last how will you do this in iraq iraq is a country iraq is a state please listen to this. he said there is no a state in iraq there is no a state in iraq there's nothing called iraq go to his village is go to his all jews how will you control the oil fields he said we will send forces we will seize big parts security belts will be built and we will get the oil we will send the all you will to the world so iran from 3 years ago on says now is to draw me in a the oil fields in iraq and to get the oil you in wealth in iraq he doesn't want a country he doesn't want to step in iraq so as not to prevent him or there is a country she the country must be submitted to the americans to the american army to the american ambassador politically and security and the economic elite. the one before brought down trump him says said that obama and had a reckless and an have created that ice of. americans want to continue the war to continue for years and years in all of that to have a pretext to stay in iraq they said a world war against need 1020 or 30 years and the big billboard of war ag

troops in iraq but also even yet influence in iraq so if iraq ease today at corn and enough for 6 years between the u.s. and iran who's the safest choice for them the safest choice is to have both of them . leave iraq the entire reason why why this escalation or this the tension escalated between the u.s. and iran is because both of them were trying to orchestrate something that would pull the attention away from the iraqi uprisings that began in early october the iraqi led a rocky youth led movement that began in early october 2019 flip the entire equation the equation of the balance of power between several regional power players in iraq where beyond the u.s. and the iranian rivalry in iraq but if we were to look at both of them if we look at the consequence of the sequence of the of the events starting from the base in a kind of cool corner the american contractor civilian got killed it's very obvious that iran try to orchestrate something to pull the attention away from the protests that carried a very heavy anti iran sentiment a very heavy sentiment against the iranian dominance an

presence in iraq. it's so divided the specially of groups like 2 days ago the problem is session then we saw only we 128 members only 170 showed up which is all of them was from one to broke and we know that actually to come to she outlives so basically this is actually the issue that is why there was a prediction and we mostly aimed at the country is that the caucuses will give language and in america any kind of programming militias included and that is the key clue and it's really skull and let's see now called example today the. strike that happened today in a block from the iranian side we didn't hear the same voices fail to act with the and they are trying and trying that's changing the law come a lot of the governments are a lot united and. protect the difficulty of the country. he was just wondering where the antigovernment protests are standing right now we're a rock is under a different kind of a fret because of the back and forth between iran and the u.s. . and i'm going to push back i'm goi

iraq will suffer a lot of the americans will leave iraq. iraq should compose a policy towards americans, they will compose policies towards iran, we have now massive demonstrations taking place in iraq, not acknowledging the government and not really acknowledging the parliament and there are 500 people at least have been killed so far, yesterday one of my people was killed, assassinated in baghdad. i want to talk about the internal protests in iraq in a moment but let's stick with the diplomacy and the politics concerning the united states and iran. we know that qasem soleimani built an incredibly strong intelligence and military network inside your country, inside iraq. that's correct, yes. he used the people's mobilisation forces, he used his connections inthe defence ministry and intelligence ministry to in essence control much of what was happening inside iraq. that's why we don't accept this, that's why we don't accept iran domination of iraq. i don't accept this. do you have any choice? we have choices. we have choices to build a rea

metal and the economic and facilities in iraq are quite keen for the sake of iraq and are quite keen to have relations of friendship with the countries that have helped us to fight that with the neighboring countries and we are also quite good to prevent anyone to interfere in our internal affairs and our sovereignty in our higher. interest the change of security administrative and the economic political behavior is quiet important because we need to have. read real state to get rid of depending only on oil we need to have at it you methods in order to fight the employment and to create jobs and to create other tools in order to help ourselves and help our country our way from the oil revenues only to find the lazy have some recommendations as prime minister and as the general commander of the phone says is to go to the fairest of action the spite some inside and outside troubles but this option is the best for iraq and is the best holder to have the right sound proper relations with the righteousness of america that is based on friendship and based on respect and sovereignty and bas

i want to just follow up on iraq the implications for iraq and what we're seeing in iraq today because we've seen months of process of people saying they don't want iranian influence in the country and indeed there were reports of people celebrating today in baghdad the killing of so the money what is the future there for iraq given the political instability and clearly in the eyes of some on the ground there an anti iranian feeling well we also saw a huge numbers of people who joined the funeral ceremony for the rockies who were murdered by the americans just a couple of days ago. the overwhelming majority of iraqis support their soldiers and their war heroes and of course there are going to be those who are very hostile towards iran there are there are large numbers of iraqis who are part of the saddam hussein regime they are still in iraq there are many iraqis who supported isis which is backed by western governments and regional regimes we know this the documents have come out look at the weekend leaks. e-mails of hillary clinton look at the u.s. the defense u.s. defense intelligen

