America's Military And Intelligence Agencies Knew About Iranian Bounties On American Troops For Years

A US Army soldier and a military working dog in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann

Business Insider: 'Bring us American heads': Iran flaunted bounties on US troops in propaganda leaflets

* The US's military and intelligence agencies knew about Iranian bounties on American troops for years.

* Iranian-linked forces flaunted the payments through leaflets distributed throughout Afghanistan, a former senior US official with direct knowledge of this propaganda told Insider.

* "They weren't hiding it: 'If you bring us American heads, we will pay you,'" the official told Insider.

* The official said that these payment offers were known during the Obama administration and that US officials had been "sitting on this for years." The Trump administration apparently did not act on reports about attacks linked to the payments in 2019 during its peace negotiations with the Taliban.

The US's military and intelligence agencies knew about Iranian bounties on American lives for years, as Iranian-linked forces flaunted them through leaflets scattered throughout Afghanistan, a military source with direct knowledge of the matter told Insider.

Propaganda leaflets, similar to the ones the US distributed throughout Syria and Iraq, were distributed to Afghans by Iranian-linked forces who were "ramping up efforts and started to escalate into violence" amid President Barack Obama's troop withdrawal in 2016, the former senior US official told Insider.

Iran has long relied on proxy forces to wage war against enemies like the US, exacting a heavy toll on US troops in Iraq. Iran has been suspected of having ties to the Taliban-affiliated guerilla group the Haqqani network.

The leaflets that were posted in the country said that American and coalition forces' heads were wanted in exchange for cash bounties, and Iran was "claiming responsibility," the former official said.

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WNU Editor: Iran supported militias in Iraq to wage war against the U.S. presence there. So why not Afghanistan. What is inexcusable is that the US government kept this information hidden from the American public for years.

US Intelligence Says Iran Paid The Taliban Bounties For Killing U.S. Soldiers In Afghanistan

The Afghan Taliban have been at way with the Afghan government and their US allies for 19 years. (File/Reuters)

CNN: US intelligence indicates Iran paid bounties to Taliban for targeting American troops in Afghanistan

Washington (CNN)US intelligence agencies assessed that Iran offered bounties to Taliban fighters for targeting American and coalition troops in Afghanistan, identifying payments linked to at least six attacks carried out by the militant group just last year alone, including a suicide bombing at a US air base in December, CNN has learned.

"Bounties" were paid by a foreign government, identified to CNN as Iran, to the Haqqani network -- a terrorist group that is led by the second highest ranking leader of the Taliban -- for their attack on Bagram Air Base on December 11, which killed two civilians and injured more than 70 others, including four US personnel, according to a Pentagon briefing document reviewed by CNN.

The name of the foreign government that made these payments remains classified but two sources familiar with the intelligence confirmed to CNN that it refers to Iran.

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More News On US Intelligence Saying Iran Paid The Taliban Bounties For Killing U.S. Soldiers In Afghanistan

Iran paid bounties for targeting US troops, intelligence reportedly suggests -- The Hill
Iran reportedly paid bounties to Afghan group for attacks on Americans -- The Guardian
Iran reportedly paid bounties to the Taliban to target US troops in Afghanistan -- Business Insider
Iran 'paid Taliban bounties' to attack US troops in Afghanistan -- The National
Intelligence report says Iran paid Taliban to attack US troops in Afghanistan -- Arab News
Iran Paid Bounties to Taliban-Linked Terrorist Group after Attack on U.S. Base in Afghanistan: Report -- National Review
Bountygate 2.0: US Intelligence Claims Iran Paid Taliban to Kill American Troops in Afghanistan -- Sputnik

Russian President Putin Sees The U.S. & Iran Headed Toward War

Zero Hedge: Putin Sees US & Iran Headed Toward War - Proposes Urgent World Summit To Stop It

Russia thinks war between the US and Iran is on the horizon, and is proposing steps to stop it:

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday proposed a video summit with the United States, Britain, France, China, Germany and Iran in a bid to avoid “confrontation and escalation” at the United Nations, where Washington is trying to extend an arms embargo on Tehran, reports Reuters.

But it's hard to know what could be done at this point. Not only did the Trump administration void the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), but long-standing hawks like Pompeo have sought to ramp up sanctions at every turn.

