(2020-01-13). Trump's Escalation Imperils Innocents. counterpunch.org 
While an eerie, surreal calm has fallen over US-Iranian relations, I wouldn't assume we're out of the woods yet. Trump had no reason to be confident that Iran's response to his most recent escalation of violence would be little more than symbolic. Although he's accepted that response more or less passively for now, with Trump, things can turn on a dime. Who can tell what determines his mood at any given time? More
(2020-01-13). Khamenei regime has no authority to rule Iran, says Tudeh Party. peoplesworld.org 
The Iranian people are back in the streets protesting the theocratic regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following the government's stunning about-face on the downing of a Ukrainian airliner in the midst of war tensions with the United States last week. Tear gas and live ammunition were fired at demonstrators in Tehran and several cities over …
(2020-01-13). Trump defends killing of Soleimani regardless of 'imminent' threat, says he had a 'horrible past'. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has lashed out against the "fake news media" and their "Democrat partners" over criticism of his administration's decision to assassinate Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. | The president claimed in tweets marred with misspellings that it does not matter if Soleimani presented an imminent threat to the US, something he had said previously to defend the assassination, because of the general's "horrible past." | The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was "imminent" or not, & was my team in agr…
(2020-01-13). 'Stop buying Iranian oil or face sanctions': US in talks with China over Iran. rt.com 
Washington has managed to "cut off probably over 95 percent of the oil revenues" of Iran, according to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. | He told Fox News that US officials are now working on the issue with China, as the country accounts for a significant part of Iran's remaining oil exports. | "I sat down with the Chinese officials. They flew in a delegation to meet with us and the State Department to talk about this. They've cut off all of the state companies from buying oil, and we're working closely with them to make sure that they cease all additional oil activities," Mnuchin said. | Also on rt.com…
(2020-01-13). 'I wish I was inside that plane': Iran's IRGC chief expresses sorrow over downing of Ukrainian jet. rt.com 
The top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, expressed his deepest condolences, saying he had never felt more ashamed in his life than after the Ukrainian passenger jet tragedy. | Debriefing a session of Iran's parliament on Sunday, Salami stated that the IRGC has no other purpose or wish "but to be torn into pieces for the sake of the security, welfare and peace of [the Iranian] people." | I swear on the life of my children… I wish I were inside that plane and fell down and burned along with those loved ones instead of witnessing this tragic incident. | Also…
(2020-01-13). UK summons Iran's ambassador over brief detention of British envoy accused of taking part in 'illegal rally' in Tehran. rt.com 
The Foreign Office has summoned the Iranian ambassador to express its "strong objections" over the brief detention of his UK counterpart in Tehran who was nabbed by law enforcement when he took part in an "illegal rally." | In the ongoing diplomatic spat, London summoned Ambassador Hamid Baeidinejad in an apparent tit-for-tat move. UK envoy Rob Macaire was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday over his "unconventional behavior." | "This was an unacceptable breach of the Vienna Convention and it needs to be investigated," the Foreign Office said on Monday. "We are seeking full assurances from the I…
(2020-01-13). Who Profits when Iran and America Fight? therealnews.com 
We spoke to Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin after Thursday's War Powers resolution vote. Whose interests are driving the narrative around conflict with Iran?
(2020-01-13). "America Exists Today to Make War": Lawrence Wilkerson on Endless War & American Empire. democracynow.org 
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, who served as Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff from 2002 to 2005, says the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran today is a continuation of two decades of U.S. policy disasters in the Middle East, starting with the 2003 run-up to war with Iraq under the Bush administration. "America exists today to make war. How else do we interpret 19 straight years of war and no end in sight? It's part of who we are. It's part of what the American Empire is," says Wilkerson. "We are going to cheat and steal to do whatever it is we have to do to continue th…
(2020-01-13). The Useless War Powers Act. counterpunch.org 
Practically speaking, the Trump administration's extrajudicial assassination of a top Iranian general was probably legal. The rationale is straightforward: Congress has steadily settled on a constitutionally dubious theory of handing the president near-limitless authority over how, when, and why the country goes to war. The 1973 War Powers Resolution, the often-cited check on this extraordinary More
(2020-01-13). Iranian president orders implementation of law blacklisting Pentagon as 'terrorist organization'. rt.com 
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday issued an order to implement a law blacklisting the US Department of Defense as "terrorist organization," Tasnim reports. Rouhani called on the relevant Iranian organizations to implement the law which was passed by Tehran's parliament last Tuesday. | According to the vote, "all members of the Pentagon, the affiliated institutions and companies, and the US commanders who planned and perpetrated [the] assassination" of Qasem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), were blacklisted. | The law has been endorsed by the…
(2020-01-13). Iranian, U.S., British Communists issue joint statement on Mideast war danger. peoplesworld.org 
