…Oil prices jumped after the killing with Brent crude trading higher at $68.16 per barrel
FRI, JAN 03 2020-theG&BJournal-The US has suspended its Consular operations with immediate effect and ordered its citizens out of Iraq following the deadly airstrike that killed top Iranian commander General Qassim Soleimani Thursday.
The US State Department earlier updated its travel warning for Iraq advising Americans against travelling to the region, a day before US President Donald Trump authourised the strike that killed Soleimani near Baghdad International airport.
The United States Department of Defense issued a statement that said the American strike was carried out “at the direction of the president” and asserted that Soleimani had been planning further attacks on American diplomats and military personnel and had approved the attacks on the American embassy in Baghdad.
Oil prices jumped after the killing with Brent crude trading higher at $68.16 per barrel.
Iran has vowed harsh revenge, a vow that signals a huge escalation in the region. Iranian officials strongly condemned the move as an act of terrorism, declaring General Soleimani assassination is seen as a massive attack on Iran.
The Iran defense minister says the US will receive a crushing response over the assassination of Soleimani, who is viewed as a national hero in Iran.
Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed that harsh retaliation awaits ‘’those criminals behind martyrdom of General Soleimani,’’ saying that resistance movement will press ahead with more strength.
Meanwhile, seemingly furious US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the President Trump carried out the US airstrike that killed Suleimani without consultation of Congress and said she wants details from Trump. Pelosi said the strike ‘’risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.’’
‘’America and the world cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return,’’ Pelosi said in a statement late Thursday.
Russia also responded to the airstrike issuing a statement that said the US killing Soleimani will increase tensions in the Middle East.
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