The situation has been stalemated, with Tehran demanding easing of sanctions or erasure altogether as a condition for fresh talks, but with the White House alternately saying Iran has to first abandon all development related to nuclear power (which the US says is actually for nuclear weapons) and its ballistic missile program.

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WNU Editor: Collapse of oil markets. Sanctions. Even having your own oil tankers seize by the U.S. .... In Recent Days U.S. Has Seized Four Oil Tankers Loaded With Iranian Fuel In Violation Of Sanctions (August 13, 2020). The economic and political situation in Iran is not stable, and the U.S. is exploiting it to the full. So is Russian President Putin correct when he says that the U.S. and Iran are headed for war? Maybe in the future. But definitely not now. And definitely not before the US Presidential election where such an action by Iran would guarantee a Trump re-election.

Two US F-15s Approach Iranian Passenger Plane In Syrian Airspace

Several passengers injured after fighter jet flies close to #Iranian airliner over #Damascus pic.twitter.com/78xXNwyaLz

— Press TV (@PressTV) July 23, 2020

A purportedly Israeli jet fighter that flew close to an Iranian airliner over Damascus, Syria, on July 23, 2020. Sputnik Screenshot/IRIB News

Reuters/Al Gemeiner: Two US Fighter Jets Approach Iranian Passenger Plane in Syrian Airspace

Two US fighter jets came close to an Iranian passenger plane over Syrian airspace, causing the pilot to change altitude quickly to avoid collision and injuring several passengers, the official IRIB news agency reported on Thursday.

The incident is likely to ramp up tensions between longtime foes Iran and the United States.

The agency initially said a single Israeli jet had come near the plane but later quoted the pilot as saying there were two jets that identified themselves as American.

The pilot of the passenger plane contacted the jet pilots to warn them to keep a safe distance and they identified themselves as American, IRIB reported.

Video posted by the agency showed a single jet from the window of the plane and comments from a passenger who had blood on his face.

The Iranian plane, belonging to Mahan Air, was heading from Tehran to Beirut and landed safely in Beirut, an airport source told Reuters.

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More News On Two US F-15s Approaching An Iranian Passenger Plane In Syrian Airspace

US fighter jet challenges Iran passenger plane - Iran media -- BBC
U.S. Says Its F-15s Intercepted Iranian Airliner That Made Erratic Maneuvers (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive
Iranian passenger plane forced to change course as US fighter jets approached – report -- The Guardian/Reuters
Iran Says Passenger Plane Intercept by Warplanes Over Syria 'Under Investigation' -- Newsweek
Passengers injured as US fighter jet comes close to Iranian plane -- Al Jazeera
US confirms fighter jet flew close to Iranian jetliner above Syria -- ABC News
US confirms fighter jet flew close to Iranian passenger plane for inspection -- CNN

Iran Is Trying To Rebuild The U.S. Navy’s RQ-4A Global Hawk That It Shot Down Last Year

The RQ-4A has largely been reconstructed in Iran. The kill marking painted on the door of a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system involved (bottom left) more closely resembles a U-2 spy plane however. Images from US Navy and Iranian State Media

Forbes: Shot Down U.S. Navy Global Hawk Reconstructed By Iran

Information about the U.S. Navy’s RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle shot down by Iran on June 20, 2019, continues to surface a year on. The carcass of the aircraft has been largely pieced together by Iran, in the manner of an air accident investigation. The way it was done, and the reasons, are likely to be very different, however.

The drone was reportedly shot down by an IRGC “3rd Khordad” missile. A 3rd Khordad missile launcher has been paraded by the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) to celebrate the downing of the spy drone. The ‘kill marking’ painted on the door of the vehicle closely resembles the piloted U-2 spy plane instead of a Global Hawk, however.

The 3rd Khordad has a reported maximum range up to 65 miles and can hit targets flying at high altitudes. So the Global Hawk spy drone is a natural prey for a system like this.

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WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that Russian and Chinese intelligence agencies have already taken a look at this downed U.S. Navy Global Hawk.

Is The U.S. And Israel Waging A Series Of Short-Of-War Clandestine Strikes Against Iran?

A satellite image of the destruction at Natanz, as seen on July 4.Credit...via Institute for Science and International Security

New York Times: Long-Planned and Bigger Than Thought: Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Program

Some officials say that a joint American-Israeli strategy is evolving — some might argue regressing — to a series of short-of-war clandestine strikes.