The following is the text of a statement issued jointly on Jan. 8, 2020, by the Tudeh Party of Iran, the Communist Party USA, and the Communist Party of Britain. It was issued in the wake of the U.S. assassination of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Iraq and the launching of retaliatory missile strikes by …
(2020-01-13). Trump's odd tweet of Pelosi and Schumer in Muslim garb sparks outrage, but defense even more bizarre. rt.com 
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham gave a strange defense of a tweet from President Donald Trump that depicted Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in Muslim clothing and sparked major backlash. | Grisham says Democrats are "taking the side of terrorists" and that was the point Trump was trying to make when he retweeted an image of Pelosi and Schumer photshopped with Muslim garb on in front of an Iranian flag. | Fox News host Harris Faulker confronted Grisham about the tweet on Monday and even read a response that called the photoshopped image a "slur." | "Why the actual hell is the president of the Unite…
(2020-01-13). Military conflict with Iran would impact entire world, Japan's Abe warns. rt.com 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned that military confrontation with Iran will impact global peace and stability. | The comments came at the start of Abe's five-day Gulf tour as he hopes to ease tensions spiked by the US killing of a top Iranian general. The PM called "on all relevant countries to engage in diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions," AFP said. | Tokyo has decided to send a destroyer for intelligence activities along with two P-3C patrol aircraft to the Middle East. However Japan will not join a US-led coalition in the region. | The prime minister's tour includes visits to Saudi Arabia, t…
(2020-01-13). Shedding 'crocodile tears' and 'dishonoring' Persian language: Iranian officials blast Trump's Farsi tweets. rt.com 
Officials in Tehran slammed both the language and the message of US President Donald Trump's tweets in Farsi, in which he backed anti-government protesters in the country and claimed to be standing up for ordinary Iranians. | "Hands and tongues smeared with threatening, sanctioning and terrorizing the #Iranian nation, are not entitled to dishonor the ancient #Persian language," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi tweeted on Monday. | By the way, are you actually 'standing by' millions of Irania…
(2020-01-13). "A System Failure": Iran Admits to Downing Airplane, Sparking Renewed Anti-Government Protests. democracynow.org 
Iranian protesters have taken to the streets for a third day, after the Iranian military acknowledged it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner last week, killing all 176 people on board, including 82 Iranians and 57 Canadians. Iran initially denied downing the plane, but Iran's Revolutionary Guard took responsibility for what authorities now describe as a "disastrous mistake." The plane was downed hours after Iranian forces fired 22 rockets at military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops, in retaliation for the U.S. assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Millions of Iranians took to the streets la…
(2020-01-13). Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts. thegrayzone.com As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…
(2020-01-13). What the World Needs Now Is Sustained Anti-War Activism for Peace in Our Time. globalresearch.ca It's vitally needed in the US nationwide, in other Western countries and elsewhere. | It's needed in large numbers, staying the course longterm, reviving the Vietnam era anti-war spirit in America. | January 9 was "No War With Iran Day of Action," …
(2020-01-13). No Iran War — Golden Gate Bridge Peace Walk. indybay.org Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco | 11: 45 am: Gather on the SF side of the eastern walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge. Parking available on southeast and southwest corners, just remember to take the last exit on hwy 101, northbound, as you approach the bridge, or, southbound, take the first exit after you leave the bridge. Arrive very early for best parking, or carpool. Public transportation below. | Noon: Walk begins on the eastern walkway from the southeast/S.F. side. Short, silent vigil in the middle with signs. Then return to the SF side bridge plaza for our rally. All welcome to speak. | 1: 00 pm: Rally on SF…
(2020-01-13). US secretary of state's attempt to suck up to Iranians backfires spectacularly. thecanary.co Since the beginning of this new decade, Donald Trump has pushed the US even closer to a war with Iran. So it's somewhat ironic, and indeed sickening, that on 12 January, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo tried to paint the US as a friend of the Iranian people: | @SecPompeo #IranProtests
(2020-01-13). Headlines for January 13, 2020. democracynow.org Esper Says He Did Not See Specific Evidence Soleimani Was Planning Embassy Attacks, Iran Admits It Mistakenly Shot Down Plane Last Week, Sparking Protests, House Expected to Vote to Send Articles of Impeachment to Senate This Week, Coveted New Hampshire Union SEIU Local Endorses Sanders, White House Press Secretary Under Pressure to Hold Press Briefing, Volcanic Eruption in Philippines Forces Residents to Evacuate Homes, French Government Backing Down on Efforts to Raise Retirement Age, Taiwan: Voters Re-elect President Tsai Ing-wen in Rebuke to Beijing, Malta: New Prime Minister to Be Sworn In, After Journalist'
(2020-01-13). Iran Admits to Downing Airplane, Sparking Renewed Anti-Government Protests. truthout.org Iranian protesters have taken to the streets for a third day, after the Iranian military acknowledged it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner last week, killing all 176 people on board, including 82 Iranians and 57 Canadians. Iran initially denied downing the plane, but Iran's Revolutionary Guard took responsibility for what authorities now describe as a "disastrous mistake." The plane was downed hours after Iranian forces fired 22 rockets at military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops, in re…
(2020-01-13). UK protesters speak out against war on Iran. wsws.org WSWS reporters spoke to attendees at Saturday's demonstrations in the UK against the danger of war in Iran.
