decoy to throw off Iranians. He added that the US used other methods of deception as well, deploying fighters to protect the B-2 bombers that dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on Iran's site at Fordo.