As Iran’s center for advanced nuclear centrifuges lies in charred ruins after an explosion, apparently engineered by Israel, the long-simmering conflict between the United States and Tehran appears to be escalating into a potentially dangerous phase likely to play out during the American presidential election campaign.

New satellite photographs over the stricken facility at Natanz show far more extensive damage than was clear last week. Two intelligence officials, updated with the damage assessment for the Natanz site recently compiled by the United States and Israel, said it could take the Iranians up to two years to return their nuclear program to the place it was just before the explosion. An authoritative public study estimates it will be a year or more until Iran’s centrifuge production capacity recovers.

Another major explosion hit the country early Friday morning, lighting up the sky in a wealthy area of Tehran. It was still unexplained — but appeared to come from the direction of a missile base. If it proves to have been another attack, it will further shake the Iranians by demonstrating, yet again, that even their best-guarded nuclear and missile facilities have been infiltrated.

Although Iran has said little of substance about the explosions, Western officials anticipate some type of retaliation, perhaps against American or allied forces in Iraq, perhaps a renewal of cyberattacks. In the past, those have been directed against American financial institutions, a major Las Vegas casino and a dam in the New York suburbs or, more recently, the water supply system in Israel, which its government considers “critical infrastructure.”

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WNU Editor: The New York Times is convinced that the U.S. and Israel are waging a series of clandestine strikes against Iran. I am not sure about that, but someone is definitely dedicating a lot of time to cause damage to critical Iranian structures and programs.

CENTCOM Commander Says Killing of Soleimani Has Deterred Iran

CENTCOM Gen. Kenneth McKenzie

(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

VOA: US General: Killing of Soleimani Has Deterred Iran

WASHINGTON - The January killing of powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq has resulted in a new reality in which Iran is deterred from attacking American assets and those of its allies in the Middle East, said the top U.S. commander in the region.

“I think [killing Soleimani] has had a significant effect in establishing and reestablishing a rough form of deterrence in the theater,” said General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday during a webinar at the Middle East Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

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Update #1: Iran Has Backed Off of Challenging US Since Soleimani Killing, General Says -- Military.com
Update #2: 10 takeaways from US CENTCOM’s McKenzie discussing the Middle East -- Jerusalem Post

WNU Editor: I do not think the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani has deterred Iran. I think it is other factors like the pandemic, sanctions, and a depressed economy that are influencing Iran's foreign policy. Case in point. They are now having trouble paying off the their militias in Iraq .... Cash-strapped Iran struggles to maintain sway over Iraq militias (Al Jazeera).

Iran Builds Fake U.S. Aircraft Carrier To Attack

The replica vessel resembles the Nimitz-class carriers that the US Navy routinely sails into the Persian Gulf. The vessel appears to be some 650ft long and 160ft wide, smaller than a real Nimitz which is 980ft and 245ft wide

Daily Mail: Iran builds fake aircraft carrier that closely resembles US navy vessels for use in live military drills as tensions remain high with America

* Satellite images show the fake aircraft carrier in the port city of Bandar Abbas
* It resembles the Nimitz-class carriers that are routinely sailed by the US Navy
* Its appearance suggests the Revolutionary Guard plans to use it in live drills

Iran has built a fake aircraft carrier that closely resembles US navy vessels for use in live drills, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

The fake carrier, seen in a series of satellite photographs, is similar in appearance to the Nimitz-class carriers routinely sailed by the US Navy.

The replica holds 16 mock-ups of fighter jets on its deck, satellite photos taken by Maxar Technologies revealed.

While not yet acknowledged by Iranian officials, its appearance in the port city of Bandar Abbas suggests Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is preparing a repeat of a similar mock-sinking in 2015.

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Update: Amid US tension, Iran builds fake aircraft carrier to attack (AP)

WNU Editor: I guess we will have a repeat from what happened a few years back (see video below).

Iran Warns U.S. To Watch Out For New Missile-Launching Speed Boats 'Beside You' In The Gulf

TEHRAN, May 28 (MNA) – The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have received more than 100 missile-launching speed boats in the southern waters.

Bloomberg: Iran Warns U.S. on Naval Activity in the Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled scores of new and upgraded defensive speedboats with a warning to the U.S. that it won’t shy away from challenging American naval power.