(2020-01-13). Pompeo's Gulf of Tonkin Incident. Provocation to War. globalresearch.ca Like the crucial steps toward public acceptance preceding the U.S. invasions of Vietnam and Iraq, the assassination of Qassem Soleimani was aimed at building popular support for war on Iran. Not only the justification, but the assassination itself were part …
(2020-01-13). U.S. Media Says Russia the True Winner in Hostilities Against Iran. globalresearch.ca While the final outcome of the U.S.-Iran conflict is not yet clear, US media outlets and think tanks are already claiming that Russian President Putin is the winner. The U.S.-Iran hostilities has undermined Washington's confidence and reputation in the region, …
(2020-01-13). Iraq Remains US Occupied Territory, "We're Not Leaving Unless…" Say Trump. globalresearch.ca In response to the Trump regime's assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi deputy PMU head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iraq's prime minister and parliament called for expelling US troops from the country. | They're a hostile force wherever based, their …
(2020-01-13). New Poll Shows Most Americans Oppose Trump's Iran Agenda. globalresearch.ca All nations unwilling to subordinate their sovereign rights to US interests are on its target list for regime change. | US policies toward them are based on Big Lies and mass deception. | Throughout…
(2020-01-13). The Deep State "Entrapment of President Trump": Competing Factions within the Military intelligence Complex. globalresearch.ca What we witnessed last week was unprecedented in international affairs: the assassination of Iranian Gen. Qasem Suleimani, as well as a senior Iraqi military commander. Why did Trump decide to engage in this lawless, reckless act? Was it just …
(2020-01-13). Did Pompeo Dupe Trump into the Soleimani Hit? globalresearch.ca Donald Trump is under the illusion that the fracas with Iran is over. He thinks that Iran's pinprick missile strikes on US bases in Iraq have assuaged Tehran's thirst for revenge. But he's wrong. The missile strikes were merely the …
(2020-01-13). Only 23% of American Voters Found Iran on the Map, etc. indybay.org Believe it or not, only 23% of American voters can find Iran on the map, and the voters are the most educated sector of the population. See www.globalresearch.ca/only-23-american-voters-identify-iran-world-map/5700325…
(2020-01-13). The Facts About Iran and Terrorism. globalresearch.ca When emotion rules the day facts do not matter. Sadly, that is the reality we confront when it comes to talking about Iran and terrorism. The U.S. Government and almost all of the media continue to declare that Iran is …
(2020-01-13). Strikes in Iraq and Syria: US Terror for the New Year. globalresearch.ca US strikes against targets in Iraq in Syria belonging to Iranian-linked militias operating across the territory of both Middle Eastern nations directly before New Year's marked a new low for US foreign policy in the region. | The strikes were soon …
(2020-01-13). Iran admits to inadvertently shooting down Ukraine International Airlines jet, killing 176. wsws.org The felling of Flight 752 came amid a war crisis fomented by Washington's campaign of "maximum pressure" on Tehran and its January 3 assassination of Suleimani.
(2020-01-13). Ro Khanna "End the War in Iran" indybay.org BREAKING: Minutes ago, US Representaive Ro Khanna spoke at the Bernie Sanders rally in Iowa City Iowa. Here's video from minutes ago.
(2020-01-13). "Iran Must Begin Acting Like a Normal Nation," Says Totally Normal Nation. theantimedia.com The government which runs a globe-spanning empire led by a reality TV host keeps talking about the lack of normality in the nation of Iran.
(2020-01-13). The USA's System of Checks, Balances and Reality Crumbles as it Seeks War with Iran. counterpunch.org Send in Pope Francis, Not the Marines "Any Muslim who denies #JesusChrist's and #SaintMary's infallibility is rejected by #Islam. This is how Islam respects Jesus and Mary (pbut).The honor #Muslims attribute to #JesusChrist (pbuh) is no less than his position and merit in the eyes of the Christian believers in Christianity. Today, many who claim More
(2020-01-13). Great Britain Summons Iran's Ambassador Over Tehran's Envoy Arrest. sputniknews.com Earlier, an Iranian government spokesman said that the British ambassador's actions were "completely" unacceptable after media reported that the envoy was arrested at a rally in Tehran.