troops being asked to leave iraq president trump said that 1st iraq would have to pay us back for the enormous base that we built and the enormous military base that we built the iraqis and they would have to pass back for the enormous embassy that we built as it invited here as the invasion into iraq you know it's the beginning to be here. i think. they're very grateful that they paid that need to get to america and that all. and. i think didn't so far i can say they're getting lately to get a lot of takes but. well he would go ahead yes . what everything like you know is what i'm what i'm sure. he will allow hillary to. this issue of america. he will continue. on the issue of america and iran i think the people of iraq are split. into 2 camps some of them and this is a think more all of the kurds the sunnis who thought their own peace could to parliament session that the resolution saying asking for the u.s. to pull out of. iraq they boycotted the session and the mood on the street is that the u.s. must persist stay because iraq still is unable to stand on its feet because of the th

wants to tell the story that iran's asserting a vice like grip over iraq and that essentially iraq's become if you like an iranian college colony whilst iran maintains actually it's a partner to iraq it wants to help rebuild and supports its neighbor and yet parts of the criticism we're hearing today is that this p.m.s. protest at the embassy is simply an attempt to draw attention away from the peaceful protesters. i think it's pretty clear no matter how one frames it that the americans have repeatedly bombed the popular mobilisation groups and they murdered many of them and the accusations that they have attacked american positions are simply american accusations the there's been no court of law in iraq that has proven this and if the popular mobilisation supporters and their people do not leave the gates of the u.s. embassy. during the gauche ations with the iraqi government possibly it's because it's linked to the fact that the iraqi government told americans not to bomb them and they did so they're not going to sit probably they're vulnerable being be prepared to be bombed again

the iranian influence in iraq. goes back to 1980 s. but there are 2 important milestones will cause some sort of money became fully involved on the situation in iraq the 1st milestone was basically goes back to september 2002 when he was called basically to focus on iraq and that was basically after the american decision decision to remove saddam hussein and then the beginning of 2003 basically the whole iraqi file was in the hands of some sort of money and the courts force in particular and that was an important milestone because because they were basically running the whole military show bringing all of the back all of the iraqis who were involved who were living in iraq and then establishing in a gradually the forces to defend the new iraq 2003 but important my list on which goes back to few years ago in order to maliki ask them so they managed to help on fighting. basically and that was. the step where to pass some sort of a manny start with the support of sustain any establishing what's the hold that has to sh

/iraq relations. also, while iran's allies in the region have threatened to avenge soleimani's killing, will the process of economic and governance crises in lebanon and in iraq prevent such steps? third, internationally, how willing are the european countries to break away from the u.s. and chart their own iran policy and nuclear deal? what is the current and future strategy by the united states and the trump administration towards iran? especially given that it is an election year here. amidst all of these domestic, regional and international crises are iran and the united states ready for war, negotiations, or neither? or are we to expect a continuation of controlled escalation and probably the use of unconventional warfare methods? to answer these questions, and help us analyze these developments and options, we are pleased and fortunate to have with us a great panel of experts to discuss the implications of the recent tensions and the killing of soleimani both regionally and beyond. thank you all

does have options iraq iraq is a rich country and despite the occupation of the united states and the meddling of your on it remains to be a solid sovereign country and is and has more than capable people. in order to you know build the economy build the country and so on so forth but iran does have influence in iraq and this is the big thing and this is the big story for us between the united states and iran the united states walked according to strategy to geopolitics iran depended on its geography its close relations its religion she is' and. all sorts of connections course border with iraq that allowed it so much influence within the country the question is will he use it or abuse it clearly a lot of people think it's a lot of abuse going on in terms of its relationship with iraq so what options then does iran have now following the assassination of sunni money and asked to respond somehow if it doesn't respond it will be seen as weak observer but it doesn't want to risk an all out war with the americans either given that they're already engaged in other conflicts in the region in

