TRUMP SAYS U.S. WANTS TO AVOID WAR BUT IS READY AFTER DEATH OF IRANIAN LEADER SOLEIMANI
President Trump speaks in Mar-a-Lago about the drone strike that killed Iran’s top commander, General Qasem Soleimani
(The Slice): A major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran as the US takes down another top leader. On Friday afternoon from Mar-a-Lago, Pres. Trump made a statement about the US air strike that took down an Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani on Thursday. “Soleimani made the death of ... people his sick passion,” he said describing the deceased leader as a "monster." Trump did not take questions from reporters after speaking.
Angry Iranians protested with photos of the second in command member of their militia hoisted high — their government threatening even greater retaliation. Americans are on the edge wondering if war in the Middle East is imminent as the US deployed a 3000 troops to the region who the Pentagon says are on stand by.
“We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.” The assassination was a consequence of Iranian backed militia’s attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. Trump acted on guidance from the US intelligence officers who said the embassy attack was just the start. The regime had plans for a more widespread attack worldwide. The US State Department urged Americans to leave Iraq immediately for safety. Meanwhile the president departed to Miami to address two groups of evangelicals.