“Today we announce that wherever the Americans are, we’re right there beside you, and in the near future you will sense us even more,” IRGC Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said on the sidelines of a ceremony in the Persian Gulf, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Thursday.

While battling sanctions and a major coronavirus outbreak, Iran appears determined to keep striking a defiant tone as tensions with the U.S. simmer. A month ago, President Donald Trump ordered the navy to destroy any Iranian vessels harassing U.S. ships, after accusations that the IRGC’s craft dangerously approached American military vessels in what U.S. Central Command said were international waters.

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Update: Over 100 domestically-built speed boats join Iran’s IRGC fleet (MEHR News Agency)

WNU Editor: Iran is saying that these new Speed-boats will add to the security of the region .... Iran to tighten Persian Gulf security belt: General Hatami (MEHR News Agency).

In A Warning To Iran, U.S. Tells Gulf Mariners To Stay Clear Of Its Warships

Four Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels, some of several to maneuver in what the U.S. Navy says are "unsafe and unprofessional actions against U.S. Military ships by crossing the ships’ bows and sterns at close range" is seen next to the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton in the Gulf April 15, 2020. U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTER

Reuters: Exclusive: In veiled warning to Iran, U.S. tells Gulf mariners to stay clear of its warships

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In an alert that appeared aimed squarely at Iran, the U.S. Navy issued a warning on Tuesday to mariners in the Gulf to stay 100 meters (yards) away from U.S. warships or risk being “interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures.”

The notice to mariners, which was first reported by Reuters, follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat last month to fire on any Iranian ships that harass Navy vessels.

"Armed vessels approaching within 100 meters of a U.S. naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat," according to the text of the notice, which can be seen here here/SFH00000/DailyMemPAC.txt.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the new notice to mariners was not a change in the U.S. military’s rules of engagement.

The Pentagon has stated that Trump’s threat was meant to underscore the Navy’s right to self-defense.

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More News On The U.S. Telling Gulf Mariners To Stay Clear Of Its Warships

US Navy issues new distance guidelines for vessels after close encounters with Iranian ships -- Navy Times/AP
US Navy warns vessels in the Middle East to stay away from its warships or risk being seen as a 'threat' -- Business Insider
U.S. Navy issues warning to Iranians not to come within 100 meters of its warships or be fired upon a month after Trump made threat 'to shoot down and destroy' their gunboats -- Daily Mail
U.S. Navy Warns Iran Of 'Defensive Measures' If Gunships Get Too Close -- RFE
U.S. Navy warns mariners to stay clear of its warships in the Persian Gulf -- CNBC
Eying Iran, US warns to stay 100 metres away from its warships -- Al Jazeera

Iran Supreme Leader Says American Troops Will Be Expelled From Iraq And Syria

TEHRAN, May 17 (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that American occupiers cannot continue presence in Iraq and Syria.

Daily Mail: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei says US troops will be expelled from Iraq and Syria because 'even allies abhor the American leaders'

* Americans will be expelled from Iraq and Syria, Iran's leader said on Sunday
* Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed Iran's demand for U.S. troops to be withdrawn from the Middle East
* Iran almost got into a full-blown conflict with the United States when a U.S. drone strike killed top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in January
* Khamenei said Americans' actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria had led to them being hated during a speech to students
* President Donald Trump said he had instructed the U.S. Navy to fire on any Iranian ships that harass them at sea
* In response, the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said Iran would destroy U.S. warships if its security was threatened in the Gulf

Iran's supreme leader said Sunday that the United States will be expelled from Iraq and Syria and alleged that even Washington's allies 'abhor' it now.

The US 'will not be staying either in Iraq or Syria and must withdraw and will certainly be expelled', said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to his official website.

Both the US and Iran have weighed into Syria's conflict -- Tehran backing the Damascus regime, while Washington supported the Kurds against the Islamic State group -- and both have been major geopolitical players in Iraq since the toppling of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

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WNU Editor: He sounds very sure of himself.