iraq has called on the u.n. security council to condemn the killing of her radiant general custom sort of money and the iraqi militia leader who was killed alongside him during a u.s. drone strike last week general antonio terrorists is also calling for restraint. so the money's remains have just arrived in his hometown of come out his final resting place he will be the perry don't choose to earlier on monday a huge crowds packed the streets in the capital tehran for the funeral procession the supreme leader ayatollah khomeini and the president hassan rouhani held president gets on. well more now on that mistakenly sent letter about u.s. troops in iraq and glen call was deputy national intelligence officer for transnational threats at the cia and he told us the confusion over the letter is symptomatic of the chaos in the trump administration. by this point everyone on earth should have the measure of the man he is utterly amoral selfish focused narcissistic and doesn't care about the law. custom coordination or

bases in iraq. i mean people are very worried larry can't they're afraid that another war will come to iraq and you know iraq is coming out years of conflict and so i think that people are dismayed at the idea that you know yet again their country could become the battlefield for a war between if they don't they don't have anything to do with they don't want it on or the u.s. kind of playing out their battles in their country. gives a journalist in the iraqi capital baghdad thank you very much for your assessment from there. we go to should she standing by in brussels for us today what's the response been from elitist to this is on it a missile attack. it's interesting because the european union response is largely unchanged due to the overnight attacks they are still saying they're very worried and they're calling on all sides to refrain from for live further violence and to deescalate the situation now this is something as we know will not sit well in washington european commission president ursul

west of iraq. iran iran these are should also warning united states to to crease the situation and also they also put another goals and other targets in the region they also we are ready to give in the wave of the of the attack probably back to you tell us more about about one of the confirmed targets now the ol assad air base what do we know about that base and tell us about its significance for the u.s. military. that's right of course there are 2 bases but one of course is the. base and that's in western iraq we must also mention that there are over $5000.00 u.s. troops based in iraq it's a very large complex it's split into 2 though it's split into an area where american troops are based and then there are iraqi troops and another part of the base we're waiting for confirmation that in fact the attack earlier today was actually to the iraqi side we also don't know whether there are casualties yet that is still unconfirmed and it's a place that's very well known to americans why because vice pre

so it is internally a very tense situation in iraq iraq find itself in the throes of this security situation where at least 2 bases belonging to u.s. led coalition have come under attack by iran and we await an official response from the iraqi government osama thank you very much you're watching all jazeera and continuing coverage of the developing story coming to us out of iraq iran says it's launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles of u.s. facilities in iraq at least 2 bases have been targeted one in erbil and the other one of the areas in the province of anbar iran's revolutionary guard has assumed a warning to israel and other u.s. allies in the region saying they'll be attacked if their countries are used to strikes against tehran. it is standing by for us at the white house as big as the latest reaction out of iran 1st let's go. to osama bin. in the iraqi capital just before we start our conversation of some of we have got these live pictures coming to us from kemah on the actual funeral for. so the money taking place following on from the 3 days of official mourning compelling pi

this again would be handing iraq and the flames of iraq to the successor of qasem soleimani. so iran has already named a successor for soleimani's position there. so iraq is going to be pivotal for the regional pushback on iran. as the u.s. steps up pressure on the islamic republican, iran feels like it is between a rock and a hard place. talk of sanctions right now against iraq are premature. the reason is that the iraqi parliament, especially the pro iran block has used almost every opportunity in 2019 to try to evict america and they failed. the most recent resolution that people are citing is a nonbinding one, so it is expression of distaste with the americans. but american troops are still there. america needs to make sure iraq is on its side as it pushes back against iran. >> people in the streets are saying we want the u.s. out. we want iran out. they have been in the streets protesting the government. they don't have basic rights and services since the fall of saddam hussein, so this puts them in an awkward position as far as the citizens go. you said of soleimani tha

still facing a very uncertain future in iraq, including the imminent prospect of the government of iraqrdering the removal of all forces on the ground. the president making it clear he's not planning on a pullout. take a listen. >> i think it's the worst thing that can happen to iraq. >> reporter: the american people, though, don't think a withdrawal is such a bad idea. they remain intensely skeptical of continued u.s. presence on the ground. the latest poll finds over half americans believe the war in iraq has made the homeland less safe when it comes to terrorism, 51%. half of americans, 50% on the noes think that u.s. military engagement with iraq in the first place was a big mistake. the numbers even more alarmingly high among veterans. 64% of them say the war in iraq wasn't worth fighting. when it comes to iran, the american public also still largely skeptical of u.s. military intervention. new polling shows less than 10% of americans support a military strike against iran's nuclear facilities. the large majority, far, far prefer a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis. some st

