Trump says Iranian commander was killed to 'stop a war'

[Auburn85 432]

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/476700-trump-says-iranian-commander-was-killed-to-stop-a-war

 

 

Quote

 

Donald Trump on Friday defended his order to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, saying he authorized the strike in Iraq “to stop a war” and that the top Iranian commander should have been targeted and killed “long ago.”

“What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago. A lot of lives would have been saved,” Trump said in a brief address from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. “We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.”

“Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him,” the president added, describing the action as a “flawless, precision strike.”

Trump’s statement, which lasted a few minutes and concluded without him taking questions, represented his first public remarks on the strike late Thursday. The address appeared to have been quickly scheduled, as it was not previously announced by the White House.

The Pentagon confirmed Thursday night that Trump ordered a strike against Soleimani, who commanded Iran’s Quds Force, describing it as a defensive operation meant to deter future Iranian attacks that the top general was actively planning.

Officials say Soleimani has been responsible for the death of hundreds of U.S. troops in the Middle East over the years.

Trump emphasized Friday that his administration does not “seek regime change” in Iran but he called on Tehran to stop its destabilizing activity in the region, including its use of proxies across the Middle East.

“I have deep respect for the Iranian people. They are a remarkable people with an incredible heritage and unlimited potential. We do not seek regime change; however the Iranian regime’s aggression in the region, including the use of proxy fighters to destabilize its neighbors, must end and it must end now."

Trump also appeared to threaten further action if Iran targets Americans around the globe in retaliation for the strike on Soleimani.

“The United States has the best military, by far, anywhere in the world. We have the best intelligence in the world,” Trump said. “If Americans anywhere are threatened, we have all of those targets already fully identified and I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary.”

“That in particular refers to Iran,” the president added.

Trump’s decision to authorize the strike represents a major escalation in the administration’s confrontation with Tehran and it has triggered concerns from critics about destabilizing consequences.

Democrats have accused Trump of not seeking proper approval from Congress for the strike, while Republicans have largely rallied around the move.

Iran swiftly vowed a harsh response for the killing of the top military leader, though it remains unclear what shape such an action will take or when it will occur.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier Friday that there was an “imminent threat to American lives” without providing specific details, saying the strike saved U.S. personnel. Pompeo has also held numerous calls with foreign counterparts to brief them on the strike, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to de-escalation, according to the State Department.

Trump spoke to reporters Friday afternoon before departing for a campaign event with evangelical supporters in Miami.

 

 

[AUFAN78 3,894]

Let's hope that is accurate.

[alexava 6,973]

On the positive.... Trump is praising the intelligence community. A sharp contrast to the past three years. 

[TexasTiger 12,831]

Trump was responding to tweet.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

3 hours ago, alexava said:

On the positive.... Trump is praising the intelligence community. A sharp contrast to the past three years. 

Which begs the question: why should he have believed the intelligence community now and not during previous years?  What changed?

[alexava 6,973]

18 minutes ago, Brad_ATX said:

Which begs the question: why should he have believed the intelligence community now and not during previous years?  What changed?

Hell. Weeks ago he was dogging them. He is only happy when you comply with his actions and intentions. He steers and bullies people including the IAs. I am reluctant to criticize the strike because my knowledge of the situation is very limited. However I cannot imagine him to be honest about anything. Especially when he is praising the agencies he has consistently slandered for 3 years. It certainly could be a try to draw attention away from the impeachment and mounting evidence. But them Iranians can be bad dudes,  actually always have been bad. Was the strike necessary? I don’t know. I don’t think we sent any messages that will prevent anything from happening. 

[homersapien 11,366]

Trump exited the Iran nuclear treaty because it was an Obama initiative.

He assassinated Soleimani to draw a contrast between himself, Clinton, and the Benghazi attack. 

Personal, ego-driven impulses are behind Trump's actions.  There is no long term strategy or vision in play. No appreciation of history.

Iran will now abandon the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" and re-start their nuclear weapons program.  At some point in the future, Israel will intercede to stop it and the result will likely be a major war which will probably involve us.

Abandoning the Iran nuclear deal, and initiating a policy of "maximum pressure" has put us on a path to an inevitable military conflict with Iran.  We have boxed ourselves in.

 

 

 

[AU64 10,122]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-soleimani-insight/inside-the-plot-by-irans-soleimani-to-attack-u-s-forces-in-iraq-idUSKBN1Z301Z

 

Seems that some folks were listening in on the planning sessions.....

