Iranian officials threatened the United States with “all out war” this week after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Tehran of launching a series of drone strikes that incapacitated 50% of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was speaking with CNN when he warned the Trump administration that any military strike would result in a prolonged conflict with the Islamic Republic.
“We won’t blink to defend our territory,” Zarif said, adding his military will fight “to the last American soldier”
“I make a very serious statement about defending our country. I am making a very serious statement that we don’t want to engage in a military confrontation,” he added.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that the recent drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil-industry likely originated in Iran, not Yemen as previously believed by intelligence officials.
“U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday doubled down on accusations Iran is responsible for the weekend bombing on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, telling reporters that the strike was ‘an act of war,’” reports Fox News.
“I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!” posted the President on social media.
I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019
Iran has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.
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MIDDLE EAST ON EDGE: Secretary Pompeo Says Iran Drone Strike an ‘Act of War’
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that the recent drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil-industry likely originated in Iran, not Yemen as previously believed by intelligence officials.
“U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday doubled down on accusations Iran is responsible for the weekend bombing on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, telling reporters that the strike was ‘an act of war,’” reports Fox News.
“I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!” posted the President on social media.
I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019
Iran has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks that shut-down nearly 50% of Saudi Arabia’s oil production.
“Iran’s response will be prompt and strong, and it may include broader areas than the source of attacks,” Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported.
Read the full report at Fox News.
BREAKING NOW: Iran Shoots Down US Navy Drone, Pentagon Says ‘Unprovoked Attack’ by Tehran
A US Navy Drone was shot-down over the Strait of Hormuz early Thursday in what Pentagon officials are describing as an “unprovoked attack” by Iran.
“A U.S. Navy high-altitude drone was shot down Thursday by an Iranian surface-to-air missile over the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions in the region after last week’s attacks on two oil tankers, according to military officials,” reports Fox News.
“U.S. Central Command said in a statement the that a U.S. Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance ISR aircraft, known as a BAMS-D, was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system while operating in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 7:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday,” adds Fox.
“Iranian reports that the aircraft was over Iran are false,” Capt. Bill Urban, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said in a statement. “This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset in international airspace.”
According to US officials, the pilot-less plane -approximately the same size as Boeing 737- was flying 17 miles from Iranian airspace when it was shot down by a single surface-to-air missile.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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