rdwesterg n iraq tonight. i want to get to our chief white house correspntmodeontoon jha l depmlovenytsesenponse rofrom the house yet? >> reporter: no response yet, david, but theresident today atd to any iranianft ira to if iran were totrike the ited states. this came on aay when he d fe mor reasoning for atta for theck attag,ck that took out qassem imlesoanen that >> well,r e, k non hearing about it tomorrow. we had tremendous information. we've been following hims th for a war crime. >> and you know what, if that's what the law is -- i like to obey the law. but think of it. they kill our people. they blow up our people, then we have to be gentle with their cultural institutions. but i'm okay with it. it's okay with me. >> reporter: the strike that killed soleimaniook place inaqsd prompting the iraqi parliament to vote to expel u.s. troops. yesterday, the u.s. military sparked coby sending then nfio iraqi government a letter announcing that american troops would be pulling out. the pentagon insists the lette

into iraq. creating a proxy war in iraq use oil which has no reason and no need for it if there is a problem between the united states of america between the united states and iran there. as well take it between themselves why involving iraq why attack iraq soldiers in retaliation only in policy this is something that there is no need for it it will definitely lead to deterioration of diplomatic relationship between iraq and the united states and will definitely affect the presence of american soldiers american fighting forces here in iraq well r.t. has spoken to the group targeted by the u.s. qatar hezbollah is what their spokes person to say. that the americans striking this particular force in iraq want to present their actions as a fight against iranian influence but that is not so after being attacked by the gangs of eisel it was the iraqi people who were the rebuff and resistance not the iranians. the concluded strategic framework agreement between the usa and iraq does not allow the ameri

have now 12 he really and advisors in iraq and they're already left iraq we have the french and those radians and maybe some other minor forces from other countries they will all be asked to leave of course not only for the americans very briefly so final thought it's a very bold move as we head into the new year new decade do you have high hopes for your country over the coming years if this does happen is it really going to benefit iraq if the americans pull out or is it something you might live to regret you think. this is very important for there are a thought for the american support we don't want to be drawn into a war between iran and america on iraqi soil if the americans pull out the iranians cannot use iraq as a battlefield between them and the americans we need the americans to leave so iran will leave us alone iran will not leave iraq alone unless until there are american soldiers on the rocky soil the iranians are generally afraid and they feel that they are threatened by the presence of military american military hardware and equipment and personnel in iraq therefore it'

-iraq relations. allies in thean's region have vowed to revenge the killing, will the crisis in lebanon and iraq prevent such steps. third, will other countries break away from the u.s. and chart their own deals? what's the strategy of the trump administration toward iran especially given that it's an election year here. amidst these domestic, regional and international crises, are iran and the united states ready for war, negotiations, or neither or are we co-expect controlled keaslation and the use of unconventional warfare methods? to answer these questions and help analyze these developments an options we are pleased and fortunate to have with us a great panel of experts to discuss the implications of the killing nsions and the in the region and beyond. thank you for joining us and being with us to contribute to this discussion. ahmad who has agreed to chair the discussion and contribute to the discussion. before giving the platform to the panelists i would like to remind you to silence your phone

troops out of iraq deadly rise o the of isis in iraq and syria and formation of the caliphate. 2002 iraq aumf was not only used against saddam hussein, it al qaeda and, quote, other international organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of the united states citizens. so those on the other side say it's only -- it only applies to addam hussein, that's absolutely incorrect. it applies to international terrorist organizations like al qaeda. members will recall that al aeda in iraq later became ice isz, a -- isis, a brutal transnational terrorist organization that continues to american lives and interests and our homeland. that reason, president aumf, as the 2002 legal authority for his military against isis in iraq. urrent administration opposes repealing the 2002 aumf because, an important ins source of additional authority for military operations against in iraq and to defend the national security of the united emanatinginst threats from iraq. s my colleagues know, these vital counterisis operations continue. that authorization without a replacement endang

embassy in iraq or some u.s. installation in the gulf an american reaction as we've heard from senator lindsey graham who's actually kind of the unofficial government voice if you will is that maybe the america they are indian to find that he is would be attacked and america has incredible number of possibilities to respond to an iranian retaliation because america has incredible military superiority when it comes to iran so you could only expect in this scenario that iran will respond in any number of ways that does not involve open military confrontation that could be. a whole series of assassinations and counted as a situation that could involve low intensity warfare in iraq and other places in the gulf and it could involve a covert operation in proxy conflicts as we've heard from our various correspondents in lebannon in iraq and elsewhere that iran has tools in the region it has all eyes has clients in the region that it could use against various u.s. allies and targets trumps team presumably or would they w

