Latest news with #USTroops
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS U.S. military braces for Iran counterstrikes on 'bases and facilities' after Trump destroys critical nuclear sites
In the wake on America's attack on Iranian nuclear sites Saturday, US military leaders are telling their troops to prepare for potential retaliatory attacks. Military leaders are telling troops that tonight's attack 'will likely result in counterstrikes on US bases and facilities' in the Middle East, and 'likely activate Iran and other foreign terrorist organizations cells abroad including the US to conduct strikes against US persons and facilities.' US military now briefing troops that its strike on Iran "will likely result in counterstrikes on US bases and facilities" in the Middle East, and "likely activate Iran and other foreign terrorist organizations cells abroad including the US to conduct strikes against US persons… — Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) June 22, 2025
New York Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Iran Is Preparing Missiles for Possible Retaliatory Strikes on U.S. Bases
Iran has prepared missiles and other military equipment for strikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East should the United States join Israel's war against the country, according to American officials who have reviewed intelligence reports. The United States has sent about three dozen refueling aircraft to Europe that could be used to assist fighter jets protecting American bases or that would be used to extend the range of bombers involved in any possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Fears of a wider war are growing among American officials as Israel presses the White House to intervene in its conflict with Iran. If the United States joins the Israeli campaign and strikes Fordo, a key Iranian nuclear facility, the Iranian-backed Houthi militia will almost certainly resume striking ships in the Red Sea, the officials said. They added that pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria would probably try to attack U.S. bases there. Other officials said that in the event of an attack, Iran could begin to mine the Strait of Hormuz, a tactic meant to pin American warships in the Persian Gulf. Commanders put American troops on high alert at military bases throughout the region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The United States has more than 40,000 troops deployed in the Middle East. Two Iranian officials have acknowledged that the country would attack U.S. bases in the Middle East, starting with those in Iraq, if the United States joined Israel's war. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Iraq treads a tightrope to avoid spillover from Israel-Iran conflict
BAGHDAD: In Iraqi airspace, Iranian missiles and drones have crossed paths with Israeli warplanes, forcing Baghdad to step up efforts to avoid being drawn into the region's latest conflict. But with Baghdad both an ally of Iran and a strategic partner of the United States, Israel's closest supporter, it may struggle to avoid the fighting spreading to its territory. 'There is a sizable risk of a spillover escalation in Iraq,' said political analyst Sajad Jiyad. 'Iraqis have a right to be worried,' he added. With warnings of all-out regional war intensifying following Israel's surprise assault on Iran last week, fears are growing over an intervention by Iran-backed Iraqi factions, which have been calling for the withdrawal of US troops deployed in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. A senior Iraqi security official told AFP on condition of anonymity that among pro-Iran actors 'everyone is cooperating with the government to keep Iraq away from conflict.' But Jiyad warned that if the US supports Israel's attacks, it 'may lead to pro-Iran elements inside Iraq targeting US troops' or other American interests like the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Irbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region. This could lead to the US and Israel taking retaliatory actions within Iraq, Jiyad added. Iraq, which has been for years navigating a delicate balancing act between Tehran and Washington, has long been a fertile ground for proxy battles. In 2020, during US President Donald Trump's first term, Washington killed Iran's esteemed Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Most recently, amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Iraq was on the brink of being drawn into the conflict after pro-Iran factions launched numerous attacks on US troops in the region, as well as mostly failed attacks on Israel, in support of Palestinians. Washington retaliated by hitting the armed groups. In recent days, Baghdad has been working diplomatic channels to prevent the latest violence from spreading onto its turf. It has called on Washington to prevent Israeli jets from using Iraqi airspace to carry out attacks against Iran. It also asked Iran not to strike US targets in its territory, and was promised 'positive things,' according to a senior Iraqi official. Israel's use of Iraq's airspace has angered pro-Iran groups, who accused US troops of allowing it. Powerful armed faction Kataeb Hezbollah stressed that Iran does not need 'military support,' but it said that the group is 'closely monitoring' the US military in the region. It warned that if Washington intervenes in the war, the group 'will act directly against its interests and bases in the region without hesitation.' A US official urged the Iraqi government to 'protect diplomatic missions, as well as US military personnel.' 