(2020-01-13). Trump Sends a "Death Threat" to Iraq's Prime Minister. globalresearch.ca The assassination of Major General Qaseem Soleimani, who was already a national hero in Iran, has now achieved the stature of a world class martyr. Carrying a diplomatic passport on his flight into Baghdad, Soleimani was also carrying the …
(2020-01-13). Ukraine Airliner Tragedy: Memories of Iran Air Flight 655 Shootdown, Cubana Flight 455 Attack. globalresearch.ca On July 3, 1988 the US guided missile destroyer USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, an Airbus A300 flying in Iranian airspace and carrying 290 civilians from Tehran to Dubai via Bandar Abbas, killing all aboard. | *** | "I'll …
(2020-01-13). Five Nations Affected by Ukrainian Plane Crash to Discuss Legal Action Against Iran – Kiev. sputniknews.com Iran admitted on Saturday to downing a Ukrainian Airlines Boeing 737 by mistake. The plane earlier crashed, killing all passengers on board.
(2020-01-13). No war on Iran. No war on women. indybay.org RefuseFascism Organizers meeting | 1590 Bryant, San Francisco…
(2020-01-13). ISIS and Israel Praise Trump's Assassination of Iranian Top General Soleimani. globalresearch.ca Ten days have passed since US President Donald J. Trump ordered the assassination of Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRCG) Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Soleimani had just arrived at Baghdad …
(2020-01-13). U.S. Now at War Against Iraq and Iran. globalresearch.ca On January 9th, Iraq's Prime Minister and Parliament again ordered all American troops out, but on January 10th the AP headlined "US dismisses Iraq request to work on a troop withdrawal plan" and reported that the U.S. State Department …
(2020-01-13). "Act of Divine Intervention:" ISIS Celebrates Killing of Iran's Top General. theantimedia.com It should come as no surprise that ISIS has heralded the death of Soleimani as an "act of divine intervention."
(2020-01-13). US Troops Forced to Hide in Saddam-Era Bunkers During Iran's Missile Attack. theantimedia.com (MEE) — US troops were ill-prepared to fend off Iran's ballistic missile attacks last week, with American soldiers forced to take cover in bunkers built by Saddam Hussein's administration, CNN reported. While the US had built its own bunkers at the Ain al-Asad airbase, those shelters were not built to deflect long-range missiles that Iran fired, CNN said, citing testimony …
(2020-01-13). Israeli Intelligence Involved in Killing of Soleimani: NBC. telesurenglish.net The Israeli intelligence played a role in the U.S.' assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani on January 3rd, NBC News reported over the weekend. | RELATED: | Pentagon Had No Evidence of Iran's Plan To Attack US Embassies | NBC News claimed, citing unnamed sources, that Israel's intelligence apparatus helped the U.S. stage the operation that led to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani and the Deputy Head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes.
(2020-01-13). As Tensions With Iran Escalate, It Is Time to Challenge Empire in the Classroom. truthout.org For educators, war is one of the most difficult topics to discuss within our classrooms. And yet, with the recent U.S. assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, Iraqi senior military leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and other Iraqis, the threat of imminent war is now forcefully part of the everyday thoughts of many students. | For families from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and other parts of the region, the weight of these anxieties has been carried for…
(2020-01-13). Cities in the Crosshairs Are Pushing Back Against Nuclear Weapons. truthout.org Two years after a mistakenly sent text alert warning of an inbound ballistic missile threat caused widespread panic and confusion across Hawaii, cities remain potential targets and nuclear jitters continue to grow around the world. | Panicked responses to the erroneous text alert — which read "BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL" and was accidentally issued on January 13, 2018, to Hawaii residents via the Emergency Alert System and Commercial Mob…
(2020-01-13). How Rising Temperatures Increase the Likelihood of Nuclear War. thenation.com How Rising Temperatures Increase the Likelihood of Nuclear War…
(2020-01-13). NATO Chief Stoltenberg Reveals How Alliance Will 'Respond' to Russia's Iskander-M Missiles. sputniknews.com The Russian military upgraded its tactical missile units with Iskander-M launchers throughout 2019, with the systems replacing the older Tochka-U missile systems. Capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads, the mobile, high-precision systems have an operational range of up to 500 km.
(2020-01-13). Saudi Arabia has taken all precautions to ensure safety of oil facilities: Energy Min. yenisafak.com Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister said the kingdom has taken all precautions to ensure the safety of oil facilities after recent strikes in Iraq."We have taken every precaution that can be taken," he told reporters when asked whether the kingdom had raised oil security after recent U.S. and Iran strikes in the region.Speaking at an industry event in Dahran, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud said the kingdom's oil production is at 9.744 million barrels per day in January and February.He also said Iraq's compliance with OPEC cuts improved in December and is looking for full compliance in January.