More News On Iran's Supreme Leader Saying American Troops Will Be Expelled From Iraq And Syria

Americans to be ousted from Iraq, Syria: Leader of Islamic Revolution -- MEHR News Agency
Iran Supreme Leader says Americans will be expelled from Iraq and Syria -- Reuters
Iran's Khamenei says US will be expelled from Iraq, Syria -- AFP

U.S. Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs of Staff Calls Iran’s Recent Military Satellite Launch A ‘Security Concern’

A first military satellite named Noor is launched into orbit by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, in Semnan, Iran April 22, 2020. WANA, Sepah News via Reuters

CNBC: Pentagon calls Iran’s recent military satellite launch a ‘security concern’ amid deteriorating relations

* The nation’s top military officer said Tuesday that Iran’s recent military satellite launch, the first for the rogue regime, is a concerning feat.
* Iran said last month that it successfully launched a military satellite, another move in the heightened tit-for-tat fight between Washington and Tehran over the regime’s missile programs.
* U.S. officials have long feared that Iran’s pursuit of developing satellite technology is a cover for ballistic missile activity.
* Tehran, meanwhile, has denied those assertions and has said that Iran is not working toward a nuclear weapons program.

WASHINGTON — The nation’s top military officer said Tuesday that Iran’s recent military satellite launch, the first for the rogue regime, is a concerning feat.

“Different missiles can do different things, one can carry a satellite and one can carry some sort of device that can explode. So, the bottom line is yes, it is a security concern anytime Iran is testing any type of long-range missile,” explained Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley.

“They launched a satellite vehicle and I think we publicly stated that it was tumbling, so the satellite itself, not overly concerned about it, but the missile technology, the second and third-order missile technology and the lessons learned from that is a concern,” he added.

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon may be concerned about Iran's latest missile launch, but they are not worried about the satellite that was put in orbit .... US 'not overly concerned' about Iran satellite 'tumbling' in space, Joint Chiefs chair says (FOX News).

Iran Should Beware Of President Trump's Threats

In this Wednesday, April 15, 2020, photo made available by the US Navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels sail close to US ships in the Arabian Gulf near Kuwait. All Photos supplied by US Navy

Con Coughlin, The National: Hit by coronavirus, Iran should beware of Donald Trump's threats

The regime in Tehran is in the midst of a major crisis, one where provoking a fresh confrontation with the US is not going to help its chances of survival.

US President Donald Trump’s warning to the Iranian government that he has ordered the US Navy to destroy any of its gunboats caught harassing American warships comes at a time when the regime in Tehran is facing arguably its greatest crisis since the 1979 revolution.

Mr Trump’s threat intensifies the pressure on Iran when it is already struggling to contend with a number of major challenges, from the coronavirus pandemic to the collapse of the economy.

Now the regime finds itself facing the prospect of a fresh military confrontation with the US following Mr Trump’s warning, which came after accusations that Iranian gunboats have been harassing American warships in the Gulf.

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WNU Editor: This is not the time to provoke the United States. In the past Iran may have deflected domestic dissent by stirring up tensions abroad. But these are not normal times, and Iran is not in a position to confront anyone directly right now.

Using Air Assets The U.S. Will Be Able To Detect Iranian Missiles And Small Boats From Beyond The Horizon

FOX News/Warrior Maven: US Navy could detect Iranian missiles and small boats from beyond the horizon

While any kind of U.S. first attack or pre-emptive strike on Iranian small boats in the Persian Gulf area seems extremely unlikely if not completely off the table, Navy ships, drones, radar and other kinds of sensor systems are engineered to detect, see and target Iranian threats at safe distances -- to prepare and be ready in case an attack or counter-strike on Iran is needed.

“If we see hostile intent, we have the right to respond up to and including lethal force, and if it happens in the Gulf, if it happens in any way, we will respond with overwhelming lethal force, if necessary, to defend ourselves, and it's really that simple. But nobody should doubt that the commanders have the authority right now to respond to any hostile act or hostile intent,” Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters recently, according to a Pentagon transcript of the discussion.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. Navy will be able to detect Iranian missiles and small boats from beyond the horizon because of U.S. air assets. I am sure the Iranians have figured that out also.

One Possible War Scenario Between The United States And Iran

South Front: What War between the United States and Iran Could Look Like

The US-Iranian standoff in the Persian Gulf has once again entered an acute phase. On April 22, US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the US Navy to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian gunboats that follow or harass US ships. In response, Commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Major General Hossein Salami declared on April 23 that Iran will provide a swift, “decisive” and “effective” response to US forces if they threaten Iranian “vessels or warships”.

