US President Donald Trump threatened “major retaliation” Sunday if Iran avenges the killing of a key military commander and he warned of massive economic sanctions against ally Iraq if the country expels US troops based there. “If they do anything there will be major retaliation,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One, as he flew back to Washington — and a looming Senate impeachment trial — from vacation in Florida. Trump had already threatened to bomb of 52 unspecified targets in Iran if Tehran attacks US troops and interests in the region. Many Iraqis have expressed outrage over the killing of Soleimani, who masterminded deep Iranian influence in the country. Trump told reporters that a forced departure of US troops would prompt sanctions even worse than those already imposed, to devastating effect, on Iran’s economy.

Source: Punch January 06, 2020 03:11 UTC