3 hours ago, Brad_ATX said:

Which begs the question: why should he have believed the intelligence community now and not during previous years?  What changed?

Been cleaning the swamp and getting rid of untrustworthy people who leak to the media....and spread fake news....

[TitanTiger 20,472]

There may be good reasons to have taken this guy out.  Certainly doesn't look like the world will be worse off without him in it.  But don't gaslight everyone.  We had our reasons for killing him, but it's not to "stop a war."  Give me a break.

 

[TitanTiger 20,472]

7 minutes ago, AU64 said:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-soleimani-insight/inside-the-plot-by-irans-soleimani-to-attack-u-s-forces-in-iraq-idUSKBN1Z301Z

 

Seems that some folks were listening in on the planning sessions.....

Been cleaning the swamp and getting rid of untrustworthy people who leak to the media....and spread fake news....

He is the swamp.

[I_M4_AU 7,801]

2 hours ago, homersapien said:

He assassinated Soleimani to draw a contrast between himself, Clinton, and the Benghazi attack.

Trump sent 100 troops and 12 helicopters in within an hour to draw a contrast between himself and Clinton’s Benghazi debacle. Soleimani was not assaainated, he was a terrorist and was taken out on foreign soil (Iraq).

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

35 minutes ago, AU64 said:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-soleimani-insight/inside-the-plot-by-irans-soleimani-to-attack-u-s-forces-in-iraq-idUSKBN1Z301Z

 

Seems that some folks were listening in on the planning sessions.....

Been cleaning the swamp and getting rid of untrustworthy people who leak to the media....and spread fake news....

Sorry, but this is horse crap.  He literally crapped on our intelligence community in the last few months.  Nothing changes that quickly in government, especially when it comes to information gathering of foreign countries.

He's praising them because it now suits his interests.  Pure and simple.  But a reasonable person has to ask: why should we trust what you say about our intelligence community Mr President when your stance has apparently made a complete 180 so quickly?  

[Auburn85 432]

4 hours ago, homersapien said:

 

Abandoning the Iran nuclear deal, and initiating a policy of "maximum pressure" has put us on a path to an inevitable military conflict with Iran.  We have boxed ourselves in.

 

 

 

US military bases around Iran

[AU64 10,122]

1 hour ago, Auburn85 said:

US military bases around Iran

General George Custer:  " Men we are surrounded...now we have them right where we want them...  "

Actually I was thinking of some of Baghdad Bob's famous quotes but this is good enough for now.  

[jj3jordan 2,051]

21 hours ago, Brad_ATX said:

Which begs the question: why should he have believed the intelligence community now and not during previous years?  What changed?

Uh...Clapper, Brennan.

[jj3jordan 2,051]

20 hours ago, homersapien said:

Trump exited the Iran nuclear treaty because it was an Obama initiative.

He assassinated Soleimani to draw a contrast between himself, Clinton, and the Benghazi attack. 

Personal, ego-driven impulses are behind Trump's actions.  There is no long term strategy or vision in play. No appreciation of history.

Iran will now abandon the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" and re-start their nuclear weapons program.  At some point in the future, Israel will intercede to stop it and the result will likely be a major war which will probably involve us.

Abandoning the Iran nuclear deal, and initiating a policy of "maximum pressure" has put us on a path to an inevitable military conflict with Iran.  We have boxed ourselves in.

 

 

 

Nope. It was a bad deal. Regardless of who negotiated it.

Homer the mind reader.

And a shrink no less.

They never stopped. If we were still in the deal, and Israel did attack, we would have had to defend Iran, against Israel.

Glad you are not involved in the analysis.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

1 hour ago, jj3jordan said:

Uh...Clapper, Brennan.

Uh, still doesn't make sense.  Read the other post I made here.  The whole of the intelligence community doesn't turn over that quickly.  You don't get to dog them for 3+ years (including very recently) and then all of a sudden praise their work when it suits what you want.

[TexasTiger 12,831]

35 minutes ago, Brad_ATX said:

Uh, still doesn't make sense.  Read the other post I made here.  The whole of the intelligence community doesn't turn over that quickly.  You don't get to dog them for 3+ years (including very recently) and then all of a sudden praise their work when it suits what you want.

Yeah, that would be...uh, crazy.

[Grumps 3,704]

20 hours ago, Brad_ATX said:

Sorry, but this is horse crap.  He literally crapped on our intelligence community in the last few months.  Nothing changes that quickly in government, especially when it comes to information gathering of foreign countries.

