{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}{{short description|Period of military tensions between the US and Iran}}{{Infobox military conflict| conflict = 2019–2020 Persian Gulf crisis| partof = the [[Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict]]| image = {{Photomontage | photo1a = B52 in al udeid base may 2019.jpg | photo1b = Stena Impero 2019-07-21 02.jpg | photo2a = 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force-Iraq at FOB Union III.jpg | photo2b = IMSC Bahrain Headquarters photo, November 24, 2019.jpg | photo3a = Carcasses of MQ-4C Triton 01.jpg | photo3b = Funeral of Qasem Soleimani, Tehran, Mehr 04.jpg | position = center | size = 350 | color = #F5F5F5 | border = 1 | color_border = white | spacing = 0 | foot_montage =}}| caption = '''Clockwise from top''': A U.S. [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52H]] strategic bomber in [[Qatar]] in May 2019; A [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|NEDSA]] boat patrolling near British-flagged tanker ''Stena Impero''; Members of the [[International Maritime Security Construct]] in [[Bahrain]]; Funeral procession of [[Qasem Soleimani]] in [[Tehran]]; Alleged remnants of the U.S. [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4 Global Hawk]] drone [[2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone|shot down]] by Iran; U.S. troops man positions during the attack on the [[Embassy of the United States, Baghdad|U.S. embassy in Baghdad]]| date = 5 May 2019 – ''present''
({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=05|day1=5|year1=2019}})| place = {{plainlist|* Western [[Indian Ocean]]* [[Persian Gulf]]* [[Gulf of Oman]]* [[Strait of Hormuz]]* [[Arabian Sea]]* [[Strait of Gibraltar]]* [[Red Sea]]* [[Iraq]]* [[Tehran]]}}| status = {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = ''Ongoing'' |* Western military presence in Persian Gulf increased; formation of the American-led [[International Maritime Security Construct]]* Additional [[Sanctions against Iran|sanctions on Iran]] imposed* Death of the Iranian general [[Qasem Soleimani]]* Iranian withdrawal from the nuclear deal* [[IRGC AF]] shoots down 1 civilian airliner}}| combatant1 = '''{{flag|United States}}'''
{{flagicon image|Seal of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.svg|size=15px|border=}} '''[[Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve|CJTF–OIR]]''' {{Collapsible list | title = {{flagicon image|International_Maritime_Security_Construct_Logo_(Transparent).png}} [[International Maritime Security Construct|IMSC:]] | {{flag|United Kingdom}} | {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}{{cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-security-maritime-idUSKBN1W30DB|title=Saudi Arabia joins maritime protection mission: state news agency|date=18 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005003414/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-security-maritime-idUSKBN1W30DB|archive-date=5 October 2019|url-status=live|agency=Reuters}} | {{flag|Australia}}{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/21/australia-to-join-us-led-defence-effort-to-protect-shipping-in-the-strait-of-hormuz|title=Australia to join US military effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz|first1=Sarah|last1=Martin|first2=Ben|last2=Doherty|date=21 August 2019|work=The Guardian|accessdate=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905101634/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/21/australia-to-join-us-led-defence-effort-to-protect-shipping-in-the-strait-of-hormuz|archive-date=5 September 2019|url-status=live}} | {{UAE}}{{cite web|url = http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/09/19/UAE-joins-international-maritime-security-alliance.html|title=UAE joins international maritime security alliance|publisher=Al Arabiya|accessdate=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012205348/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/09/19/UAE-joins-international-maritime-security-alliance.html|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live}} | {{flag|Bahrain}}{{cite web|url = https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/08/19/bahrain-becomes-first-arab-nation-to-support-us-maritime-mission-in-gulf.html|title=Bahrain becomes first Arab nation to support US maritime mission in Gulf|website=The Week|accessdate=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920223407/https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/08/19/bahrain-becomes-first-arab-nation-to-support-us-maritime-mission-in-gulf.html|archive-date=20 September 2019|url-status=live}} | {{flag|Lithuania}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2125964/lithuania-joins-the-international-maritime-security-construct/|title=Lithuania Joins the International Maritime Security Construct|website=U.S. Naval Forces Central Command}} | {{flag|Albania}}{{cite web |title=U.S. Central Command welcomes Albania's participation in the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) |url=https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/2005518/us-central-command-welcomes-albanias-participation-in-the-international-maritim/ |website=U.S. Central Command |accessdate=1 November 2019 |date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101233906/https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/2005518/us-central-command-welcomes-albanias-participation-in-the-international-maritim/ |archive-date=1 November 2019 |url-status=live}} | {{flag|Kuwait}}{{cite web|url = https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/23/iran-is-already-losing/|title=Iran Is Already Losing|first=Michael|last=Tanchum|accessdate=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924125045/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/23/iran-is-already-losing/|archive-date=24 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-mulls-joining-gulf-maritime-alliance-1.66592283|title=Kuwait mulls joining Gulf maritime alliance|website=Gulf News|accessdate=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924131139/https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-mulls-joining-gulf-maritime-alliance-1.66592283|archive-date=24 September 2019|url-status=live}} | {{flag|Qatar}}{{cite web|url = https://www.forces.net/news/qatar-and-kuwait-join-new-naval-task-force-gulf|title=Qatar And Kuwait Join New Naval Task Force In Gulf|date=26 November 2019|work=Forces Network|accessdate=12 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112183608/https://www.forces.net/news/qatar-and-kuwait-join-new-naval-task-force-gulf|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/28/f-22s-deploy-qatar-first-time-amid-iran-tensions.html|title=F-22s Deploy to Qatar for the First Time Amid Iran Tensions|work=Military.com|date=28 June 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173143/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/28/f-22s-deploy-qatar-first-time-amid-iran-tensions.html|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} }} {{Collapsible list | title = '''Supported by:''' | {{flag|Japan}}
{{flag|Israel}}[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/iran-rouhani-criticises-military-build-gulf-190814155824437.html Iran's Rouhani criticises US military build-up in Gulf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913212004/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/iran-rouhani-criticises-military-build-gulf-190814155824437.html |date=13 September 2019}} "Iranian president also lambastes Israel's reported support of the US-led naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz."{{cite web|url=https://www.jns.org/israel-to-participate-in-us-operation-sentinel-in-strait-of-hormuz/|title=Israel to participate in US 'Operation Sentinel' in Strait of Hormuz|date=7 August 2019|website=JNS.org|accessdate=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823144725/https://www.jns.org/israel-to-participate-in-us-operation-sentinel-in-strait-of-hormuz/|archive-date=23 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2019/08/israel-meets-with-uae-declares-its-joining-persian-gulf-coalition/|title=Israel Meets With UAE, Declares It's Joining Persian Gulf Coalition|first=Theresa|last=Hitchens|accessdate=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821224918/https://breakingdefense.com/2019/08/israel-meets-with-uae-declares-its-joining-persian-gulf-coalition/|archive-date=21 August 2019|url-status=live}} | {{flag|Egypt}}{{cite web|url = https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190709-egypt-detains-iran-oil-tanker-arrests-6-for-espionage/|title=Egypt detains Iran oil tanker, arrests 6 for espionage|date=9 July 2019|website=Middle East Monitor|accessdate=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827164632/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190709-egypt-detains-iran-oil-tanker-arrests-6-for-espionage/|archive-date=27 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://arabcenterdc.org/policy_analyses/saudi-emirati-egyptian-alliance-steering-us-middle-east-policy/|title=Saudi-Emirati-Egyptian Alliance Steering US Middle East Policy|accessdate=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706140217/http://arabcenterdc.org/policy_analyses/saudi-emirati-egyptian-alliance-steering-us-middle-east-policy/|archive-date=6 July 2019|url-status=live}}
}}| combatant2 = '''{{flag|Iran}}'''
'''Iraqi militias'''*{{flagicon image|Popular_mobilization_forces_flag.png}} [[Popular Mobilization Forces]]{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/07/iraq-pmu-iran-abdul-mahdi-shiite-militias.html|title=Iraq orders militias to fully integrate into state security forces|first=Ali|last=Mamouri|date=2 July 2019|website=Al-Monitor|accessdate=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201194639/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/07/iraq-pmu-iran-abdul-mahdi-shiite-militias.html|archive-date=1 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/07/iraq-pmu-iraq-us-saudi.html|title=Shiite militias react angrily to decree integrating them into Iraqi forces|first=Ali|last=Mamouri|date=8 July 2019|website=Al-Monitor|accessdate=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710194750/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/07/iraq-pmu-iraq-us-saudi.html|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=live}}* {{flagicon image|Kata'ib Hezbollah flag.svg}} [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]]* [[Usbet al-Thaireen|League of Revolutionaries]]{{Cite web | url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/03/purported-new-iraqi-shia-group-claims-attacks-on-camp-taji.php |title = Purported new Iraqi Shia group claims attacks on Camp Taji | FDD's Long War Journal|date = 16 March 2020}} {{Collapsible list | title = '''Supported by:''' | {{flagicon image|Houthis emblem.svg}} [[Houthis]]{{Cite web|url = http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/04/c_138678400.htm|title=Yemeni Houthi rebels call for striking U.S. bases in retaliation for killing of Iranian commander—Xinhua | English.news.cn|website=www.xinhuanet.com}}| {{flag|Iraq}}| {{flag|Syria}} }}| commander1 = {{flagdeco|United States}} '''[[Donald Trump]]'''
{{flagicon|United States}} [[Mark Esper]]
{{flagicon|United States}} [[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.]]
