As part of the incendiary and escalating crisis surrounding the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, there has come an explanation of why the Iranian commander was actually in Baghdad when he was targeted by a US missile strike.

Iraq’s prime minister revealed that he was due to be meeting the Iranian commander to discuss moves being made to ease the confrontation between Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia – the crux of so much of strife in the Middle East and beyond.

Adil Abdul-Mahdi was quite clear: “I was supposed to meet him in the morning the day he was killed, he came to deliver a message from Iran in response to the message we had delivered from the Saudis to Iran.”

The prime minister also disclosed that Donald Trump had called him to ask him to mediate following the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad. According to Iraqi officials contact was made with a number of militias as well as figures in Tehran. The siege of the embassy was lifted and the US president personally thanked Abdul-Mahdi for his help.

There was nothing to suggest to the Iraqis that it was unsafe for Soleimani to travel to Baghdad – quite the contrary. This suggests that Trump helped lure the Iranian commander to a place where he could be killed. It is possible that the president was unaware of the crucial role that Soleimani was playing in the attempted rapprochement with the Saudis. Or that he knew but did not care.

One may even say that it is not in the interest of a president who puts so much emphasis on American arms exports, and whose first official trip after coming to office was a weapons-selling trip to Saudi Arabia – during which he railed against Iran – to have peace break out between the Iranians and the kingdom. But that would be far too cynical a thought.

Abdul-Mahdi spoke of his disappointment that while Trump was expressing his gratitude over the mediation, he was also simultaneously planning an attack on Soleimani. That attack took place not long after the telephone call from the president.

There is also the possibility that the US military planners knew nothing about the conversations between Trump and Abdul-Mahdi, and took out Soleimani when the opportunity presented itself.

There may be credence to this, if one follows the narrative which is emerging from defence and intelligence officials in Washington: that the assassination option presented to Trump was bound to be refused, as it had been by his predecessors in the White House. And that there was a desperate scramble to track down Soleimani when, much to their shock, Trump ordered the hit.

What does the Iran crisis mean for Trump’s impeachment?

The existence of the talks between the Saudi and the Iranians and, more importantly, the threat of impending violence, has meant reaction in Riyadh at the killing has been markedly muted.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, not a stranger to sabre rattling, has sent his younger brother, deputy defence minister Khalid bin Salman, to Washington to urge restraint.

The very real risk of the region becoming a arena for conflict has led to rare cooperation in the stand-off between the Saudi-led Gulf block and Qatar, whose foreign minister was dispatched to Tehran with a similar appeal for calm.

In Tehran, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani to discuss “measures to maintain the security and stability of the region,” the state-run Qatar News Agency reported. While in the UAE the foreign minister, Anwar Gargash, called for “rational engagement”, tweeting: “wisdom and balance must prevail.”

As well as being in danger of getting caught in the crossfire of a war between the US and Iran, the Arab states in the region are vulnerable to Tehran’s allied militias – in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. There is concern whether the US, after unleashing a wave of missiles, would do anything when retribution is taken on its partner countries.

The Saudis learned only too clearly last summer that one cannot always depend on American commitment, when drone and missile attacks on oil-processing facilities in the kingdom halved oil production. Trump directly blamed Iran for the attacks but there was no American military response, just as there has not been to the many attacks on the kingdom from the Houthis in Yemen.

In the light of all this Khalid al-Dakhil, a Saudi political sociologist, pointed out: “Saudi Arabia and all the Gulf countries are just quiet. They don’t want to antagonise the Iranians, because the situation in the region is so delicate, so divided, so sensitive, that you don’t want to stir it up further.”

Robert Emerson, a British security analyst, said that it was clear why caution was prevailing. “You don’t know whether Trump will just light the blue touchpaper and then just disappear,” he said. “The Arab states are right to be wary. The talk about Iran and Saudi negotiations is intriguing, further details should be emerging.’’

