Better be careful about words, Trump warns Rouhani
War of words between Iran and US escalates as presidents trade threats and warnings
Donald Trump has dialled up the rhetoric against Iran, warning the country’s president he “better be careful” about his words.
The war of words between Tehran and Washington escalated as President Hassan Rouhani and Trump traded threats and warnings.
Rouhani told a crowd of hundreds of thousands marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution on Friday that “the Iranian people must be spoken to with respect.”
“Iranians will make those using threatening language against this nation regret it,” he said. “Anyone threatening Iran’s government and armed forces should know that our nation is vigilant.”
When Trump was asked about the remarks later, he responding that “he better be careful.” The US president has toughened the rhetoric against Iran considerably since coming to office. He has also introduced sanctions after an Iranian missile test. Many in Trump’s inner circle want to see a harder line against Tehran, but have so far shied away from killing a deal that saw Iran get sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear programme
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi told state TV that his country won’t take part in any regional or international conflicts. The comment came after Al Abadi had spoken in a phone call with Trump during which tensions with Iran were mentioned.
A political commentator close to Al Abadi, Ehsan Al Shammari, said Al Abadi’s comment addressed the US-Iranian tensions. Iran has close ties with the Shiite political elite ruling Iraq while Washington is providing critical military support to Iraqi forces battling terror group Daesh.
“Iraq is very keen to preserve its national interests (..) and does not wish to be part of any regional or international conflict which would lead to disasters for the region and for Iraq,” Al Abadi said, according to state TV.
Al Abadi’s office also gave a readout of the phone call that took place overnight on Thursday, without specifically mentioning Iran.
The Iraqi readout said Al Abadi asked Trump to lift the ban on people from his country travelling to the United States.
Iraq won’t take part in any regional or international conflicts, Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi told state TV yesterday. The comment came after Al Abadi had spoken in a phone call with US President Donald Trump during which tensions with Iran were mentioned.
The call was the first between the two leaders.
A political commentator close to Abadi, Ihsan Al Shammari, said Al Abadi’s comment addressed the US-Iranian tensions.
Iran has close ties with the Shiite political elite ruling Iraq while Washington is providing critical military support to Iraqi forces battling Daesh.
“Iraq is very keen to preserve its national interests... and does not wish to be part of any regional or international conflict which would lead to disasters for the region and for Iraq,” Al Abadi said, according to state TV.
Trump said on Friday that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani “better be careful” after the latter was quoted as saying that anyone who speaks to Iranians with threats would “regret it”.
The White House on Friday said Trump and Al Abadi “spoke to the threat Iran presents across the entire region,” in their first phone call since the inauguration of the US president.
Anti-terror cooperation
Al Abadi’s office on Friday also gave a readout of the phone call that took place on Thursday night, without specifically mentioning Iran.
Both readouts stressed the importance of their continued cooperation against Daesh, as the militants are being pushed back in Iraq and losing control over Mosul, the last major city stronghold under their control in the country.
The United States has more than 5,000 troops deployed in Iraq and is providing air and ground support in the battle of Mosul.
Iran has also played a major role in the fight against Daesh by arming and training Iraqi Shiite groups collectively known as Popular Mobilisation.
“The Iraqi prime minister Dr [Al] Abadi is stressing once again the policy of neutrality and to steer clear from conflicts,’’ political commentator Shammari told state TV.
The Iraqi readout said Al Abadi asked Trump to lift the ban on people from his country travelling to the US.
US courts suspended the restrictions announced end January on entries from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Trump has said he will keep trying to reinstate them.
Al Abadi resisted calls from influential pro-Iranian Shiite politicians to retaliate against the ban, at a meeting held on January 29, citing Iraq’s need for US military support.
Washington last week ratcheted up pressure on Iran, putting sanctions on 13 individuals and 12 entities days after the White House put Tehran “on notice” over a ballistic missile test.
Iran’s dominant influence in Iraqi politics was eroded after Daesh routed the Iraqi army commanded then by Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, a close ally of Tehran, in 2014.
The Islamic republic has close ties with the Shiite political elite ruling Iraq while Washington is providing critical military support to Iraqi forces battling Daesh.