Iran planning to attack American forces in Middle East

Agencies | Washington

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

The United States yesterday said it is keeping its forces in the Middle East on high alert as they have seen “increasing indications” of an attack against American forces or interests in the Middle East.

The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to NBC News, acknowledged that reading Iran’s intentions was “difficult and at times unpredictable.” But the indications are being taken seriously, the official said.

The one-year anniversary of the US’ killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani is tomorrow. Meanwhile, a senior commander of Iran said that “the US killing of top general Qassem Soleimani will not deter Iranian resistance”.

The United States killed Soleimani, leader of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, in Iraq on January 3, 2020. Washington had accused him of masterminding attacks by Iranian-aligned militias on US forces in the region.

Days after the US drone strike, Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on an Iraqi airbase where US forces were stationed, and Iranian forces on high alert mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner taking off from Tehran.

Esmail Ghaani who succeeded Soleimani as head the elite Quds force said yesterday Iran was still ready to respond.

“From inside your own house, there may emerge, someone who will retaliate for your crime,” he said at a televised event to mark the anniversary at Tehran University.

“American mischief will not deter the Quds force from carrying on its resistance path,” he added.

Meanwhile, two US B -52 bombers flew over the Middle East on Wednesday in what US officials said was a message of deterrence to Iran ahead of the first anniversary.