He's praising them because it now suits his interests.  Pure and simple.  But a reasonable person has to ask: why should we trust what you say about our intelligence community Mr President when your stance has apparently made a complete 180 so quickly?  

literally???????????

[TexasTiger 12,831]

21 hours ago, I_M4_AU said:

Trump sent 100 troops and 12 helicopters in within an hour to draw a contrast between himself and Clinton’s Benghazi debacle. Soleimani was not assaainated, he was a terrorist and was taken out on foreign soil (Iraq).

He was an assassinated state official terrorist. He acts in an official capacity. If we decide to declare war over state actions, we can. But it was a targeted assassination.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

59 minutes ago, Grumps said:

literally???????????

Yeah....heard he's into that weird stuff 😉

[I_M4_AU 7,801]

2 hours ago, TexasTiger said:

He was an assassinated state official terrorist. He acts in an official capacity. If we decide to declare war over state actions, we can. But it was a targeted assassination.

That would be an Iranian talking point.  Here’s another, they put an $80 million price on Trump’s head.

 

 

01/20/2020 21:19

• Views 1327
• Section: File and Analysis
• 
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Iran awards $ 80 million reward "to the head of the blond mad man"

 

 

Baghdad / Obelisk: Iranian state television announced that it has awarded a reward of 80 million dollars to "who heads the US President Donald Trump."

The Iranian decision comes in response to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Iraq, on January 3, 2020, with a US air raid.

"The population of Iran is 80 million, and based on the Iranian population, we want to campaign to raise 80 million US dollars, which will reward those who come with the head of US President Trump," said a presenter on Iranian television.

"This financial reward will be offered to the person who brings us to the head of those who have issued orders to kill General Soleimani, who is the crazy American president with blond hair," state television continued.

Iranian television indicated that the call to kill Trump is open to all people in the world who want to get the financial reward offered by the Iranian people, he said.

The Pentagon announced that it carried out a strike near Baghdad airport in Iraq, in which the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Major General Qasim Soleimani, was killed. For its part, Tehran announced that it would respond harshly to the assassination, which also affected the deputy head of the PMF, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

This process received widespread condemnation from Arab countries and organizations, Russia and Iran, which warned of the extreme seriousness of such operations and their consequences.

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/185482/إيران-ترصد-مكافأة-80-مليون-دولار-لمن-يأتي-برأس-المجنون-الأشقر

 

 

[AUFAN78 3,894]

On 1/4/2020 at 11:52 AM, Brad_ATX said:

Which begs the question: why should he have believed the intelligence community now and not during previous years?  What changed?

Didn't the IG report answer these questions for you? 

[TexasTiger 12,831]

1 hour ago, I_M4_AU said:

That would be an Iranian talking point.  Here’s another, they put an $80 million price on Trump’s head.

 

 

01/20/2020 21:19

• Views 1327
• Section: File and Analysis
• 
• 
•  
•  

Iran awards $ 80 million reward "to the head of the blond mad man"

 

 

Baghdad / Obelisk: Iranian state television announced that it has awarded a reward of 80 million dollars to "who heads the US President Donald Trump."

The Iranian decision comes in response to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Iraq, on January 3, 2020, with a US air raid.

"The population of Iran is 80 million, and based on the Iranian population, we want to campaign to raise 80 million US dollars, which will reward those who come with the head of US President Trump," said a presenter on Iranian television.

"This financial reward will be offered to the person who brings us to the head of those who have issued orders to kill General Soleimani, who is the crazy American president with blond hair," state television continued.

Iranian television indicated that the call to kill Trump is open to all people in the world who want to get the financial reward offered by the Iranian people, he said.

The Pentagon announced that it carried out a strike near Baghdad airport in Iraq, in which the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Major General Qasim Soleimani, was killed. For its part, Tehran announced that it would respond harshly to the assassination, which also affected the deputy head of the PMF, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

This process received widespread condemnation from Arab countries and organizations, Russia and Iran, which warned of the extreme seriousness of such operations and their consequences.

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/185482/إيران-ترصد-مكافأة-80-مليون-دولار-لمن-يأتي-برأس-المجنون-الأشقر

 

 

Assassination is assassination. Not sure why you’re uncomfortable with that.

[SaltyTiger 7,790]

53 minutes ago, TexasTiger said:

Assassination is assassination. Not sure why you’re uncomfortable with that.

Call it what you want I suppose. Do you have problems with him being taken out Tex?