Iran warns Prez Trump over ‘dangerous actions’

It was in response to a rocket attack on an Iraqi base

Tehran, March 13: Iran on Friday warned US President Donald Trump against taking “dangerous actions” after American forces launched air strikes that they said targeted a pro-Iranian armed group in neighbouring Iraq.

“The United States cannot blame others... for the consequences of its illegal presence in Iraq and the nation’s reaction to the assassination and killing of Iraqi commanders and fighters,” foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.

“Instead of dangerous actions and baseless accusations, Mr Trump should reconsider the presence and behaviour of his troops in the area,” he added.

The statement was issued hours after the Pentagon said the US had launched strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah armed faction. The United States said the strikes targeted five weapons facilities across Iraq.

A crater and destruction in the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala, in one of the areas targeted by US military air strikes against a pro-Iranian group in Iraq following the deaths of two Americans and a Briton in a rocket attack on a US base in Taji. — AFP

It said they were carried out in response to the killing on Wednesday of two Americans and a Briton in a rocket attack on Taji air base. Wednesday’s attack was the 22nd on US installations in Iraq, including the American embassy, since late October.

While there was no

immediate claim of responsibility, Washington has blamed what it says are Iran-backed factions from the Hashed alShaabi network, a statesponsored umbrella group that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, for recent similar violence. Iran has always denied it backs Iraqi militias. — AFP