hondas in iraq. this is the time for diplomacy this is the time for rational thinking this is not the time for tit for tat for response because it will start moving up the ass from the tory ladder but that's not the language we're hearing right now from other side is that we're not hearing the language of diplomacy. well we should as somebody who used to be a soldier is somebody who is who has led soldiers i don't think this is the time for the differences between our 2 countries to be. resolved through our soldiers at this point it's just it's it's on necessary. a war to get your assessment on what got us to this point if you like the point where is people assigning a affectively a declaration of war has been made for the united states against iran you served under president george w. bush a previous guest said others have made the point as well that you can slice home some months of what we've seen today because of that intervention inside iraq and that america is still bogged down in fighting the

presence out of iraq the u.s. also as we know has a massive presence in iraq talk to us about these 2 bases how significant they were for the u.s. well as has been noted you know these the u.s. has a lot of presence in the region it has the 5th fleet which is a major major deployment. in the strait of hormuz it has a lot of presence in saudi arabia the u.s. right now has about $5000.00 troops in iraq and the purpose of those troops after the withdrawal of iraqi troops under the obama administration is primarily to lead operations the anti isis coalition. presence in erbil you know that is kind of a u.s. for a long time a u.s. stronghold because it's right at the heart of kurdish territory in iraq and those have been traditionally the greatest allies of the americans in iraq in particular the other bases in the middle of the sunni triangle so that's kind of an area that if we were talking 15 years ago was a real source of anxiety because that's really where a lot of the insurgency after saddam hussein was kind of r

especially since the us invasion of iraq in 2003, soleimani has driven the iranian expansion into iraq, into yemen, afghanistan and pakistan to some extent and has consolidated the control of the revolutionary guards inside iran and planted sleeper cells and trained rebels in saudi arabia, bahrain and other places in the region. he has been one of the most destabilising figures and has certainly been the mastermind behind the post—2003 hegemonic iranian expansion into the region and support for lebanese hezbollah. so he was a very high level target to take out, and i think iranian strategy and probably some of their implementation will suffer without him at the helm. interesting you rate it as that significant and i want to get back to soleimani and indeed the wider iranian influence in iraq a little later in the interview, but one more point on the issue of lawfulness. you very carefully say it's really not for you to judge the lawfulness or not, i would put it to you that as a us ambassador long—standing, it really does matter to you and now your successor in baghdad this question of

role of iraq. i think the iranians have trusted has been relying on their relationships with the iraqis and they will question. alliances let's say after the facts from this event come to light but since only money has been active. knowledge this. is providing a new units have been providing military aid and training to the popular mobilization forces in iraq there is persons really grew up during the height of i saw in iraq at the request of then prime minister maliki and a. number of interviews that was shown around that time by the prime minister where he said he asked for help from the americans to fight because they were very close to reaching baghdad and the americans did not respond to this call and that's when the iranians respond that he said that money was in fact that within 2 hours with has forced us to make sure that not reach the gate back that these are the kinds of images that we've heard seen that we've heard about this figure of also he there was numbers been a number of attempted

in iraq's state t.v. said at least 80 american troops were killed but washington has not announced any casualties tehran said the strikes were tally ation for the u.s. assassination of its top general on friday. a ukrainian passenger plane has crashed in iran killing all 176 people on board the boeing 737 was on its way to the ukrainian capital kiev and came down shortly after taking off from tehran airport it's not immediately clear what caused the crash which took place hours after the iranian missile attack on u.s. led forces in iraq ukraine's president vladimir selenski has broken off a foreign visit to return to kiev. the former chairman of nissan carlos gomez made an explosive 1st public appearance since playing japan where he was awaiting trial on corruption charges in beirut he said the allegations of financial misconduct against him were untrue and his treatment was a travesty against human rights. this is debut news from berlin for more follow us on twitter academia news or visit our website did