{{flagicon|United States}} [[Scott A. Howell]]
{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''[[Boris Johnson]]'''
{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Ben Wallace (politician)|Ben Wallace]]
{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} '''[[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman]]'''
{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Mohammed bin Salman]]| commander2 = {{flagdeco|Iran}} '''[[Ali Khamenei]]'''
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Hassan Rouhani]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Eshaq Jahangiri]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Amir Hatami]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Mohammad Bagheri (Iranian commander)|Mohammad Bagheri]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Abdolrahim Mousavi]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Hossein Khanzadi]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Alireza Sabahifard]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Hossein Salami]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Alireza Tangsiri]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Amir-Ali Hajizadeh]]
{{flagdeco|Iran}} [[Qasem Soleimani]]{{KIA|2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike}}
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Esmail Ghaani]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Hossein Ashtari]]
{{flagicon|Iran}} Qasem Rezaee
{{flagicon image|Popular_mobilization_forces_flag.png}} [[Falih Al-Fayyadh]]
{{flagicon image|Popular_mobilization_forces_flag.png}} [[Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis]]{{KIA|2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike}}| strength1 = {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|United States}} United States | 50,000 troops{{cn|date=July 2020}} }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom | 12,000 troops{{cn|date=July 2020}} }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia | 200 personnel{{cn|date=July 2020}} }}
{{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|Japan}} Japan | 1 destroyer | 2 patrol planes{{cite web|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/japan-orders-deployment-of-navy-destroyer-to-middle-east|title=Japan Orders Deployment of Navy Destroyer to Middle East|website=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=14 January 2020|url-status=live|date=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115042010/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/japan-orders-deployment-of-navy-destroyer-to-middle-east|archive-date=15 January 2020}} }}| strength2 = {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|Iran}} Iran: | [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|NEDSA]] [[fast attack craft]]{{cn|date=July 2020}} }}| casualties1 = {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|United States}} United States: |{{nowrap|2 soldiers killed{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5801472/troops-killed-iraq/|title=At Least 2 U.S. Troops Killed in Iraq Attack: Officials|accessdate=11 March 2020 |first=|last=|date=11 March 2020 |newspaper=[[Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228041211/https://time.com/5801472/troops-killed-iraq/ |archive-date=11 March 2020 |url-status=live}}}}
1 civilian contractor [[2019 K-1 Air Base attack|killed]]{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-contractor-whose-killing-iraq-was-cited-trump-was-n1112266|title=U.S. contractor whose killing in Iraq was cited by Trump was linguist with 2 young sons|website=NBC News|date=8 January 2020}}
1 sailor dead (non-combat){{cite web|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2019/07/30/navy-confirms-death-of-sailor-overboard-on-san-diego-bound-uss-lincoln/|title=Navy Confirms Death of Sailor Overboard on San Diego-Bound USS Lincoln|website=timesofsandiego.com|accessdate=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731072831/https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2019/07/30/navy-confirms-death-of-sailor-overboard-on-san-diego-bound-uss-lincoln/|archive-date=31 July 2019|url-status=live|date=31 July 2019}}
114 soldiers injured{{cite news |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/american-defense-contractor-killed-troops-wounded-in-rocket-attack-on-base-in-kirkuk-1.612677 |title=American defense contractor killed, troops wounded in rocket attack on base in Kirkuk |accessdate=28 December 2019 |first=Chad |last=Garland |date=28 December 2019 |newspaper=[[Stripes.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228041211/https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/american-defense-contractor-killed-troops-wounded-in-rocket-attack-on-base-in-kirkuk-1.612677 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |url-status=live}}[https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/22/20/number-of-us-troops-wounded-in-iran-attack-now-at-110-pentagon Number of US troops wounded in Iran attack now at 110: Pentagon] ABS News, 22 February 2020
1 [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|Black Hawk]] helicopter destroyed{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/military-aircraft-runway-among-damage-iraqi-base-struck-iran-missiles-1481129|title=Military aircraft, runway among damage at Iraqi base struck by Iran missiles|last=LaPorta|first=James |date=8 January 2020|website=Newsweek|language=en|accessdate=9 January 2020}}
1 [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4A Global Hawk]] surveillance drone downed{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/world/middleeast/us-iran-drone.html|title=Iran Shoots Down a U.S. Drone, Escalating Tensions|last=Victor|first=Daniel|date=June 20, 2019|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 20, 2019|last2=Kirkpatrick|first2=David D.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
1 [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]] drone downed }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom: |1 soldier killed{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/11/british-american-soldiers-killed-militia-rocket-attack-base/|title=British and American soldiers killed in militia rocket attack on base in Iraq|last=Ensor|first=Josie |date=11 March 2020|newspaper=The Telegraph|language=en|accessdate=11 March 2020}} }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia: |[[2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack|Oil facilities damaged]] }}| casualties2 = {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = {{flagicon|Iran}} Iran: |5 [[IRGC|IRGC members]] [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|killed]]
19 [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|sailors]] killed,{{cite news |title=Iran navy 'friendly fire' incident kills 19 sailors in Gulf of Oman |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-52612511 |publisher=BBC News |date=11 May 2020 |accessdate=11 May 2020}}
15 injured ([[friendly fire]]){{cite web |title=Here's All That's Left Of Iranian Navy Ship Struck By Missile In Friendly Fire Tragedy |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/33395/heres-all-thats-left-of-iranian-navy-ship-struck-by-missile-in-friendly-fire-tragedy |website=The Drive |accessdate=12 May 2020}}
1-2 drones downed (U.S. claim, denied by Iran) }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = Pro-Iran Iraqi militia|5 [[Popular Mobilization Forces]] members [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|killed]]
25 [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]] members [[December 2019 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria|killed]]
60+ injured{{cite web|url=https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2058931/iraq-condemns-us-air-strikes-unacceptable-and-dangerous|title=Iraq Condemns US Air Strikes as Unacceptable and Dangerous|website=Asharq AL-awsat}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/13/iraqi-civilian-among-six-dead-us-airstrikes/|title=Iraqi civilian among six dead in US airstrikes|first1=James|last1=Rothwell|first2=Abbie|last2=Cheeseman|date=13 March 2020|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}} }}| casualties3 = {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = Tankers and ships| *{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia: 2 tankers damaged (responsibility disputed) *{{flagicon|Japan}} Japan: 1 merchant ship damaged (responsibility disputed) *{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates: 1 merchant ship damaged (responsibility disputed) *{{flagicon|Iran}} Iran: 1 tanker damaged (responsibility disputed) *{{flagicon|Iraq}} 1 Iraqi tanker seized *{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom: 1 tanker captured by Iran, later released *{{flagicon|Norway}} 2 merchant ships damaged *{{flag|Philippines}}: 1 small vessel seized, 7 crew members captured{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-idUSKCN1UU08Y|title=Iran seizes Iraqi oil tanker smuggling fuel in Gulf: TV|date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905190707/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-idUSKCN1UU08Y|archive-date=5 September 2019|url-status=live|agency=Reuters}} }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = Neutral military personnel| *{{flag|Iraq}}: 5 [[Iraqi security forces]] personnel killed
13 [[Iraqi security forces]] personnel injured }} {{Collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752|PS752 shootdown]]| *'''Total: 1 civilian aircraft shot down, 176 civilians killed''' *{{flag|Iran}} 82 *{{flag|Canada}} 63 *{{flag|Ukraine}} 11 *{{flag|Sweden}} 10 *{{flag|Afghanistan}} 7 *{{flag|United Kingdom}} 3 }}----'''Total:''' 241 killed| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox 2019–2020 Persian Gulf crisis}}{{Campaignbox Persian Gulf Wars}}}}The '''2019–2020 Persian Gulf crisis''', also known as the '''Crisis in the Gulf''' and the '''Iranian–American confrontation'''{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/indepth/opinion/arrogance-fanaticism-prospect-iranian-war-190430085736682.html|title=Arrogance, fanaticism and the prospect of a US-Iranian war|website=www.aljazeera.com|accessdate=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214103948/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/indepth/opinion/arrogance-fanaticism-prospect-iranian-war-190430085736682.html|archive-date=14 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49069083|title=Iran, tankers and the Gulf crisis explained|date=2019-08-19|accessdate=2020-01-09|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219142558/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49069083|archive-date=19 December 2019|url-status=live}}; {{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/09/16/the-attack-on-saudi-oil-facilities-raises-the-risks-of-war|title=The attack on Saudi oil facilities raises the risks of war, The attack on Saudi oil facilities raises the risks of war|work=The Economist|accessdate=2020-01-09|issn=0013-0613|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111035902/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/09/16/the-attack-on-saudi-oil-facilities-raises-the-risks-of-war|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} is an intensification of military tensions between the [[Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran]] and their allies and the [[United States|United States of America]] and their allies in the [[Persian Gulf]] region. The U.S. began a buildup of its military presence in the region to deter an alleged planned campaign by Iran and its [[Non-state actor|non-state allies]] to attack American forces and interests in the Persian Gulf and [[Iraq]]. This followed a [[Iran–United States relations#2017–present: Trump administration|rise in political tensions]] between the two countries during the [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]], which included the [[United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|withdrawal of the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]] (JCPOA), the imposition of new sanctions against Iran, and the designation of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. In response, Iran designated the [[United States Central Command]] as a [[List of designated terrorist groups|terrorist organization]].Several merchant ships in the Persian Gulf were damaged in two incidents [[May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident|in May]] and [[June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident|June 2019]]. Western nations blamed Iran, while Iran denied involvement. In June 2019, Iran [[2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone|shot down]] an American [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4A]] surveillance drone flying over the [[Strait of Hormuz]], sharply increasing tensions and nearly resulting in an armed confrontation. In July 2019, an Iranian [[oil tanker]] was [[#British and Iranian tanker seizures|seized by Britain]] in the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] on the grounds that it was shipping oil to [[Syria]] in violation of [[European Union]] sanctions. Iran later captured a British oil tanker and its crew members in the Persian Gulf.