The Trump administration continues to insist that Soleimani was killed because he was about to launch an imminent terror campaign, without providing any evidence for the assertion. There is increasing scepticism about the claim and the questions are not going to go away. There are too many memories of Saddam Hussein and his non-existent WMD arsenal. The repercussions from the assassination in Baghdad will continue for a very long time.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/qassem-soleimani-death-iran-baghdad-middle-east-iraq-saudi-arabia-a9272901.html

The Fact of the Matter is That the Sanctions on Iran by the USA crippled Iran and its officials..

Iranian igc are known to fight through their proxies ..

Iran is a nation with Some great citizens but Extremists jihadist leaders.. Their Hatred for Isreal is out of this World...

Jerusalem ( The city of David) is the Target.. but it's in vain..

Most of the Fights you see in the Middle East is what I Term " The Hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob"

Hezebollah
PMF
Hamas
Yemenis fighters
Are all proxies of iran..

The Blowing up of Saudi Aramco was purely the Iran Igc..

The Killing of the American contractor in Iraq was purely the Iran igc

The Destruction of the USA embassy in Iraq by The PMF was the Hand of Iran..

General Suleiman was with Vice Commander of PMF when they were targeted !

Iran Greatest Enemies is Isreal...

The sight of Isreal runs their leaders mad..

Their Issue with American is because of the US support for Isreal

If you take your time to read the expository below ,then one will understand the constituent of the "vast crowd" at the terrorist burial as they don't represent the ordinarily suppressed iranians.


Basij, The Oppressive Arm Of The Iranian Regime 



Shortly after the 1979 revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic, gave a speech to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and emphasized that the country needed a 20 million-strong army to be able to defend itself against its enemies, particularly the United States.

Iranian sources consider that date the official establishment of the Basij (the name means mobilization). However, the related law was only passed in June 1980.​



​It states that the purpose of the Basij is "to train and organize all volunteers for encountering any threat and invasion against the accomplishments of the Islamic revolution from inside and outside.”

​The law also places the Basij organization under the control of the supreme leader; however, in practice, it has always been supervised by the IRGC.

When Iraq under Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in September 1980, the ayatollahs faced a challenge in defending the country. They had weakened the country’s military by executing or imprisoning many high-ranking military officers, allegedly for being loyal to the previous regime or being involved in suppressing the revolutionaries.



Under such circumstances, the Basij started to recruit millions of volunteers for the war. Without the contribution of the so-called Basijis, Iran most probably would have lost the war to Saddam’s army.

When the war was over, the IRGC started to use the Basij for staging propaganda events in support of the regime. For instance, when the supreme leader calls for a rally in support of the system or against Western countries, the Basijis are the first on the scene and encourage or even force others to 

During the presidency of Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), who attempted some political reforms, Basijis became thugs attacking reformist politicians, journalists, students, or anyone critical of the conservative establishment.

The height of their notoriety was the protests against the re-election of Mahmud Ahmadinejad as Iran’s president in 2009, when they were armed by the IRGC to suppress protesters.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, third left, reviews Basij paramilitary volunteers, affiliated to the elite Revolutionary Guard, during their parade ceremony, as he is accompanied by Revolutionary Guard's commander Yahya Rahim Safavi, second left, T



​​In addition to beating up supporters of the so-called Green Movement and handing them over to security forces, they were also responsible for killing dozens. Their most famous victim was a 26-year-old woman who was shot by a Basiji in June 2009 in downtown Tehran. The video of her tragic death shook the country and the world. Later, a suspect was arrested who carried a Basij identity card.

The Basij also does significant recruitment in schools. Therecruits are separated into categories, "Omidan" (Hopes, in elementary schools); "Pouyandegan" (Seekers, in middle schools) and "Pishgaman" (Standard Bearers, in high schools).

Confession from a Basij


All my fellow [Basij] had come. Some were on motorbikes. The little and simple equipment of the Basij is more efficient than armies. We put everything in the van and went while chanting: “Ali, Ali” [eds: Shi’a first imam and son in law and cousin of the Prophet Mohammad]. The [Basij members] were all in very good spirits. Someone said, let’s say Salawat [a prayer] for the health of the Hidden Imam. One member said Salawat for the health of Imam Khamenei and the annihilation of the sedition [eds: Green Movement]. Another said Salawat for the guidance of the seditionists. 