in iraq, saying the united states should quit iraq.iate term, i suppose, it's potentially in the long term interest of iran that the united states continues to sort of weaken the case for why iraq should continue to be allied with the united states. from that perspective, that's the real reason i'm troubled by all this or one of the reasons that i'm troubled by all this. >> incredible times. great analysis as always. feisal itshrabodi. thank you so much. >>> thank you. i'm michael holmes. i will be back with more of our breaking news in a couple minutes. >>> this is cnn breaking news. >> hello to our viewers all around the world. i'm michael holmes. we're on top of breaking news this hour. a serious escalation in the simmering conflict between the u.s. and iran. the pentagon confirming that president trump ordered a strike against top-raining military commander qassim soleimani. we'll hear from nick paton walsh later in the program. let's talk about soleimani. he was the leader of the qud force and

iraq emitted bases hosting u.s. troops it's to iran's retaliation against the assassination of us into a money but will this revenge operation stop there and might washington strike back this is inside story. hello welcome to the program. there's been much speculation about the scale and target of iran's retaliation to the assassination of its top military command customs today money and there's also speculation about whether the killing of the head of the revolutionary guards elite force could bring all out war to the middle east iran find more than a dozen besides a 2 air bases hosting american forces in iraq early wednesday it's the most direct attack on the u.s. by iran in decades initial statements by both countries seem to say they don't want further escalation the iranian foreign minister exact words were it one took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense to iran's made it clear it will strike again if washington responds as for u.s. president donald trump it waited all is well after iran struck

some politicians in iraq and he's mixing chem business with iraq he's a soul but the majority of the people that i talk with them they think that mr salaam money was the main figure in the the 1st person giving them. back up fighting is them into states in mosul a they believe that he is still one of nurture and i think tomorrow at 11 o'clock in back there is a huge gathering of calling for a gathering force of mr scott's a lot of money. on this and i think we will going to see some footage coming from baghdad to morrow with the thousands of people who told you thanks for joining us we thank you for which. well the u.s. killing has drawn a variety of responses from the international community predictably russia is critical of the foreign minister saying that this is a step by washington could have grave consequences for regional peace and stability in our view such actions do not contribute to the finding of solutions to the complicated problems that have accumulated in the middle east here's a tweet from germany's foreign minister heiko mass the us military operation follows a serie

what is the fate of iraq here where do we stand right now. well i would have to agree that the u.s. has the big boon to its influence there are by this especially nation we're talking about many but by the way the assassination of the iraqi commander of the population forces i do not believe i'm this he's an extremely important figure as well and that so wholesome is something which ship receive that very angry reaction from the iraqis so this wasn't just an operation again you have to recall it's not just the oration against soviet money it was an operation which targeted a key i think amanda who played a key role in fighting isis so i think the u.s. doesn't don't insult any favors whatsoever it did have some influence in iraq yes that's true it might still have some income but their influence that i believe has greatly diminished up a same time i think that iran's influence has risen and incidentally i think that the u.s. the policies it's pursuing in the middle east i think they stem more from this will view that there is good and evil as

iraq is in flames the u.s. embassy in baghdad has been seized by crowds of people chanting death to america. was was was. really good. was. the. now you might think that iraq has plenty of reason to be outraged with the united states you might recall that whole invading destroying and killing thousands of people in the country thing however truck doesn't see it that way this is his assessment of it that iran killed an american contractor went in many we strongly responded and always will now run his ark a straight in an attack on the us embassy in iraq they will be held fully responsible in addition we expect iraq to use its forces to protect the embassy and so no to find it's all about iran one of the things we want to emphasize is that this was a defensive action that was designed to protect american forces and american citizens in iraq we're also working on the mission city of restoring deterrence against in rimi an aggression that the united states recently conducted airstrikes against iranian backed militi

drone strike in iraq. the president ordered that ait tack a attack and defended it again today. >> the president made a surprise visit to one of the bases the bs was attacked. you are looking at him at the al-assad base after christmas >> we spoke with eric swalwell about what's next. >> it's important that we not dramatically escalate this to a war with iran. we could ndo not want a war wit. we have learned hard lessons in the past half century that war in the middle east is costly in lives and money and just, it's disruption that it causes to cultures and it seems that pulling out of the iran nuclear deal, once we did that, things only got worse. >> barbara lee released this statement, saying sadly, this response is exactly what we feared. trump