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/04/iran-seizes-oil-tanker-in-gulf-smuggling-fuel-to-arab-states|title=Iran claims it has seized third oil tanker in Gulf as tensions with US rise|first=Martin|last=Chulov|date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914050522/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/04/iran-seizes-oil-tanker-in-gulf-smuggling-fuel-to-arab-states|archive-date=14 September 2019|url-status=live|newspaper=The Guardian}}; {{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/pentagon-releases-images-gulf-oman-attack-190618055528966.html|title=US releases new images from suspected attacks on Gulf tankers|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817032851/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/pentagon-releases-images-gulf-oman-attack-190618055528966.html|archive-date=17 August 2019|url-status=live}}; {{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranian-republican-guard-seizes-foreign-oil-tanker-persian/story?id=64411931|title=Iranian Revolutionary Guard seizes foreign oil tanker in Persian Gulf: State media|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829011557/https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranian-republican-guard-seizes-foreign-oil-tanker-persian/story?id=64411931|archive-date=29 August 2019|url-status=live}} Both Iran and the UK later released the ships.{{cite news|title=UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero leaves Iranian port|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/uk-flagged-tanker-stena-impero-seized-july-leaves-iranian-port-190927062425000.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=27 September 2019|accessdate=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927201926/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/uk-flagged-tanker-stena-impero-seized-july-leaves-iranian-port-190927062425000.html|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49849718|title=Stena Impero: Seized British tanker leaves Iran's waters|first=Jonathan|last=Marcus|publisher=BBC News|date=27 September 2019|accessdate=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928010957/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49849718|archive-date=28 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/27/764934720/british-flagged-tanker-leaves-iranian-waters-after-2-months-of-detention|title=British-Flagged Tanker Leaves Iranian Waters After 2 Months Of Detention|first=James|last=Doubek|publisher=NPR|date=27 September 2019|accessdate=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927162524/https://www.npr.org/2019/09/27/764934720/british-flagged-tanker-leaves-iranian-waters-after-2-months-of-detention|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, the U.S. created the multinational [[International Maritime Security Construct]] (IMSC), which sought to increase "overall surveillance and security in key waterways in the Middle East", according to [[United States Department of Defense]].{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/08/putin-gulf-security-plan-trump-iran-uae-saudi-arabia.html|title=Putin's Gulf security plan depends on Trump|first=Week in|last=Review|date=16 August 2019|website=Al-Monitor|accessdate=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918060708/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/08/putin-gulf-security-plan-trump-iran-uae-saudi-arabia.html|archive-date=18 September 2019|url-status=live}}The crisis escalated in late 2019 and early 2020 when members of the [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]] militia, which is part of Iraq's [[Popular Mobilization Forces]], [[2019 K-1 Air Base attack|killed an American contractor in an attack on an Iraqi base hosting American personnel]]. In retaliation the U.S. conducted [[December 2019 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria|airstrikes against Kata'ib Hezbollah's facilities]] in Iraq and Syria, killing 25 militiamen. [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]] responded with an [[2019–20 attack on the United States embassy in Baghdad|attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad]], which prompted the U.S. to deploy hundreds of new troops to the Middle East and announce that it would preemptively target Iran's "[[Proxy war|proxies]]" in Iraq. Days later, the commander of IRGC's [[Quds Force]] [[Qasem Soleimani]] and PMF commander [[Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis]] were both killed [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|in a U.S. drone strike]], resulting in Iran's [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]] [[Ali Khamenei]] pledging to exact revenge on U.S. forces. The U.S. deployed nearly 4,000 troops in response to the tensions, and [[Israel]] heightened its security levels.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-blast-israel-idUSKBN1Z20HB|title=Israel defends U.S. killing of Iranian commander, puts military on alert|date=3 January 2020|work=Reuters|accessdate=5 January 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104165207/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-blast-israel-idUSKBN1Z20HB|archive-date=4 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/01/03/thousands-more-us-troops-deploying-middle-east-response-iranian-threats.html|title=Thousands More US Troops Deploying to Middle East in Response to Iranian Threats|last=Sisk|first=Richard|date=3 January 2020|website=Military.com|language=en|accessdate=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104230735/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/01/03/thousands-more-us-troops-deploying-middle-east-response-iranian-threats.html|archive-date=4 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 5{{nbsp}}January 2020, Iran ended its commitments to the [[JCPOA|nuclear deal]],{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/05/crowds-greet-soleimani-s-body-as-trump-threatens-to-attack-52-iranian-sites|title=Iran abandons nuclear deal over Soleimani killing|first=Alastair|last=Jamieson|date=5 January 2020|website=euronews|accessdate=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105120529/https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/05/crowds-greet-soleimani-s-body-as-trump-threatens-to-attack-52-iranian-sites|archive-date=5 January 2020|url-status=live}} and the [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|Iraqi parliament]] passed a resolution to expel all foreign troops from its territory.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/01/05/world/middleeast/05reuters-iraq-security-parliament-resolution.html|title=Iraqi Parliament Passes Resolution to End Foreign Troop Presence|date=5 January 2020|newspaper=The New York Times}}The U.S. and Iran nearly entered into an open conflict on 8{{nbsp}}January 2020 when the IRGC [[2020 Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Iraq|launched missile attacks]] against two Iraqi military bases housing U.S. soldiers in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani, a rare direct Iran–U.S. confrontation and the closest to the brink of war between the two nations in decades. Upon initial assessments of no U.S. casualties, the Trump administration curtailed tensions by temporarily ruling out a direct military response but announcing new sanctions.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/us-officials-knew-iranian-missiles-were-coming-hours-in-advance/2020/01/08/b6297b4c-3235-11ea-a053-dc6d944ba776_story.html|title=U.S. officials knew Iranian missiles were coming hours in advance|date=8 January 2020|work=Washington Post|accessdate=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108211949/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/us-officials-knew-iranian-missiles-were-coming-hours-in-advance/2020/01/08/b6297b4c-3235-11ea-a053-dc6d944ba776_story.html|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}} It was later revealed that more than a hundred U.S. troops sustained injuries during the attacks.{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5801472/troops-killed-iraq/|title=At Least 2 U.S. Troops Killed in Iraq Attack: Officials|accessdate=11 March 2020 |first=|last=|date=11 February 2020 |newspaper=[[Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228041211/https://time.com/5801472/troops-killed-iraq/ |archive-date=11 March 2020 |url-status=live}} During the crisis, [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752]] was shot down after departing from [[Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport]], and Western officials said the plane had been brought down by an Iranian [[SA-15]] [[surface-to-air missile]].{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/flight-752-analysts-optics-match-iranian-missile-theory-200109174123302.html|title=Flight 752: Analysts say optics match Iran missile theory|website=www.aljazeera.com|accessdate=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110085429/https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/flight-752-analysts-optics-match-iranian-missile-theory-200109174123302.html|archive-date=10 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 11 January 2020, the Iranian military admitted in a statement that they had mistakenly shot down the plane due to human error.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51073621 |title=Iran plane crash: Ukrainian jet was 'unintentionally' shot down |work=BBC News |date=11 January 2020 |accessdate=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115124448/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51073621 |archive-date=15 January 2020 |url-status=live}}== Background =={{Main|Iran–United States relations#2017–present: Trump administration}}{{See also|United States sanctions against Iran|United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|Iran Action Group}}On 8 May 2018, the United States withdrew from the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]] (JCPOA) nuclear deal, reinstating [[sanctions against Iran]].{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html|title=Trump Withdraws U.S. From 'One-Sided' Iran Nuclear Deal|date=8 May 2018|work=The New York Times|accessdate=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508181319/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html|archive-date=8 May 2018|url-status=live}} [[Petroleum industry in Iran|Iran's oil production]] hit a historic low as a result of these sanctions.{{cite news|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-s-oil-production-has-hit-historic-lows-as-saudis-take-market-share/29981437.html|title=Iran's Oil Production Has Hit Historic Lows As Saudis Take Market Share|website=Radio Farda|date=4 June 2019|accessdate=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606050335/https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-s-oil-production-has-hit-historic-lows-as-saudis-take-market-share/29981437.html|archive-date=6 June 2019|url-status=live}} According to the [[BBC News (TV channel)|BBC]] in April 2019, [[United States sanctions against Iran]] "led to a sharp downturn in [[Economy of Iran|Iran's economy]], pushing the value of its currency to record lows, quadrupling its annual inflation rate, driving away foreign investors, and triggering protests".{{cite news |title=Iran oil: US to end sanctions exemptions for major importers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48011496 |publisher=BBC News |date=22 April 2019 |accessdate=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201190246/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48011496 |archive-date=1 December 2019 |url-status=live}} Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of waging [[hybrid warfare]] against Iran.{{cite news |title=Iran's Shift to a More Offensive Posture Could Be a Sign of Weakness |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-shift-to-a-more-offensive-posture-could-be-a-sign-of-weakness |publisher=The Washington Institute |date=7 February 2019 |accessdate=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208002343/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-shift-to-a-more-offensive-posture-could-be-a-sign-of-weakness |archive-date=8 February 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=The necessity of 'effective reaction' against U.S. hybrid war |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/437255/The-necessity-of-effective-reaction-against-U-S-hybrid-war |work=Tehran Times |date=22 June 2019}}Tensions between Iran and the U.S. escalated in May 2019, with the U.S. deploying more military assets to the [[Persian Gulf]] region after receiving intelligence reports of an alleged "campaign" by Iran and its "proxies" to threaten U.S. forces and [[Strait of Hormuz]] oil shipping. U.S. officials cited intelligence reports that included photographs of missiles on [[dhow]]s and other small boats in the Persian Gulf, supposedly put there by Iranian paramilitary forces. The U.S. feared the missiles could be fired at its [[United States Navy|Navy]].