We reached the [base]. Everything was secret. We were the only one who knew about it, [along with] the locals, cars that were passing by, and finally foreign spies!!! We were supposed to have lunch and wait until they told us where to go. After waiting -- which has become routine for the Basij -- the commander talked to us and gave us some old advice. When he was about to leave, everyone shouted, “What happened to lunch?!” and at the same moment the deployment order came. After some preparation they started distributing some snacks. I didn’t receive any Sandis and cake, we didn’t even get straws that we could poke into opposition leader Mehdi Karrubi’s eyes. [eds: Snacks and drinks, including Sandis juices, were reportedly distributed at some progovernment demonstrations, prompting the opposition to say participants and Basij members only go to these events for the refreshments.]

Two countries will suffer Iran's ire viz Saudi Arabia's oil installations and Isreal. That's Trumps foolishness. He forgot that it is America's allies in the region that will bear the brunt of his foolishness.

To think that it was the same Trump that was castigating Obama (a much more seasoned diplomat) on WWIII .



A Republican president facing a tough re-election campaign and widely viewed as hopelessly out of his depth. Bureaucrats itching to turn US military firepower on a Middle Eastern regime they claim without evidence is plotting an imminent attack. Compliant sections of the media that put flag-waving jingoism ahead of skeptical scrutiny.

This is just as it was in late 2002, when President George W Bush’s administration built unstoppable momentum towards invading Iraq, promising to destroy weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that never existed. Nearly two decades later the potential target is not Iraq but Iran, with many of the same concerns over false pretexts and official lies.

The main goal of us in middle East is to create unrest.. Look at Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq. They tried everything until they fuel and eliminated Gadafi. Is Libya peaceful since then? It cannot because America will keep creating problems for them and make the country unrest and then come back again to establish a military base in the country in the name of PEACEFUL MISSION and keep exploiting their economy and gain more in selling of ammunition. same thing applicable to Syria. I don't know why some people will base dia news channel on BBC and CNN only. If America government called sulaimani a terrorist then the ISIS he is fighting are saint. Sulaimani army were the people that sent ISIS away from Iran territory and they are the soldiers that are fighting ISIS in Iraq and Lebanon and some factions of them in Syria. I know truth about American atrocities can never c d limelight since they control the media.

Karma

abeg make US and Iran settle. we gotta avoid ww3

Ok

It is so clear even from the on-set that trump just wanted to save his impeachment saga and divert the attention of the world to other things. Why won't you want shiite Muslim to practice their religion. Americans should vote trump out he is a menace to the society with his attitude of hate on Blacks, Muslims and immigrant. Threaten a nation of destroying their historical sites isn't that terrorism? boasting of arms and weapons you build and you don't want others to acquire same weapons cos u afraid of it been abusive. No regards for the sovereignty of a nation. Obama ordered osama bin laden been caught alive or dead why can't trump do the same then if there is a struggle you take him out why outright killing. Saudi Arabian is a problem to the world same thing they are doing in Yemen Syria and Nigeria (El-zaky)

Though, these can't lead to any world war, but the truth should be said. Why would U.S just invade someone else's country and kill someone, because he was tagged terrorist. If that's the case, why can't U.S. just help us kill Nnamdi Kanu, because Nigerian government tagged him and his group terrorists. Hundreds of thousand of Iranian and Iraqi came out to mourn his death. Nnamdi Kanu would also be mourn by the Igbos, if killed. There is different between a "tagged terrorist" and a "terrorists proper", Souleiman was loved by his people, and they are not happy with U.S being on their land, U.S should take her soldiers away from Iraq and Iran and should let go their oil. This is more of politics than war, just like in the case of Nigeria.

The prime minister also disclosed that Donald Trump had called him to ask him to mediate following the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad.

SAY NO TO TERRORISTS.

SAY NO TO TERRORISM.

Let's make love, not war!

Peace is all we want in the WORLD.

NL season of SOLEIMANI Vs TRUMP
IRAQ/IRAN Vs USA

Gone are the days of TACHA and CO.

Understandeth what thou readeth?

