US rehashes anti-Iran claims, threatens 'preemption'
Iran Press TV
Thursday, 02 January 2020 7:19 PM
Repeating a warmed-over allegation, the US defense secretary claims Iran and, what he describes as, the Islamic Republic's allies may be planning to attack America's "interests" in the region, threatening "preemptive" action.
"There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks, that is nothing new ... we've seen this for two or three months now," Mark Esper told reporters on Thursday.
"If that happens then we will act and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, to protect American lives," he added. "The game has changed and we are prepared to do what is necessary to defend our personnel and our interests and our partners in the region," the US official said.
Washington claims that Iraq's popular counter-terrorism force, known as Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashed al-Sha'abi, receives Iranian support. It also blames a number of sporadic rocket launches across the Arab country, which targeted the Iraqi outposts housing American forces, on Iran and has used the allegation to both attack the fighters and try to implicate Tehran in attempts to endanger American forces.
Most recently, the US conducted multiple airstrikes against a PMU division in the western Iraqi province of Anbar on Sunday, killing nearly people and injuring more than 50 others. The strikes were followed by angry protests outside the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The Islamic Republic has roundly rejected the US allegations and reminded that it is natural for the American interests to come under attack at a time when Iraq is experiencing considerable chaos and uncertainty resulting from around two decades of deadly and devastating US-led military intervention.
Tehran has also warned it would act decisively against any attempt by Washington or its allies to compromise the Iranian nation's interests.
Speaking in a public meeting on Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei strongly condemned the deadly American air raids that targeted the positions of Hashd al-Sha'abi, saying Washington was in fact taking revenge on the popular forces because of the key role they played in defeating the Daesh terror group.
The Leader went on to say, "If Iran decides to confront a country, it will do so openly. But everyone must know that we are strongly committed to the country's interests and the Iranian nation's dignity, grandeur and progress, and we shall not hesitate to intervene and deal a blow to any party who attempts to pose a threat to the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the Iranian nation as being "courageous, vigilant and ready for action on all fronts."
"Contrary to certain propositions that a war would break out, we shall never drive the country in the direction of war. However, if others attempt to impose anything on our country, we shall stand against them with all our might."
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