{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/16/world/middleeast/iran-tensions-explainer.html|title=The Tension Between America and Iran, Explained|date=16 May 2019|work=The New York Times|accessdate=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525195300/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/16/world/middleeast/iran-tensions-explainer.html|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/a-timeline-of-the-recent-us-iran-standoff-26699|title=A timeline of the recent US-Iran standoff|date=16 May 2019|work=TRT World|accessdate=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525202040/https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/a-timeline-of-the-recent-us-iran-standoff-26699|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-of-how-trump-administration-got-into-a-showdown-with-iran-2019-5#the-trump-administration-has-taken-a-hardline-stance-against-iran-from-the-beginning-and-defied-us-allies-by-withdrawing-from-the-iran-nuclear-deal-in-keeping-with-this-stance-trump-recently-designated-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-a-foreign-terror-group-22|title=How the Trump administration got into a showdown with Iran that could lead to war|date=25 May 2019|work=Business Insider|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173155/https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-of-how-trump-administration-got-into-a-showdown-with-iran-2019-5#the-trump-administration-has-taken-a-hardline-stance-against-iran-from-the-beginning-and-defied-us-allies-by-withdrawing-from-the-iran-nuclear-deal-in-keeping-with-this-stance-trump-recently-designated-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-a-foreign-terror-group-22|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}== Belligerents ===== Iran and allies ==={{Further|Axis of Resistance|Shia crescent}}The U.S. began a buildup of its military presence in the region to deter what it regards as a planned campaign of belligerency by Iran and its [[Non-state actor|non-state allies]] to attack American forces and interests in the gulf and [[Iraq]]. [[Popular Mobilization Forces|PMF]] and [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]] were targeted by U.S. airstrikes, claiming their proxy belligerent role on the orders of Iran. In June 2019, Iran [[2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone|shot down]] an American [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4A]] surveillance drone, sharply increasing tensions and nearly resulting in an armed confrontation.=== International Maritime Security Construct ==={{Main|International Maritime Security Construct}}{{See also|Arab–American relations}}[[File:International Maritime Security Construct Logo (Transparent).png|thumb|Logo of the International Maritime Security Construct]]The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), formerly known as ''Operation Sentinel'' or the ''Sentinel Program'', is a multinational maritime effort established by the U.S. to ensure gulf security following Iranian seizures of commercial tankers.Following Iran's [[2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone|shoot-down]] of a U.S. surveillance drone on 20 June 2019, the U.S. bolstered its efforts to establish a coalition to deter Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pompeo-seeks-support-from-allies-to-monitor-persian-gulf-amid-tensions-with-iran/2019/06/24/cfa953e0-969e-11e9-8d0a-5edd7e2025b1_story.html|title=Pompeo seeks support from allies to monitor Persian Gulf region amid tensions with Iran|date=24 June 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|work=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906212701/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pompeo-seeks-support-from-allies-to-monitor-persian-gulf-amid-tensions-with-iran/2019/06/24/cfa953e0-969e-11e9-8d0a-5edd7e2025b1_story.html|archive-date=6 September 2019|url-status=live}} On 19 July, [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]] acknowledged what it called Operation Sentinel which had the stated goal of de-escalating tensions and promoting maritime stability in international waters "throughout the [[Persian Gulf]], [[Strait of Hormuz]], the [[Bab el-Mandeb]] Strait (BAM) and the [[Gulf of Oman]]". Sentinel called for participating nations to provide escorts to their flagged commercial vessels in the region and for coordinating surveillance capabilities.{{cite web|url=https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/1911282/us-central-command-statement-on-operation-sentinel/|title=U.S. Central Command Statement on Operation Sentinel|date=19 July 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004154253/https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/1911282/us-central-command-statement-on-operation-sentinel/|archive-date=4 October 2019|url-status=live}} U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Mark Esper]] later commented on the nature of the operation, stating "My view is{{nbsp}}... we would want to prevent the Iranians seizing or stopping a ship, certainly, for any arbitrary reason whatsoever".{{cite news|url=https://www.defense.gov/explore/story/Article/1915650/esper-operation-sentinel-prevents-escalation-of-middle-east-waterways-conflict/|date=24 July 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|title=Esper: Operation Sentinel Prevents Escalation of Middle East Waterways Conflict|work=U.S. Department of Defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920224618/https://www.defense.gov/explore/story/Article/1915650/esper-operation-sentinel-prevents-escalation-of-middle-east-waterways-conflict/|archive-date=20 September 2019|url-status=live}} Some U.S. allies, particularly European allies, were reportedly reticent towards the Sentinel Program due to qualms associated with signing on to a U.S.-led naval effort that could potentially drag them into a confrontation with Iran; this was coupled with reports of a potential European-led naval security effort separate from the U.S. By September 2019, the U.S. had "rebranded" Operation Sentinel as the "International Maritime Security Construct", reportedly to attract more participation.{{cite news|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/05/uk-us-persian-gulf-1448151|title=U.S.-led Gulf maritime coalition 'rebranded' to attract more countries|date=5 August 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922092538/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/05/uk-us-persian-gulf-1448151|archive-date=22 September 2019|url-status=live}}In early August 2019, the United Kingdom agreed to join the U.S. in its maritime program, abandoning the idea of a European-led naval protection force.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/uk-caught-in-middle-of-us-power-play-with-iran |title=UK caught in middle of US power play with Iran |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 August 2019 |accessdate=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815193005/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/uk-caught-in-middle-of-us-power-play-with-iran |archive-date=15 August 2019 |url-status=live}} On 21 August, [[Australia]] announced it would join the U.S.-led naval coalition, with plans to deploy a [[P-8A Poseidon]] surveillance aircraft to the Middle East for one month before the end of 2019, a [[frigate]] in January 2020 for six months, and [[Australian Defence Forces]] personnel to the IMSC headquarters in [[Bahrain]].{{cite news|url=https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/maritime-security/australia-joins-international-maritime-security-construct-in-the-gulf/|title=Australia Joins International Maritime Security Construct in the Gulf|date=22 August 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921003341/https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/maritime-security/australia-joins-international-maritime-security-construct-in-the-gulf/|archive-date=21 September 2019|url-status=live}}On 16 September, IMSC members held a Main Planning Conference aboard {{RFAux|Cardigan Bay|L3009|6}} along with representatives from 25 additional countries where they reaffirmed commitments to the operation and discussed their efforts to enhance maritime security throughout key waterways in the region.{{cite news|url=https://defpost.com/international-maritime-security-construct-main-planning-conference-concludes-aboard-rfa-cardigan-bay/|date=19 September 2019|accessdate=25 September 2019|title=International Maritime Security Construct Main Planning Conference Concludes Aboard RFA Cardigan Bay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925213628/https://defpost.com/international-maritime-security-construct-main-planning-conference-concludes-aboard-rfa-cardigan-bay/|archive-date=25 September 2019|url-status=live}} [[Saudi Arabia]] joined the coalition on 18 September and the [[United Arab Emirates]] joined on 20 September.{{cite news|url=https://www.janes.com/article/91396/saudi-arabia-joins-maritime-security-mission|title=Saudi Arabia joins maritime security mission|date=18 September 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920141115/https://www.janes.com/article/91396/saudi-arabia-joins-maritime-security-mission|archive-date=20 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2019/09/20/uae-joins-naval-security-coalition-in-the-gulf/|title=UAE joins naval security coalition in the Gulf|last=Dortch|first=Jaleah|date=20 September 2019|website=Defense News|accessdate=3 January 2020}}In November 2019, [[Albania]] became the seventh nation to join the IMSC. Lithuania joined the coalition in March 2020.{{Cite web | url=https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2125964/lithuania-joins-the-international-maritime-security-construct/ |title = Lithuania Joins the International Maritime Security Construct}}==== Member countries ====[[File:International_Maritime_Security_Construct_map.svg|thumb|Members of the [[International Maritime Security Construct]]]]* {{flagu|United Kingdom}} (Leader)* {{flagu|Bahrain}} (Headquarters)* {{flagu|United States}}* {{flagu|Australia}}* {{flagu|Saudi Arabia}}* {{flagu|United Arab Emirates}}* {{flagu|Albania}}{{cite web|url=https://www.albaniandailynews.com/index.php?mod=2&idm=36822|title=Sailing Freedom, Albania Joins IMSC|website=[[Albanian Daily News]]|url-status=live|accessdate=3 January 2020}}* {{flagu|Lithuania}}==== Allies and supporters ====On 6 August 2019, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel)|Israeli Foreign Minister]] [[Israel Katz]] reportedly said [[Israel]] would participate in the coalition, providing intelligence and other unspecified assistance.{{cite news|url=https://www.jns.org/israel-to-participate-in-us-operation-sentinel-in-strait-of-hormuz/|title=Israel to participate in US 'Operation Sentinel' in Strait of Hormuz|date=7 August 2019|accessdate=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823144725/https://www.jns.org/israel-to-participate-in-us-operation-sentinel-in-strait-of-hormuz/|archive-date=23 August 2019|url-status=live}}[[Japan]] announced on 18 October 2019 that it would not join the IMSC but would instead send its own separate [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force|naval assets]] to the region to guard merchant vessels "related to Japan" while still closely cooperating with the U.S. A senior Japanese official said the contingency would likely include warships and aircraft that will patrol the Gulf of Oman, the Northern Arabian Sea and other regional waters.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-japan-ships/japan-wont-join-u-s-coalition-to-protect-middle-east-shipping-will-send-own-force-idUSKBN1WX0TQ|title=Japan won't join U.S. coalition to protect Middle East shipping, will send own force|date=18 October 2019|agency=Reuters|accessdate=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018221256/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-japan-ships/japan-wont-join-u-s-coalition-to-protect-middle-east-shipping-will-send-own-force-idUSKBN1WX0TQ|archive-date=18 October 2019|url-status=live}} In February 2020, as part of efforts by the Japanese government to protect the lanes that provide all the oil the Japanese economy depends on, a Japanese warship departed for the Gulf of Oman.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-japan-idUSKBN1ZW02D|title=Japanese warship departs for Gulf to patrol oil lifeline|date=2020-02-02|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-02-04|language=en}}[[Kuwait]] and [[Qatar]] expressed the intention to join in November 2019.{{Cite web | url=https://www.forces.net/news/qatar-and-kuwait-join-new-naval-task-force-gulf | title=Qatar and Kuwait Join New Naval Task Force in Gulf | accessdate=12 January 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112183608/https://www.forces.net/news/qatar-and-kuwait-join-new-naval-task-force-gulf | archive-date=12 January 2020 | url-status=live}}On 21 January 2020, Ministry of National Defense of [[Republic of Korea]] officially announced that they will expand the operation area of [[Cheonghae Unit]], which is the South Korean naval forces in [[Gulf of Aden]], about 3,900 km, to the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf to prevent{{clarify|date=May 2020}} Korean people, ships and stable oil transport instead of joining the [[International Maritime Security Construct|IMSC]].{{Cite news|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/01/22/2020012200284.html|title=연합군에 참여 않고 호르무즈 독자 파병|date=2020-01-21|language=ko}}== Timeline ===== May 2019 ===On 5 May 2019, then-[[National Security Advisor (United States)|U.S. National Security Advisor]] [[John R. Bolton|John Bolton]] announced that the U.S. was deploying the {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} [[carrier strike group]] and four [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52 bombers]] to the Middle East to "send a clear and unmistakable message" to Iran following [[Mossad|Israeli intelligence]] reports of an alleged Iranian plot to attack U.S. forces in the region. Bolton said, "The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack."{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/us-navy-deploys-strike-group-to-iran-bolton-1e5b9298-f807-4db2-a4e7-ddd9f308db36.html|title=Bolton: U.S. sending Navy strike group to Iran to send "clear message"|date=6 May 2019|work=Axios|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513175602/https://www.axios.com/us-navy-deploys-strike-group-to-iran-bolton-1e5b9298-f807-4db2-a4e7-ddd9f308db36.html|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/israel-warned-trump-of-possible-iran-plot-bolton-34f25563-c3f3-41ee-a653-9d96b4541984.html|title=Israel passed White House intelligence on possible Iran plot|date=6 May 2019|work=Axios|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516023940/https://www.axios.com/israel-warned-trump-of-possible-iran-plot-bolton-34f25563-c3f3-41ee-a653-9d96b4541984.html|archive-date=16 May 2019|url-status=live}} The [[USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)|USS ''Abraham Lincoln'']] was deployed to the [[Arabian Sea]], outside the Persian Gulf.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-uss-abraham-lincoln-isnt-sailing-into-persian-gulf-2019-6|title=Here's why the US aircraft carrier sent to confront Iran isn't sailing up to its doorstep|last=Pickrell|first=Ryan|website=Business Insider|accessdate=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604234349/https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-uss-abraham-lincoln-isnt-sailing-into-persian-gulf-2019-6|archive-date=4 June 2019|url-status=live|date=5 June 2019}}On 7 May, U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] made a surprise midnight visit to [[Baghdad]] after canceling a meeting with [[Chancellor of Germany|German Chancellor]] [[Angela Merkel]]. Pompeo told Iraqi President [[Barham Salih]] and Prime Minister [[Adel Abdul Mahdi]] they had a responsibility to protect Americans in Iraq. On 8{{nbsp}}May, an advisor to Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] said Iran was confident the U.S. was both unwilling and unable to start a war with Iran. On the same day, Iran announced that it would reduce its commitment to the JCPOA nuclear deal which the U.S. had withdrawn from. Iranian President [[Hassan Rouhani]] set a 60-day deadline for the EU and world powers to rescue the current deal before it resumed higher uranium enrichment. The [[United States Air Forces Central Command]] announced that [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15C Eagle]] fighter jets were repositioned within the region to "defend U.S. forces and interests in the region".{{cite web|url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/1843765/eagles-move-as-part-of-dynamic-force-deployment/|title=Eagles move as part of dynamic force deployment|date=8 May 2019|publisher=U.S. Air Forces Central Command|accessdate=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525190641/https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/1843765/eagles-move-as-part-of-dynamic-force-deployment/|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}} On 10 May, the U.S. deployed the [[Amphibious transport dock|Marine transport ship]] {{USS|Arlington|LPD-24|6}} and a [[MIM-104 Patriot|Patriot]] [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM) battery to the Middle East. [[The Pentagon]] said the buildup was in response to "heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations".{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/10/pentagon-marines-patriot-missiles-added-force-confronting-iran/1169210001/|title=Pentagon bolsters force in Middle East with Marines and missiles to confront Iran|date=10 May 2019|work=USA Today|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173154/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/10/pentagon-marines-patriot-missiles-added-force-confronting-iran/1169210001/|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}==== May 2019 Gulf of Oman ship attacks ===={{Main|May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident}}On 12 May, four commercial ships, including two [[Saudi Aramco]] oil tankers, were damaged near the port of [[Fujairah]] in the [[Gulf of Oman]].{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48245204|title=Oil tankers 'sabotaged' amid tensions|date=13 May 2019|accessdate=14 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514004203/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48245204|archive-date=14 May 2019|url-status=live}} The [[United Arab Emirates]] (UAE) claimed the incident was a "sabotage attack", while a U.S. assessment reportedly blamed Iran or Iranian "proxy" elements for the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27992/u-s-government-claims-iran-is-behind-attacks-on-oil-tankers-but-has-yet-to-show-evidence|title=U.S. Government Claims Iran Is Behind Attacks On Oil Tankers, But Has Yet To Show Evidence|date=14 May 2019|work=The Drive|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173154/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27992/u-s-government-claims-iran-is-behind-attacks-on-oil-tankers-but-has-yet-to-show-evidence|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}On 13 May, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad said U.S. citizens should not travel to Iraq and for those who were already there to keep a low profile. On the same day, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Acting U.S. Defense Secretary [[Patrick M. Shanahan|Patrick Shanahan]] had presented a military plan to send as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East if Iran attacked American forces or took steps toward developing nuclear weapons. U.S. president [[Donald Trump]] later discredited this, saying he would instead "send a hell of a lot more" than 120,000 troops if necessary.{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-hed-send-more-than-120000-troops-to-fight-iran-2019-5|title=Trump says he'd send 'a hell of a lot more' than 120,000 troops to fight Iran if it came to that|date=14 May 2019|work=Business Insider|accessdate=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525190644/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-hed-send-more-than-120000-troops-to-fight-iran-2019-5|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}On 14 May, both Iranian and U.S. officials said they were not seeking war, even as threats and counter-threats continued. Ayatollah Khamenei downplayed the escalation, saying in comments carried on state television that "no war is going to happen," while Mike Pompeo said while on a visit to Russia, "We fundamentally do not seek a war with Iran." On the same day, [[Houthi]] rebels—which have alleged ties to Iranian elements—in [[Yemen]] carried out multiple drone attacks on a Saudi oil pipeline deep in Saudi territory. The U.S. said it believed Iran sponsored the attack, though it was unclear if the attack was particularly related to the Iran–U.S. tensions or related to the [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|Yemeni Civil War]] that began in 2015 and the U.S.-backed [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen|Saudi Arabian-led intervention]] there.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/world/middleeast/saudi-oil-attack.html|title=Yemen's Houthi Rebels Attack Saudi Oil Facilities, Escalating Tensions in Gulf|date=14 May 2019|work=The New York Times|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725063240/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/world/middleeast/saudi-oil-attack.html|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live}} On 15 May, the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] announced that all non-emergency staff had been ordered to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/15/us-orders-non-essential-embassy-staff-to-leave-iraq/|title=US orders non-essential embassy staff to leave Iraq|first=Bob|last=Fredericks|date=15 May 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173153/https://nypost.com/2019/05/15/us-orders-non-essential-embassy-staff-to-leave-iraq/|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}On 19 May, Trump warned that in the event of a conflict, it would be "the official end of Iran".{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/19/trump-warns-iran-not-to-threaten-the-us-that-will-be-the-official-end-of-iran.html|title=Trump warns Iran not to fight the US: 'That will be the official end of Iran'|date=19 May 2019|publisher=CNBC|accessdate=20 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520010247/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/19/trump-warns-iran-not-to-threaten-the-us-that-will-be-the-official-end-of-iran.html|archive-date=20 May 2019|url-status=live}} [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Iranian Foreign Minister]] [[Mohammad Javad Zarif]] responded that Trump's "genocidal taunts" would not "end Iran".{{cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/2019/05/20/498069/tehran-says-trumps-genocidal-taunts-wont-end-iran/|title=Tehran says Trump's 'genocidal taunts won't end Iran'|date=20 May 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173152/https://www.brecorder.com/2019/05/20/498069/tehran-says-trumps-genocidal-taunts-wont-end-iran/|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} On the same day, a rocket exploded inside the heavily fortified [[Green Zone]] sector of Baghdad, landing less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/890156f1ffc1457ba97acd598753be94|title=Rocket attack hits near US Embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone|first1=Qassim|last1=Abdul-Zahra|first2=Bassem|last2=Mroue|date=19 May 2019|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173152/https://apnews.com/890156f1ffc1457ba97acd598753be94|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} On 24 May, the U.S. deployed 1,500 additional troops to the Persian Gulf region as a "protective" measure against Iran. The deployment included reconnaissance aircraft, fighter jets and engineers; 600 of the troops were given extended deployments, meaning 900 would be fresh troops.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/us-orders-troops-middle-east-counter-iran-threat-201533911.html|title=US orders new troops to Middle East to counter Iran 'threat'|date=25 May 2019|publisher=Yahoo! News|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601181218/https://news.yahoo.com/us-orders-troops-middle-east-counter-iran-threat-201533911.html|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live}} U.S. Navy vice admiral and [[Director of the Joint Staff]] [[Michael M. Gilday|Michael Gilday]] said the U.S. had a high degree of confidence that Iran's Revolutionary Guard was responsible for the 12 May explosions on four tankers and that it was Iranian proxies in Iraq who fired rockets into Baghdad's Green Zone.{{cite news|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/u-s-blames-iran-for-attack-on-tankers-iraq-rockets/29961741.html|title=U.S. Blames Iran For Attack On Tankers, Iraq Rockets|date=24 May 2019|work=[[Radio Farda]]|accessdate=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525202039/https://en.radiofarda.com/a/u-s-blames-iran-for-attack-on-tankers-iraq-rockets/29961741.html|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}On 20 May, Trump said: "We have no indication that anything's happened or will happen" in Iran.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-theres-no-indication-of-threatening-actions-by-iran/2019/05/20/da37bad6-7b4b-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html|title=Trump says there's 'no indication' of threatening actions by Iran|last1=Sonmez|first1=Felicia|website=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524070610/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-theres-no-indication-of-threatening-actions-by-iran/2019/05/20/da37bad6-7b4b-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}} However, on 25 May, Trump invoked a rarely used legal loophole to approve the sale of $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, declaring that ongoing tensions with Iran amounted to a national emergency. Weapons would also reportedly be sold to the UAE and Jordan.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48404923|title=Trump approves $8bn Saudi weapons sale over Iran tensions|date=25 May 2019|publisher=BBC|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173151/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48404923|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} On 28 May, the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] certified that Iran was abiding by the main terms of the JCPOA, although questions were raised on how many advanced centrifuges Iran was allowed to have, as that was only loosely defined in the deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-iaea/iran-stays-within-nuclear-deals-main-limits-while-testing-another-idUSKCN1T11PW|title=Iran Stays Within Nuclear Deal's Main Limits While Testing Another|last=Murphy|first=Francois|agency=[[Reuters]]|accessdate=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531194141/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-iaea/iran-stays-within-nuclear-deals-main-limits-while-testing-another-idUSKCN1T11PW|archive-date=31 May 2019|url-status=live|date=31 May 2019}}=== June 2019 ===[[File:US Navy 050619-N-8146B-004 The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) prepares to launch Australian S70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters during flight operations.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Boxer|LHD-4|6}}, seen here off the coast of Australia, was deployed to the Persian Gulf in June 2019 as a result of increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran.{{cite news|url=https://news.usni.org/2019/06/24/more-u-s-navy-personnel-deployed-to-middle-east-than-anywhere-else|title=More U.S. Navy Personnel Deployed to Middle East Than Anywhere Else|website=USNI News|date=24 June 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173150/https://news.usni.org/2019/06/24/more-u-s-navy-personnel-deployed-to-middle-east-than-anywhere-else|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}]]On 1 June, President Hassan Rouhani suggested Iran would be willing to hold talks but asserted that it would not be pressured by sanctions and American military posturing. On 2{{nbsp}}June, Mike Pompeo said the U.S. was ready for unconditional discussions with Iran on its nuclear program, but affirmed that it would not relent on pressuring Iran until it starts behaving like a "normal country". "We are prepared to engage in a conversation with no pre-conditions. We are ready to sit down," Pompeo said, while also saying Trump had always been willing to seek dialogue with Iranian leadership. Iran's foreign ministry responded stating, "The Islamic Republic of Iran does not pay attention to word-play and expression of hidden agenda in new forms. What matters is the change of U.S. general approach and actual behavior toward the Iranian nation," which it said needed "reform".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-switzerland/us-prepared-to-talk-to-iran-without-pre-conditions-iran-sees-word-play-idUSKCN1T30DT|title=U.S. prepared to talk to Iran without 'pre-conditions', Iran sees 'word-play'|date=2 June 2019 |agency=Reuters|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173151/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-switzerland/us-prepared-to-talk-to-iran-without-pre-conditions-iran-sees-word-play-idUSKCN1T30DT|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} The softening dialogue came amid U.S. military exercises in the Arabian Sea, which saw various aircraft "simulating strike operations"; [[Yahya Rahim Safavi]], top military aide to Ayatollah Khamenei, said U.S. military vessels in the Persian Gulf were within range of Iranian missiles and warned that any clash between the two countries would push oil prices above $100 a barrel.{{cite news|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1505401/middle-east|title=US flexes military muscle in Arabian Sea but open to 'no preconditions' Iran talks|date=2 June 2019|work=Arab News|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173150/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1505401/middle-east|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}On 6 June, the Houthis in Yemen shot down an American [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]] (Predator B) drone. The U.S. military claimed the attack was performed with Iranian assistance.{{cite news |title=U.S. blames Iran for helping Houthi rebels shoot down drone in Yemen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-usa-drone/us-blames-iran-for-helping-houthi-rebels-shoot-down-drone-in-yemen-idUSKCN1TH0LA |agency=Reuters |accessdate=28 July 2019 |date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728153857/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-usa-drone/us-blames-iran-for-helping-houthi-rebels-shoot-down-drone-in-yemen-idUSKCN1TH0LA |archive-date=28 July 2019 |url-status=live}} [[USCENTCOM|U.S. Central Command]] commander [[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.]] warned that Iran and its "proxy" forces still posed an "imminent" threat to U.S. forces: "I think we're still in the period of what I would call tactical warning{{nbsp}}... The threat is very real."{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/u-s-commander-says-american-forces-face-imminent-threat-iran-n1014556 |title=U.S. commander says American forces face 'imminent' threat from Iran|date=6 June 2019|publisher=NBC News|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173150/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/u-s-commander-says-american-forces-face-imminent-threat-iran-n1014556|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}Also on 6 June, the UAE, supported by [[Norway]] and Saudi Arabia, told the [[United Nations Security Council]] the 12 May attacks had the marks of a "sophisticated and coordinated operation", and were most likely performed by a "state actor". Video of the damage to the tankers ''Amjad'', ''Al Marzoqah'', ''A Michel'' and ''Andrea Victory'' was released to broadcasters.{{cite news |title=U.A.E. says 'sophisticated' tanker attacks likely the work of 'state actor' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/uae-tanker-attacks-report-un-security-council-1.5165841 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=6 June 2019 |accessdate=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616054819/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/uae-tanker-attacks-report-un-security-council-1.5165841 |archive-date=16 June 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=UAE tells U.N. 'state actor' was behind oil tanker attacks |url=https://mobile.reuters.com/video/2019/06/07/uae-tells-un-state-actor-was-behind-oil?videoId=559740495&videoChannel=1 |agency=Reuters |date=7 June 2019}}==== June 2019 Gulf of Oman ship attacks ===={{Main|June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident}}On 13 June 2019 two oil tankers caught fire after allegedly being attacked by [[limpet mine]]s or flying objects in another incident in the Gulf of Oman. As in the May incident, the U.S. blamed Iranian forces for the attacks. On 17 June, the U.S. announced the deployment of 1,000 more soldiers to the Middle East.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48671319|title=Gulf crisis: US sends more troops amid tanker tension with Iran|date=18 June 2019|publisher=BBC|accessdate=20 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619180343/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48671319|archive-date=19 June 2019|url-status=live}}==== Sanctions and Iranian shoot-down of U.S. drone ===={{Main|2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone}}[[file:Disputing_about_location_of_shooting_down_a_RQ-9_drone.jpg|thumb|left|Disputed locations of the {{nowrap|RQ-9}} drone's downing by the IRGC on 20 June 2019]]Tensions reached a new high when, on 20 June, the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] shot down a U.S. [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4A Global Hawk]] surveillance drone, saying the drone had violated Iranian [[airspace]]. IRGC commander [[Hossein Salami]] called the shoot-down a "clear message" to the U.S. while also warning that, though they were not seeking war, Iran was "completely ready" for it. U.S. Central Command later confirmed that the drone was shot down by Iranian surface-to-air missiles but denied that it violated Iranian airspace, calling it an "unprovoked attack", and that it was in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/iran-shoots-american-drone-international-airspace-us-official/story?id=63825990|publisher=ABC News|title=Iran says it's 'completely ready for war' after US military confirms it shot down American drone|date=20 June 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173149/https://abcnews.go.com/International/iran-shoots-american-drone-international-airspace-us-official/story?id=63825990|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} Iran and the U.S. provided conflicting [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] coordinates for the drone's location, making it unclear whether the drone was within Iran's [[Airspace#Horizontal boundary|12-mile territorial boundary]].{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/us/politics/drone-shot-down-iran-us.html|title=What We Know About Iran Shooting Down a U.S. Drone|first=Helene|last=Cooper|date=20 June 2019|work=The New York Times|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722165441/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/us/politics/drone-shot-down-iran-us.html|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}} The U.S. requested a 24 June closed-door [[United Nations Security Council]] meeting to address the regional tensions with Iran, according to diplomats.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/233648-us-requests-un-security-council-meeting-iran|date=22 June 2019|title=U.S. requests UN Security Council meeting on Iran—diplomats|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173149/https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/233648-us-requests-un-security-council-meeting-iran|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}Trump ordered a retaliatory military strike on Iran on 20 June, but withdrew the order minutes before the operation began. Trump said he had decided to halt the operation after being told that as many as 150 Iranians would be killed, although some administration officials said Trump had been advised of the potential casualties before he ordered the operation to be prepared.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/trump-ordered-attack-on-iran-for-downing-drone-then-called-it-off/2019/06/21/24f4994e-93f3-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html|title='We were cocked & loaded': Trump's account of Iran attack plan facing scrutiny|website=The Washington Post|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722174151/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/trump-ordered-attack-on-iran-for-downing-drone-then-called-it-off/2019/06/21/24f4994e-93f3-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}} Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton reportedly objected to the reversal.{{cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Crowley |first3=Michael |last4=Haberman |first4=Maggie |title=Trump Approves Strikes on Iran, but Then Abruptly Pulls Back |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/world/middleeast/iran-us-drone.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=21 June 2019 |date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702022552/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/world/middleeast/iran-us-drone.html |archive-date=2 July 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Margolin |first1=Josh |last2=Santucci |first2=John |last3=Faulders |first3=Katherine |title=President Trump ordered military strike on Iran, but reversed at last second: Sources |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trump-ordered-military-strike-iran-reversed-sources/story?id=63853570 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |accessdate=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702060757/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trump-ordered-military-strike-iran-reversed-sources/story?id=63853570 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |url-status=live}}On 22 June, it was reported that Trump had approved cyber attacks that disabled IRGC computer systems used to control rocket and missile launches the night of the drone-downing. The cyber strikes were handled by [[U.S. Cyber Command]] in conjunction with U.S. Central Command. It represented the first offensive show of force since Cyber Command was elevated to a full [[combatant command]] in May 2018. Also on 22 June, the U.S. [[Department of Homeland Security]] issued a warning to U.S. industries that Iran was stepping up cyber attacks of critical industries—particularly oil, gas and other energy sectors—and government agencies, and has the potential to disrupt or destroy systems.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/with-trumps-approval-pentagon-launched-cyber-strikes-against-iran/2019/06/22/250d3740-950d-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html|title=Trump approved cyber-strikes against Iran's missile systems|date=22 June 2019|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723034922/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/with-trumps-approval-pentagon-launched-cyber-strikes-against-iran/2019/06/22/250d3740-950d-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html|archive-date=23 July 2019|url-status=live}}On 23 June, Iranian President Rouhani blamed the United States' "interventionist military presence" for the high tensions. Iranian [[Major General]] [[Gholam Ali Rashid]] warned the U.S. of "uncontrollable" consequences should a conflict break out. Meanwhile, during a speech in [[Israel]], U.S. security advisor John Bolton said Iran should not "mistake U.S. prudence and discretion for weakness", emphasizing that future military options are not ruled out and that Trump had only stopped the strike from going forward "at this time".{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/70b05b546fe444f384fcf3bca2b83492|title=The Latest: Bolton says US 'prudence' on Iran isn't weakness |agency=Associated Press|date=23 June 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173147/https://www.apnews.com/70b05b546fe444f384fcf3bca2b83492|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/us-security-adviser-bolton-in-israel-tells-iran-prudence-is-not-weakness/a-49317858|title=US security adviser Bolton in Israel tells Iran 'prudence' is not 'weakness'|work=[[DW News]]|date=23 June 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624222644/https://www.dw.com/en/us-security-adviser-bolton-in-israel-tells-iran-prudence-is-not-weakness/a-49317858|archive-date=24 June 2019|url-status=live}} Mike Pompeo visited the Persian Gulf region for talks with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in a bid to build a coalition to combat perceived Iranian nuclear and "terror" ambitions.{{cite news|publisher=CNBC|title=US secretary of state seeks global coalition in the Middle East against Iran amid rising tensions|date=23 June 2019|accessdate=24 June 2019|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/24/us-iran-tensions-pompeo-seeks-global-coalition-in-middle-east.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624021401/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/24/us-iran-tensions-pompeo-seeks-global-coalition-in-middle-east.html|archive-date=24 June 2019|url-status=live}}On 24 June, the Trump administration announced new sanctions against Iranian government and IRGC leadership, including [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]] Khamenei and his [[Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran|office]].{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-new-iran-sanctions-order-2019-06-24-live-updates/|title=Trump issues "hard-hitting" Iran sanctions|date=24 June 2019|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627044842/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-new-iran-sanctions-order-2019-06-24-live-updates/|archive-date=27 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-imposing-sanctions-respect-iran/|publisher=White House.gov|date=24 June 2019|title=Executive Order on Imposing Sanctions with Respect to Iran|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723051856/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-imposing-sanctions-respect-iran/|archive-date=23 July 2019|url-status=live}} [[U.S. Treasury Secretary]] [[Steven Mnuchin]] said the sanctions were to block "billions" in assets.{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190624-latest-sanctions-iran-will-block-billions-assets-us|title=Latest sanctions on Iran will block 'billions' in assets: US|publisher=[[France 24]]|date=24 June 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624184825/https://www.france24.com/en/20190624-latest-sanctions-iran-will-block-billions-assets-us|archive-date=24 June 2019|url-status=live}} On the same day, Trump told reporters he did not need congressional consent for an initial strike on Iran.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/450117-trump-i-do-not-need-congressional-approval-to-strike-iran|title=EXCLUSIVE: Trump: I do not need congressional approval to strike Iran|first=Regina|last=Zilbermints|date=24 June 2019|website=TheHill|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173144/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/450117-trump-i-do-not-need-congressional-approval-to-strike-iran|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} On 25 June, Iran said the new sanctions prompted a "permanent closure" of their diplomatic ties, and the regime refused to negotiate with Washington until the sanctions were lifted.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-permanent-closure-diplomacy-could-nudge-trump-closer-to-war-2019-6?r=US&IR=T|title=Iran's refusal to negotiate under new sanctions could push Trump closer to his hawkish advisors, and nudge the US towards full-on war|accessdate=25 June 2019|work=Business Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173144/https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-permanent-closure-diplomacy-could-nudge-trump-closer-to-war-2019-6?r=US&IR=T|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} On 27 June, Javad Zarif [[tweeted]] that sanctions are not an "alternative to war; they ARE war" and argued that Trump's usage of the term "obliteration" against Iran is a reference to [[genocide]], a war crime. He also said negotiations and threats are "mutually exclusive" and called the concept of only a short war with Iran an "illusion".{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iranian-FM-Sanctions-arent-alternative-to-war-they-are-war-593900|title=Iranian FM: Sanctions aren't alternative to war, they are war|date=27 June 2019|work=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173143/https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iranian-FM-Sanctions-arent-alternative-to-war-they-are-war-593900|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}In classified briefings, Pompeo and other [[U.S. State Department]] and Pentagon officials reportedly advised members of the [[U.S. Congress]] on what they described as alarming ties between Iran and [[al-Qaeda]]—including giving the terrorist organization safe haven in the country. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that lawmakers were leery of assertions of Iranian links to al-Qaeda, notably due to concerns that the administration may be using specious assertions to build a case for military action against Iran based on the 2001 [[Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists]]—supposed links between [[Saddam Hussein]] and al-Qaeda were used as partial justification to invade Iraq in 2003.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/us/politics/us-iran.html|title=Iran Has Ties to Al Qaeda, Trump Officials Tell Skeptical Congress|first1=Edward|last1=Wong|first2=Catie|last2=Edmondson|date=19 June 2019|work=The New York Times|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723161717/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/us/politics/us-iran.html|archive-date=23 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/06/24/u-s-intelligence-undercuts-trump-case-on-iran-al-qaeda-links/|title=U.S. Intelligence Undercuts Trump's Case on Iran-al Qaeda Links|first=Michael|last=Hirsh|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173145/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/06/24/u-s-intelligence-undercuts-trump-case-on-iran-al-qaeda-links/|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}} On 27 June, [[Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense]] [[Michael Patrick Mulroy|Michael Mulroy]] sharply denied that Pentagon officials linked al-Qaeda to Iran during congressional meetings. "In these briefings, none of the officials mentioned al-Qa'ida or the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force," Mulroy said, adding that he and the [[Defense Intelligence Agency]] instead "described the historical ties between Iran and the Taliban, and I explained that these ties are widely and publicly known and referenced in articles and books".{{cite news|url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2019/06/pentagon-official-we-didnt-link-iran-al-qaeda-hill-briefings/158082/?oref=d-river|work=Defense One|title=Pentagon Official: We Didn't Link Iran to al-Qaeda In Hill Briefings|date=27 June 2019|accessdate=30 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173145/https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2019/06/pentagon-official-we-didnt-link-iran-al-qaeda-hill-briefings/158082/?oref=d-river|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}Following the drone shoot-down, the U.S. continued unabated to deploy military assets to the region. By 28 June, the U.S. had deployed nearly a dozen [[F-22 Raptor]] fighter jets to [[Al Udeid Air Base]] in [[Qatar]]—the first ever deployment of F-22s to the base—to "defend American forces and interests".{{cite news|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/28/f-22s-deploy-qatar-first-time-amid-iran-tensions.html|date=28 June 2019|title=F-22s Deploy to Qatar for the First Time Amid Iran Tensions|work=Military.com|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173143/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/28/f-22s-deploy-qatar-first-time-amid-iran-tensions.html|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}=== July 2019 ======= Alleged U.S. downing of Iranian drones ===={{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/07/19/601318/Iran-drone-footage-USS-Boxer Video captured by an IRGC drone from USS Boxer, 18 July, 2019]}}On 18 July, according to [[the Pentagon]], {{USS|Boxer|LHD-4|6}} took defensive action against an Iranian drone that had closed in within approximately {{convert|1,000|yd|m}} of the ship in the Persian Gulf; U.S. forces jammed the drone, causing it to crash. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister [[Abbas Araghchi]] denied any of the country's drones had been brought down.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-says-u-s-navy-ship-shot-down-iranian-drone-n1031451|title=U.S. Marines jam an Iranian drone in the Gulf, destroying it|publisher=NBC News|date=18 July 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723000307/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-says-u-s-navy-ship-shot-down-iranian-drone-n1031451|archive-date=23 July 2019|url-status=live}} U.S. General [[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.]], commander of the U.S. Central Command, subsequently claimed that USS ''Boxer'' may have downed a second Iranian drone.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-may-have-downed-more-than-one-iranian-drone-last-week-top-general-says/|title=US may have downed more than one Iranian drone last week, top general says|website=The Times of Israel|accessdate=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724165300/https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-may-have-downed-more-than-one-iranian-drone-last-week-top-general-says/|archive-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live}}==== British and Iranian tanker seizures ====[[File:HMS Montrose, a Type 23 Frigate, performed a series of tight turns, during Marstrike 05. MOD 45145955.jpg|thumb|According to the British Royal Navy, {{HMS|Montrose|F236|6}}, seen here in 2005, foiled an attempted Iranian seizure of a British oil tanker while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz on 11 July 2019. Nine days later a British-flagged tanker ''Stena Impero'' was seized in a raid by IRGC forces.]]On 3 July, [[Gibraltar]] enacted "Sanctions Regulations 2019"{{cite web |title=Sanctions Regulations 2019 (LN.2019/131) |url=https://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2019s131.pdf |publisher=Gibraltar |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804134503/https://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2019s131.pdf |archivedate=4 August 2019 |date=3 July 2019}}{{cite web |title=Grace 1—Gibraltar passes new law to seize ship and exposes "British" tankers to reciprocal action by Iran |url=https://tathamlaw.com/knowledge/boarding-of-the-grace-1-exposes-british-tankers-to-action-by-iran/ |website=Tatham Law |date=9 July 2019 |accessdate=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925195635/https://tathamlaw.com/knowledge/boarding-of-the-grace-1-exposes-british-tankers-to-action-by-iran/ |archive-date=25 September 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Gibraltar sanctions laws & Grace 1 designation |url=https://www.europeansanctions.com/2019/07/gibraltar-sanctions-laws-grace-1-designation/ |website=EU Sanctions |date=8 July 2019 |accessdate=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916125140/https://www.europeansanctions.com/2019/07/gibraltar-sanctions-laws-grace-1-designation/ |archive-date=16 September 2019 |url-status=live}} after the March 2019 Sanctions Act,{{cite web |url=http://www.gfiu.gov.gi/uploads/UcjV5_Financial_Sanctions_Guidance_Notes_v1.0.pdf |title=Financial Sanctions Guidance Notes |work=e Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU) |accessdate=7 January 2020 |date=11 April 2019 |page=41}} referring to the [[Syria–European Union relations|EU sanctions for Syria]] (EU No. 36/2012).{{cite web |title=Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1501504331770&uri=CELEX:32012R0036%20 |publisher=EU Council |date=18 January 2012}} It also specified the Panama-flagged Iranian tanker ''Grace{{nbsp}}1'' as a ship under those regulations.{{cite web |title=Specified Ship Notice 2019 (LN.2019/132) |url=https://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2019s132.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804134501/https://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2019s132.pdf |archivedate=4 August 2019 |url-status=dead |date=3 July 2019 |accessdate=15 September 2019}} On 4{{nbsp}}July, the ship was seized by British authorities while carrying out an off-port limited logistics stop in Gibraltar, on suspicion that the vessel was carrying oil to Syria in breach of [[European Union]] sanctions. A force of 30 [[42 Commando#Recent history|Royal Marines boarded]] the ship from a helicopter and speedboat, accompanied by [[Royal Gibraltar Police]] officers and [[Her Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar)|HM Customs Gibraltar]] officers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48865030 |title=Oil tanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar |work=BBC News |date=4 July 2019 |accessdate=9 July 2019}} Four of the ship's crew, including the captain and chief officer, were arrested but subsequently released on bail without charge.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-arrests-idUSKCN1U71S9|title=Gibraltar police release all crew members of detained Iranian tanker|date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715090534/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-arrests-idUSKCN1U71S9|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live|agency=Reuters}} Iran demanded the ship's release and denied the vessel was violating sanctions, and an official of the IRGC issued a threat to seize a British ship in retaliation.