Four Main Developments in the Trump-Iran Tensions
Recent Events Between Trump, Iran, DOJ, and FBI
On Tuesday, January 7, 2020, the U.S. carried out an airstrike that killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. The strike occurred near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq and was authorized by President Donald Trump. In response, Iran launched a series of missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.
The following day, President Trump announced new sanctions against Iran, targeting the country's financial sector. The sanctions are designed to cripple Iran's economy and pressure it to change its behavior.
Questions Raised in the Aftermath
The U.S.-Iran conflict has raised a number of questions, including:
- Was the airstrike that killed Soleimani legal?
- Did the strike increase the risk of war between the U.S. and Iran?
- What are the long-term implications of the conflict?
The U.S. government has maintained that the airstrike was legal, arguing that Soleimani was a terrorist who was responsible for the deaths of American soldiers. However, some legal experts have questioned the legality of the strike, arguing that it violated international law.
It is unclear whether the strike increased the risk of war between the U.S. and Iran. Some experts believe that the strike could lead to a wider conflict, while others believe that it could deter Iran from further aggression.
The long-term implications of the conflict are also unclear. It is possible that the conflict could lead to a new era of instability in the Middle East. It is also possible that the conflict could lead to a diplomatic solution and a reduction in tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Government Actions and Responses
In response to the conflict, the U.S. government has taken a number of actions, including:
- Deploying additional troops to the Middle East
- Imposing sanctions on Iran
- Calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict
The Iranian government has also taken a number of actions, including:
- Launching missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq
- Threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz
- Calling for the expulsion of U.S. forces from the Middle East
Actions From the United States Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the Iranian missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq. The DOJ is also investigating whether Iran violated U.S. sanctions by providing financial support to terrorist groups.
The FBI is investigating the cyberattacks on U.S. government websites that occurred in the wake of the Iranian missile attacks. The FBI is also investigating whether Iran was involved in the assassination of an Iranian dissident in Denmark.
The DOJ and FBI are working closely with other U.S. government agencies to investigate the Iranian threats and attacks. The agencies are also working with international partners to investigate Iran's activities.
