Iran accuses US of ‘unacceptable’ escalation

Iran yesterday accused the United States of an "unacceptable" escalation of tensions and said Tehran was showing "maximum restraint" despite Washington's withdrawal from a nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions were already high after President Donald Trump walked away from the accord a year ago. But they have been ratcheted up significantly in recent weeks with the US deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers forced to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran.

"The escalation by the United States is unacceptable," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Tokyo Thursday where he is holding talks with Japanese officials. "We exercise maximum restraint... in spite of the fact that the United States withdrew from JCPOA last May," he added, referring to the agreement on Tehran's nuclear program known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

He added that Tehran remains "committed" to the deal, and said continuing assessments showed Iran was in compliance with the multilateral agreement.

Zarif's comments came hours after the US ordered non-emergency staff evacuated from its Baghdad embassy due to an "imminent" threat from Iranian-linked Iraqi militias.

The move added to growing fears that the long-time rivals could be on course for conflict despite both sides stressing they have no desire for war. Trump, however, predicted Iran would "soon" want to negotiate and denied there was any discord in the White House over moves that critics say could lead to war in the Middle East.

"I'm sure that Iran will want to talk soon," the president tweeted. He also blasted media reports of White House turmoil,

saying "there is no infighting whatsoever. Different opinions are expressed and I make a final and decisive decision."

Opponents of Trump say hardliners led by national security advisor John Bolton, who has long advocated toppling the Iranian regime, are pushing the country into war.

Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. Senior State Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the threat came from Iraqi militia "commanded and controlled" by Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"It is directly linked to Iran, multiple threat streams directly linked to Iran," said one official. "This is an imminent threat to our personnel," said a second official.

 

Iran accuses US of unacceptable escalation

Iran yesterday accused the United States of an unacceptable escalation of tensions and said Tehran was showing maximum restraint despite Washingtons withdrawal from a nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions were already high after President Donald Trump walked away from the accord a year ago. But they have been ratcheted up significantly in recent weeks with the US deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers forced to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran. The escalation by the United States is unacceptable, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Tokyo Thursday where he is holding talks with Japanese officials. We exercise maximum restraint... in spite of the fact that the United States withdrew from JCPOA last May, he added, referring to the agreement on Tehrans nuclear program known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He added that Tehran remains committed to the deal, and said continuing assessments showed Iran was in compliance with the multilateral agreement. Zarifs comments came hours after the US ordered non-emergency staff evacuated from its Baghdad embassy due to an imminent threat from Iranian-linked Iraqi militias. The move added to growing fears that the long-time rivals could be on course for conflict despite both sides stressing they have no desire for war. Trump, however, predicted Iran would soon want to negotiate and denied there was any discord in the White House over moves that critics say could lead to war in the Middle East. Im sure that Iran will want to talk soon, the president tweeted. He also blasted media reports of White House turmoil, saying there is no infighting whatsoever. Different opinions are expressed and I make a final and decisive decision. Opponents of Trump say hardliners led by national security advisor John Bolton, who has long advocated toppling the Iranian regime, are pushing the country into war. Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. Senior State Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the threat came from Iraqi militia commanded and controlled by Tehrans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It is directly linked to Iran, multiple threat streams directly linked to Iran, said one official. This is an imminent threat to our personnel, said a second official.