One of the reasons behind the escalation is the consistent and strengthening anti-Iranian rhetoric of the White House as a part of Trump’s presidential campaign. Another driving force of the US actions is likely the sharpening global economic crisis and the turmoil on the energy market that has led to the dramatic collapse of oil prices. Indeed, a new conflict in the Persian Gulf could theoretically return the oil prices to $50-60 per barrel.

In the current situation, Iran is not interested in an escalation of the conflict with the United States. The escalation could, however, be instigated by the US military:

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WNU Editor: The above scenario is not going to happen. There is no public or political will in the U.S. to start let alone become involved in a war against Iran.

Iran's Air Commander Claims Its Forces Were Ready to Hit 400 U.S. Targets If The U.S. Retaliated After Iran's January Rocket Attack

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (C) and Iranian military officials inclouding Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of IRGC's Aerospace Force, on May 11, 2014.

Newsweek: Iran Air Commander Claims Forces Were Ready to Hit 400 U.S. Targets If Washington Retaliated After January Rocket Attack

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) air arm has claimed his troops were ready to attack hundreds of additional American targets if January's limited exchange of fire escalated into a wider conflict.

IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh made the comments Friday when talking to reporters about the Corps' successful satellite launch earlier this week, which comes as Washington and Tehran exchange fresh military threats in the Persian Gulf.

Iran and the U.S. appeared close to war in January after President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani.

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Update: Iran Reveals Plan to Strike ‘400 American Targets’ (Washington Free Beacon)

WNU Editor: Not surprised that Iran lined up a few hundred U.S. targets. But I am also sure the U.S. had a number of Iranian targets on its list.

Will The U.S. Navy Sink Iranian Fast Boats In The Gulf?

In this Wednesday, April 15, 2020, photo made available by U.S. Navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels sail close to U.S. military ships in the Persian Gulf near Kuwait. US Navy

Defense One: Will the US Navy Sink Iranian Fast Boats in the Gulf? Maybe, Maybe Not

It may be time to formalize how orders are passed from the White House to the military.

U.S. military officials praised their commander-in-chief for some early-Wednesday tough talk about Iran — but would not say whether it constituted a change in policy or rules of engagement.

Tweeted President Trump a bit after 8 a.m. Washington time: “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.”

As with his past tweets, it was not immediately clear whether this had actually happened or was a lawful order, and reporters asked the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs to clarify at a press conference later in the morning.

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WNU Editor: I would take President Trump's warning seriously.

Iran Promises To Crush U.S. Forces After President Trump Warns The U.S. Navy Will Destroy Iranian Vessels If They Harass U.S. Ships

Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami speaks during a pro-government rally in the capital Tehran's central Enghelab Square on November 25, 2019. AFP - ATTA KENARE

Al Jazeera: Iran promises 'to crush' US forces if ships attacked in Gulf

Revolutionary Guard chief responds after US President Trump threatened to 'destroy' Iranian vessels if harassed.

The leader of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has promised a "crushing response" to any American military attacks in the Gulf after United States President Donald Trump threatened to "shoot down and destroy" Iranian vessels.

Iran officials on Thursday also accused Trump of "bullying" and said he should focus on caring for US service members infected with the coronavirus instead of making threats. Thousands of US service members have contracted the virus, including hundreds on a stricken aircraft carrier, docked in Guam, and at least two have died from COVID-19.

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More News On Iran Promises To Crush U.S. Forces After President Trump Issues A Warning That The U.S. Navy Will Destroy Iranian Vessels If They Harass U.S. Ships

Guards chief: U.S. warships will be destroyed if they threaten Iran in Gulf -- Reuters
Iran hits back after Trump says US will shoot Iranian gunboats 'out of the water' -- SKY News
Iran military chief warns its forces will 'destroy' US warships if threatened in Persian Gulf -- FOX News
Iran Ratchets Up Warnings to U.S. Over Tensions in Persian Gulf -- Bloomberg
Military Chief Warns Iran Will ‘Destroy’ U.S. Ships If threatened in Persian Gulf -- US News and World Report
IRGC Fires Back At Trump: Iran Will "Destroy" US Ships That Come Near -- Zero Hedge
Iran summons Swiss ambassador amid warnings it will destroy US warships -- France 24

President Trump Issues Orders To The U.S. Navy To Destroy Any Iranian Warships That Harass U.S. Ships -- News Roundup

I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2020

CNN: Trump on Twitter tells US Navy to 'shoot down and destroy' Iranian boats that harass US ships

Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that he has instructed the US Navy to "shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats" that harass US ships.

