Donald Trump has told Iran that it will be held accountable for lives lost in attacks on any US facilities, saying: “This is not a warning, it is a threat”.
The US president spoke after protesters angry about US air strikes on Iraqstormed a security post at the US Embassyin Baghdad.
Mr Trump has said the attack was orchestrated by Iran, a claim Tehran has denied.
…. Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)December (************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************,
“Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat,” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter .
“Happy New Year!”
“The US Embassy in Iraq is, & has been for hours, SAFE! Many of our great Warfighters, together with the most lethal military equipment in the world, was immediately rushed to the site,” the US president added.
************
Earlier on Tuesday, protesters, many of them in militia uniforms, shouted “down, down USA!”, “Death to America!” and “death to Israel!” outside the compound.
They also pelted the entrance with stones as they chanted: “No, no America! No, no Trump!”.
(Militia members later set fire to a reception area after forcing their way into the site, and several US soldiers were seen on the roof of the main building.
**************
Gunfire was heard and there were reports of tear gas, with Reuters news agency saying People involved in the protests were injured.
Iran has rejected accusations it Was behind the violent protests.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the Pentagon was sending extra forces to support personnel at the embassy, while Mr Trump spoke with Iraqi prime minister to “emphasise” the need for US facilities to be protected in the country.
) ********************************Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US “will protect and defend Americans in Iraq” during a phone conversation with Iraqi leaders, adding that extra marines would be deployed.
The US State Department Reports from Iraqi officials that the US ambassador had been evacuated from the site in Baghdad were false. It said all US personnel at the embassy were safe and there were no plans to evacuate the site.
Matt Tueller, the envoy, had been on previously scheduled personal travel and was returning to the embassy, an official said.
***
Donald Trump tweeted a “threat” to Iran after the US embassy was targeted
The developments represent a major downturn
in Iraq-US relationsthat could further undermine US influence in the region and weaken Washington’s hand in its campaign against Iran.
The protests began after Iraq condemned Washington for the strikes that killed more than two-dozen fighters from an Iran-backed militia over the weekend.
US officials said the move was in response to rocket attacks on a military base in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Friday, which left a US contractor dead.
********************************
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings