President Donald Trump says that Iran, or its proxies, is planning a “sneak attack on U.S. troops.”
In a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, Trump warned Iran against such an attack.
“Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq. If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!”
Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq. If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2020
According to Fox News, intelligence officials believe that Iranian proxies were plotting an attack. Additionally, they said Trump’s tweet was an attempt to signal Iranian leaders to pressure their proxies to back off of an attack.
The tweet comes months after tension between the U.S. and Iran ratcheted up severely after Iranian proxies launched an attack on an Iraqi military base where U.S. soldiers were stationed.
In response, the U.S. carried out an airstrike on the militia behind the attack. That led to a tit-for-tat, which led militia members to storm the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.
That led to the U.S. carrying out an airstrike that killed Iran’s top general Qasem Soleimani.
Check out some of the reactions to Trump’s tweet:
Iran has resumed its nuclear program, expanded its provocations, and the US has alienated the Iranian public for generations with its COVID-19 sanctions enforcement. Trump's "belief" in his Iran policy has been a disaster in every way. https://t.co/V8Z1eYzNvr
— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1245423512497426433
However, not everyone voiced opposition to his warning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he supports Trump’s warning to Iran:
Completely support President @realDonaldTrump's warning Iran to not attack American forces in Iraq through their Shiite militia proxies.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 1, 2020
If Iranians push attacks against US forces, the US should – as President Trump noted – respond in kind. https://t.co/FsSuaV5Zcb
Trump’s tweet renewed calls for Congress to pass new legislation aimed at limiting his military authority in regards to Iran.