Me: HELL NO!!!

Well Nairalander's world war 3 analysts will soon come, read and explain to us shaa

enough of this iran news.

Story story! This war should begin my profits are going up already.

Killing that Iranian general has created a lot of headache for Trump, non of his allies is openly standing by him. It was simply a stupid decision that was done without consulting US Generals and those in Congress with military background, Trump dodged the draft to Vietnam war by claiming he was suffering from bone spurs, buts it's easy to send other people's children to war for the benefit of the military industrial complex.

Russia is now offering Iraq S-400 missile defence which can shoot down US aircrafts and missiles and the reality is that those air defence systems will go to Iran through Iraq by proxy without Russia angering US.

Putin has been silent about this crisis as the master strategist that he is, Putin celebrated orthodox Christmas in Damascus yesterday and donated an antique Koran from Russia to the Ummayad Mosque in Syria and painting of the blessed Virgin Man to the Patriarch of Antioch the earliest Christian church.

While I admire Trump for what he has achieved for the US economy, this time he is reducing himself to a local bully in the eyes of the world.
The guy he murdered was a Govt official of a legitimate UN recognised Govt and he violated Iraqi sovereignty in the act with a flimsy excuse of intention to kill Americans. It implies that anyone can wake up and murder another person just by thinking that the person plans in his heart to kill him/her.

Right now, US is in a fix whether to retaliate against Iran for the attacks on US airbases, if they do, Iran has threatened it will bomb Dubai, UAE and Haifa Israel where US has bases and these countries could drawn into a wider war

op is a jihadist

Righteousness89:
The Fact of the Matter is That the Sanctions on Iran by the USA crippled Iran and its officials..

Iranian igc are known to fight through their proxies ..

Iran is a nation with Some great citizens but Extremists jihadist leaders.. Their Hatred for Isreal is out of this World...

Jerusalem ( The city of David) is the Target.. but it's in vain..

Most of the Fights you see in the Middle East is what I Term " The Hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob"

Hezebollah
PMF
Hamas
Yemenis fighters
Are all proxies of iran..

The Blowing up of Saudi Aramco was purely the Iran Igc..

The Killing of the American contractor in Iraq was purely the Iran igc

The Destruction of the USA embassy in Iraq by The PMF was the Hand of Iran..

General Suleiman was with Vice Commander of PMF when they were targeted !

Iran Greatest Enemies is Isreal...

The sight of Isreal runs their leaders mad..

Their Issue with American is because of the US support for Isreal

All these IPOB analysts are here again.
Go and sit down guy

The truth of the matter remains that, they have been planning to kill him for a long time (for reasons only them know) and opportunity presented itself. that is why most big players are not condemning the attack, they have all agreed he has to go, but when and where was what no one knew.

Joi

United snake of america .cc zoohariel

Righteousness89:
The Fact of the Matter is That the Sanctions on Iran by the USA crippled Iran and its officials..

Iranian igc are known to fight through their proxies ..

Iran is a nation with Some great citizens but Extremists jihadist leaders.. Their Hatred for Isreal is out of this World...

Jerusalem ( The city of David) is the Target.. but it's in vain..

Most of the Fights you see in the Middle East is what I Term " The Hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob"

Hezebollah
PMF
Hamas
Yemenis fighters
Are all proxies of iran..

The Blowing up of Saudi Aramco was purely the Iran Igc..

The Killing of the American contractor in Iraq was purely the Iran igc

The Destruction of the USA embassy in Iraq by The PMF was the Hand of Iran..

General Suleiman was with Vice Commander of PMF when they were targeted !

Iran Greatest Enemies is Isreal...

The sight of Isreal runs their leaders mad..

Their Issue with American is because of the US support for Isreal

Do you even know why the us really killed that guy?

Why’s everyone referencing Isreal?

I have to say trump goofed by killing that guy, that was a big mistake why takeout someone when u don't have substantial proof against him. Another thing is that I don't think USA will back down after the missiles Iran fired, they are so stubborn that they will want to prove they are boss and Iran is ready to fight till the last, they don't care who they are fucking up against