military presence in iraq now trump is been threatening iraq with sanctions making you have to pay for these bases while the u.s. and its allies in baited in 2003 illegally i don't see why the iraqis have to pay one cent as a matter fact an apology is. do you also we have threats that the the new york fed bank may withhold cash reserves that are held on behalf of iraq and if i'm not mistaken in the in the tune of $3000000000.00 i mean is this how you treat an ally i mean don't you go shared in top with a now i am not threatened that's how you resolve issues or maybe that is is something no one void in this administration when it comes to foreign policy go ahead alex what this is absolutely shocking behavior because those troops those american troops in iraq are supposed to be there at the invitation of iraq if iraq asks for them to go they should go in fact it seems that the united states not only wants them to stay it is prepared to put coercive pressure and you talked about this attempt to stop you in iraq accessing banking facilities in order to force them to stay that is not the ac

has no plans to pull out of iraq he said that after a letter was leaked to iraq in media saying u.s. forces will be repositioning pentagons as the letter was circulated by the state. you know there are a lot of iraqis are worried that they will suffer the most from this growing tension between iran and the u.s. not to mention donald trump's threat to impose sanctions so wonderful tim has more on that from bank that. an uneasy mood has settled over back that scarred by decades of intermittent war people in iraq's capital know the eerie suspense that precedes one in coffee shops old and young alike who worry about being caught in the middle as the u.s. and iran threaten further escalation of the the heart of the bottle we don't want the battle to come to our country they want to start a war they want to settle accounts but we are the ones who lose young men lose money lose infrastructure we won't benefit from this. people here are still in shock over the u.s. strike that assassinated iranian general qassam soleimani near baghdad airport drawing threats of retaliation from iran and its

coming out of iraq the u.s. is actually moving more troops into the region 4500 amphibious troops from the marines and the navy are headed to the region you've got the 82nd airborne going to iraq that's 4000 troops there there are about 50000 u.s. troops in that region right now more of them because of these rising tensions with iran there was one other thing that was interesting that came out of that news conference at the pentagon which was not televised which is why we're not showing it to you and that is that as secretary esper contradicted the president the president just the other day said he had $52.00 sites in the united states could target and those included cultural sites in iran esper was asked about that and he said we will follow the laws of armed conflict and he was asked does that mean no you will not attack cultural sites and he said that is the law of armed conflict and in fact under a treaty from the 1950 s. the u.s. signed that treaty it is a war crime to attack cultural sites or the pentagon

army has told iraq that it is preparing to move out of the country they say in a letter to iraq's ministry of defense from the u.s. brigadier general william seeley stating that the u.s. will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks he says they are doing so in jew deference to the sovereignty of the republic of iraq of course this follows the assassination of the iranian military commander money in a u.s. airstrike and iraq's call for foreign troops to leave that country. of aid is live for us in baghdad and of course this comes hot of the heels of that vote in the iraqi parliament what is reaction likely to be that of this. well mary i'm in it's been a very interesting 24 hours because the morning started with a threat from the u.s. president donald trump saying that if iraq forces us to leave it will. shut down its bases it will have to pay compensation it will have to face sanctions and now we see this letter which has been confirmed by a few sources in the iraqi government that u.s. forces are being relocated on their way out as a sign of respect to the ira

military targets in iraq the u.s. defense department says it's still assessing the damage the missiles reportedly hits 2 bases the base in western iraq and another near the city of erbil in the north iran's revolutionary guard says the attack was in retaliation for the us assassination of general qassam solely money. it's all about the. iranian state television claiming at least 15 missed silos fired by iranian forces have hit the. base in iraq killing 80 u.s. soldiers. the numbers cannot yet be verified and so far there have been no reports of casualties from the united states or other coalition forces. this promised act of revenge was for the killing of top military commander general salim mani the move has been widely welcomed across iran. crowds chanting death to america as iran's supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei tells them their message has been delivered. in court or you're. forced to live at last night. but what is important is that the seditious presence of america. in the region should be and it fits. th

, and that part of iraq was always considered sort of the other iraq.spared much of the violence that had plagued the rest of the country. the base there is very close to the airport. the other location that was targeted is the al asad air base, this massive sprawling base in al anbar province that was once the heart of the sunni insurgency. both of these locations very central to the u.s. military's options both in iraq and syria. remember, the u.s. has temporarily suspended its anti-isis operation, suspended its training of the iraqi security forces. but both of these locations most certainly very central to that effort. >> all right. arwa damon, be careful. thank you. qassem soleimani's remains were brought back to his place of origin in iran. the question, what comes next of course remains uppermost. just ahead, i'll talk with two veteran journalists with incredibly extensive knowledge of the region, one of whom was held captive in iran to get their take on the next hours and days. i've always been running- running to meetings, errands... now i'm ru