'We believe Iraq will be more stable and sovereign by becoming energy independent and distancing itself from Iran's malign influence,' the official told AFP, referring to Iraq's dependency on gas imports from Iran. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that Iran-backed groups 'continue to engage in violent and destabilising activities in Iraq.' Israel's surprise attack on Iran targeted military and nuclear facilities and killed many top commanders and atomic scientists. Iran responded by unleashing barrages of missile strikes on Israel. Tamer Badawi, an expert on Iraqi armed groups, said 'the more Iran struggles to sustain its firepower against Israel, the likelier it becomes that Iraqi paramilitary actors will be drawn in.' For now, 'Iran is trying to avoid collateral damage to its network by keeping its regional allies on standby. But this posture could shift,' he added. Before launching its attack on Iran, Israel had badly hit Tehran's proxies in the region, significantly weakening some groups, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. 'Beyond attacks within Iraq, Iran-backed Iraqi groups retain the capacity to target Israel from western Iraq using their missile arsenals, as they have done before,' Badawi said. They might also target American interests in Jordan. But Iraqi officials say they have other plans for their country, which has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil. Iraq is gearing up for its legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. For armed groups, elections are a crucial battleground as they strive to secure more seats in parliament. 'Sometimes, the sword must be kept in the sheath, but this does not mean abandoning our weapons,' a commander of an armed faction told AFP. The armed groups will not leave Iran, their 'godfather.. in the battle alone.'
CNA
15-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
South Korea's Lee plans to hold bilateral talks at G7 summit, his office says
SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung plans to hold bilateral talks with the leaders of countries attending the G7 summit, with details still being coordinated, his office said on Sunday (Jun 15). Lee will depart on Monday for the summit in Canada, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told a briefing. The presidential office said Seoul was open to holding trilateral talks with Washington and Tokyo, the Yonhap news agency reported. Lee was also preparing for potential talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in case he attends, Yonhap said, citing a presidential office official. "By engaging with the leaders of the United States and Japan, we can explore ways to resolve pending economic and trade issues such as tariffs," Wi said. Lee plans to hold meetings with leaders of key countries before and after attending the extended session of the summit, Wi added, without naming countries. Seoul and Washington are holding working-level tariff talks, crucial for South Korea's export-oriented economy, with key sectors from chips to vehicles and shipbuilding heavily exposed to global trade. US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on South Korea, a long time ally with which it has a bilateral free trade deal, and pressed it to pay more for the 28,500 US troops stationed there. Lee, a liberal, was elected on Jun 3 after former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and ousted over his short-lived declaration of martial law last year.
Reuters
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
South Korea's Lee plans to hold bilateral talks at G7 summit, his office says
SEOUL, June 15 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung plans to hold bilateral talks with the leaders of countries attending the G7 summit, with details still being coordinated, his office said on Sunday. Lee will depart on Monday for the summit in Canada, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told a briefing. The presidential office said Seoul was open to holding trilateral talks with Washington and Tokyo, the Yonhap news agency reported. Lee was also preparing for potential talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in case he attends, Yonhap said, citing a presidential office official. "By engaging with the leaders of the United States and Japan, we can explore ways to resolve pending economic and trade issues such as tariffs," Wi said. Lee plans to hold meetings with leaders of key countries before and after attending the extended session of the summit, Wi added, without naming countries. Seoul and Washington are holding working-level tariff talks, crucial for South Korea's export-oriented economy, with key sectors from chips to vehicles and shipbuilding heavily exposed to global trade. U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on South Korea, a long time ally with which it has a bilateral free trade deal, and pressed it to pay more for the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed there. Lee, a liberal, was elected on June 3 after former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and ousted over his short-lived declaration of martial law last year. The visit will mark Lee's first diplomatic trip since taking office.