"I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea," Trump wrote.

It's unclear if Trump's tweet amounts to a standing order, and whether Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, would fire upon an Iranian boat. Such an order would further raise the possibility of a miscalculation between the two longtime foes, which nearly went to war earlier this year after the US killed a top Iranian military commander.

Regardless of the practical effect of Trump's tweet, it's the latest provocative threat he has levied against Iran, and it comes amid scrutiny of his handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

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WNU Editor: The reaction has been predictable .... Critics go after Trump for saying US would 'shoot down' aggressive Iranian boats (USA Today). As to what is my take. I am not surprised by this tweet. Tens of thousands of Americans have died in the past few weeks because of this pandemic. Trillions of dollars lost because of the economic shut-down. Now is not the time to test the U.S.. But in the case of Iran I do expect them to test the U.S.. Especially after this threat. But Iran's options to retaliate in the event that their ships do harass US ships and are sunk are limited. They can shut down the Gulf, but with 40 million barrels of oil being produced everyday that has no markets, even completely shutting down the Strait of Hormuz will not impact global prices or supply as long as this pandemic continues.There are U.S. targets in Iraq and there are American allies in the Gulf as well as Israel that Iran can strike. But that opens a Pandoras Box that I do not think Iran wants to open.

More News On President Trump Issuing Orders To The U.S. Navy To Destroy Any Iranian Warships That Harass U.S. Ships

Trump tweets order to destroy harassing Iranian gunboats -- AP
Trump tells Navy to destroy Iranian gunboats if they 'harass' American ships -- Reuters
Trump Says He Told Navy to ‘Shoot Down’ Iranian Boats, as Tehran Launches Military Satellite -- New York Times
Donald Trump orders Navy to 'shoot down and destroy' Iranian gunboats if they harass American ships in the Gulf in escalation of tensions with Tehran -- Daily Mail
Trump says he told Navy to 'destroy' Iranian boats harassing U.S. ships -- Politico
Trump Orders Navy To Destroy Iranian Gunboats That Harass U.S. Ships -- RFE
Trump says US will ‘destroy’ Iranian gunboats that harass American ships -- CNBC
Trump tweets US will destroy Iranian gunboats harassing US ships -- Al Jazeera
Trump says he ordered the US Navy to 'destroy' any Iranian gunboat that harasses American ships at sea -- Business Insider
Trump Orders Navy to Destroy Iranian Boats That Harass Its Ships (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive
Trump 'Instructs' Navy to 'Shoot Down, Destroy' Any Iranian Gunboats if They 'Harass' US Ships -- Sputnik

Iran Issues Warning To U.S. Warships In The Persian Gulf

Two Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels, some of several to maneuver in what the U.S. Navy says are "unsafe and unprofessional actions against U.S. military ships by crossing the ships’ bows and sterns at close range" is seen next to the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton in the Gulf April 15, 2020. /Reuters

Middle East Eye: Iran warns of decisive response to any US 'mistake' in the Gulf

Warning comes after a tense encounter in the Gulf between Iranian vessels and US Navy and Coast Guard ships.

Any mistake by the United States in the Gulf will be met with a firm response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) said in a statement published on the Guard's news site Sepah News.

"We advise the Americans to follow international regulations and maritime protocols in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and to refrain from any adventurism and false and fake stories," Sunday's statement from the IRGCN said.

Last week, the US military said 11 small fast boats of the IRGCN came very close to its Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, near Kuwait, calling the moves "dangerous and provocative".

The Revolutionary Guard acknowledged the incident, saying that the US sparked the tense encounter, without providing additional details.

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More News On Iran Issuing A Warning To U.S. Warships In The Persian Gulf

Warning to U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf -- Tehran Times
Iran warns US Navy over Gulf incident -- BBC
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn US navy after 'provocative' encounter -- ABC News Online
Iran Revolutionary Guards Warn of Decisive Response to Any 'Mistake' by U.S. in Gulf -- Haaretz/Reuters
Iran will give a decisive response to any "mistake" by the U.S. in the Gulf: Revolutionary Guards navy -- CGTN
IRGC Warns Iran Will Respond 'Decisively' to Any US Provocation - Reports -- Sputnik