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/iran-threatens-to-seize-uk-ship-over-gibraltar-incident/a-49493999|title=Iran threatens to seize UK ship over Gibraltar incident | 05.07.2019|website=DW.COM|accessdate=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725054915/https://www.dw.com/en/iran-threatens-to-seize-uk-ship-over-gibraltar-incident/a-49493999|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-tanker-gibraltar-idUSKCN1UE16I|title=Gibraltar extends detention of Iranian tanker for a month|date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725054920/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-tanker-gibraltar-idUSKCN1UE16I|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live|agency=Reuters}} Ayatollah Khamenei described the incident as a British act of "piracy" which has been given a "legal appearance".{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Concern grows over oil tanker last seen off Iran |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/16/concern-grows-over-uae-based-oil-tanker-off-iran |website=The Guardian |accessdate=25 July 2019 |date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724175316/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/16/concern-grows-over-uae-based-oil-tanker-off-iran |archive-date=24 July 2019 |url-status=live}} Britain offered to release the ship in exchange for an Iranian guarantee that it would not proceed to the Syrian port of [[Baniyas]] to deliver oil to the refinery there. On 11 July, the [[Royal Navy]] frigate {{HMS|Montrose|F236|6}} foiled an Iranian attempt to capture the [[BP]]-owned British oil tanker ''British Heritage'' as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz. Three boats believed to be from the IRGC approached the tanker and tried to halt it, after which HMS ''Montrose'', which had been shadowing the tanker, moved between the boats and the tanker and trained guns on the boats, warning them to back off. The Iranian boats then turned away.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48946051|title=Iranian boats 'tried to intercept British tanker'|date=11 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724223417/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48946051|archive-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live|publisher=BBC News}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/11/iranian-boats-harass-british-oil-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz|title=Iranian boats 'attempted to impede' British oil tanker in strait of Hormuz|first1=Bethan|last1=McKernan|first2=Middle East|last2=correspondent|first3=and|last3=agencies|date=11 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725193227/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/11/iranian-boats-harass-british-oil-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live|newspaper=The Guardian}} The Royal Navy subsequently deployed the destroyer {{HMS|Duncan|D37|6}} to the Persian Gulf to reinforce HMS ''Montrose''.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/uk-deploys-destroyer-to-arabian-gulf-as-iran-tensions-heighten-1.885498|title=UK deploys destroyer to Arabian Gulf as Iran tensions heighten|website=The National|accessdate=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718061852/https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/uk-deploys-destroyer-to-arabian-gulf-as-iran-tensions-heighten-1.885498|archive-date=18 July 2019|url-status=live}}On 14 July, a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker, MT ''Riah'', which was operating in the UAE, disappeared from ship tracking maps near Iran after crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Adding to the mystery, no entity claimed ownership of the tanker.{{cite web |title=Oil tanker last seen near Iranian territory missing as Tehran vows "response" to seizure of its own ship |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-oil-tanker-riah-missing-persian-gulf-iranians-vow-response-united-kingdom-seizing-grace-1-2019-07-16/ |publisher=CBS News |accessdate=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723230617/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-oil-tanker-riah-missing-persian-gulf-iranians-vow-response-united-kingdom-seizing-grace-1-2019-07-16/ |archive-date=23 July 2019 |url-status=live}}On 20 July, the British-flagged tanker ''Stena Impero'' was seized in a raid by IRGC forces. Four small boats and a helicopter stopped the ship and Iranian commandos [[Abseiling|rappelled]] on board from the helicopter. The ship was taken to [[Bandar Abbas]] and its crew of 23 detained on board. On 4{{nbsp}}September, Iran decided to free only seven crew members of the detained British tanker.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-tanker-idUSKCN1VP0P6 |title=Iran to release seven crew members of detained British tanker |date=4 September 2019 |agency=Reuters |accessdate=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904080010/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-tanker-idUSKCN1VP0P6 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |url-status=live}} A second British-owned and Liberian-flagged ship was also seized but later allowed to continue its journey.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49053383|title=Iran seizes British tanker in Strait of Hormuz|date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725072959/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49053383|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live|publisher=BBC News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-releases-footage-of-commando-raid-on-seized-british-flagged-tanker/|title=Iran releases footage of commando raid on seized British-flagged tanker|website=The Times of Israel|accessdate=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724203355/https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-releases-footage-of-commando-raid-on-seized-british-flagged-tanker/|archive-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-stena-impero-oil-tanker-crew-awkward-video-2019-7|title=Iran releases awkward video purporting to show seized British tanker crew cooking on board 3 days after they were captured|first=Alexandra|last=Ma|website=Business Insider|accessdate=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725071955/https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-stena-impero-oil-tanker-crew-awkward-video-2019-7|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live|date=23 July 2019}} In a letter to the UN, Iran said the ''Stena Impero'' had collided with and damaged an Iranian vessel, and ignored warnings by Iranian authorities.{{cite news|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/148051/Iran-pens-letter-to-UN-to-clarify-on-seizure-of-UK-oil-tanker|title=Iran pens letter to UN to clarify on seizure of UK oil tanker|date=24 July 2019|agency=Mehr News Agency|accessdate=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725172740/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/148051/Iran-pens-letter-to-UN-to-clarify-on-seizure-of-UK-oil-tanker|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en/S/2019/593 |title=Letter dated 23 July 2019 from the Chargé d' affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |id=S/2019/593 |publisher=United Nations Security Council |date=23 July 2019 |accessdate=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816104042/https://undocs.org/pdf%3Fsymbol%3Den/S/2019/593 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |url-status=live}}The ship's seizure sparked a diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom and Iran. The British government condemned the seizure of the ship and demanded its release, warning of "serious consequences".{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-uk-warns-of-serious-consequences-if-british-tanker-is-not-released-strait-of-hormuz-2019-07-20/|title=U.K. warns Iran of "serious consequences" if tanker isn't released|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725032335/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-uk-warns-of-serious-consequences-if-british-tanker-is-not-released-strait-of-hormuz-2019-07-20/|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live}} Iraqi Prime Minister [[Adil Abdul-Mahdi]] visited Iran to negotiate the release of ''Stena Impero'' at the request of the British government. Iran confirmed that it seized the ship as retaliation over the British seizure of ''Grace{{nbsp}}1'' in Gibraltar and hinted that it would be willing to release ''Stena Impero'' in exchange for the release of ''Grace{{nbsp}}1''.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/24/iran-hints-at-ship-swap-with-uk-amid-de-escalation-efforts|title=Iran hints at ship swap with UK amid de-escalation efforts|first=Patrick |last=Wintour |date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725054913/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/24/iran-hints-at-ship-swap-with-uk-amid-de-escalation-efforts|archive-date=25 July 2019|url-status=live|newspaper=The Guardian}}On 31 July, the United States sanctioned the Iranian Foreign Minister [[Mohammad Javad Zarif]], complicating the chances of a diplomatic resolution of the crisis.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-sanctions-irans-top-diplomat-making-peace-less-likely-2019-7|title=Trump is sanctioning Iran's top diplomat and it will likely make it harder to avoid military conflict|first=John|last=Haltiwanger|website=Business Insider|accessdate=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801135340/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-sanctions-irans-top-diplomat-making-peace-less-likely-2019-7|archive-date=1 August 2019|url-status=live|date=31 July 2019}}=== August 2019: Seizure of Iraqi tanker and ''Grace 1'' controversy ===On 4 August 2019, Iran's [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] seized an Iraqi tanker for allegedly smuggling oil to other Arab countries. The seven crew members on board were detained, further heightening tensions in the Persian Gulf.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Three days later, Britain joined the U.S.-led [[International Maritime Security Construct]] (IMSC)—then known as the "Sentinel Program"—to protect oil tankers in the gulf and surrounding seas.On 15 August, Gibraltar released ''Grace 1'' after receiving assurances the oil would not be sold to an EU-sanctioned entity,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/13/difficult-see-iran-breached-syria-oil-sale-agreement-gibraltar/ |title='Difficult to see' if Iran breached Syria oil sale agreement, Gibraltar chief minister says |last=Ensor |first=Josie |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 September 2019 |accessdate=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916154745/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/13/difficult-see-iran-breached-syria-oil-sale-agreement-gibraltar/ |archive-date=16 September 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0008bjw |title=Today 13/09/2019 |last=Picardo |first=Fabian |author-link=Fabian Picardo |work=Today |publisher=BBC Radio 4 |time=1h:52m:57s |date=13 September 2019 |accessdate=16 September 2019 |quote=Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo: We did not have an undertaking that the oil would not end up in Syria. We had an undertaking from the Iranian government that they would not sell the oil to any EU sanctioned entity, that means not just Syria, it means even entities, some of them in Iran and subject to EU sanctions. Now what we have heard from the Iranian ambassador is that the National Iranian Oil Company, who are the ones who asserted ownership of the vessel and the oil, did not in fact sell the oil or indeed the vessel to any sanctioned EU entity{{nbsp}}... [the oil] has ended up in Syria, but that is not to say that there has been a breach of the undertaking. Those too we need to look at in terms of substance but we need to look at in terms of form also{{nbsp}}... It wasn't the court that made the decision, it was the Government of Gibraltar{{nbsp}}... because I was required under the regulations to despecify the vessel and therefore the court injunction fell away, and the reason I was required to despecify the vessel{{nbsp}}... was that the only reason we had to continue the detention of the vessel was whilst we had the suspicion that it was going to be sold to an EU sanctioned entity. Once we had a written undertaking from a state recognised by the United Nations, in a note verbale provided to us directly, that the oil was not going to be provided to an EU sanctioned entity we actually had no jurisdiction to keep it.}} and after rejecting a request from the [[United States Department of Justice]] to allow them to seize the ship.{{cite web | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-asks-gibraltar-to-stop-release-of-iranian-tanker-11565861907 | title=Gibraltar Releases Iranian Tanker Despite U.S. Intervention | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=15 August 2019 | accessdate=18 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818004629/https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-asks-gibraltar-to-stop-release-of-iranian-tanker-11565861907 | archive-date=18 August 2019 | url-status=live}} The Iranian government later said it had issued no assurances that the oil would not be delivered to Syria and reasserted its intention to continue supplying oil to the Arab nation.{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190817-iran-denies-giving-guarantees-to-divert-seized-tankers-destination/|title=Iran denies giving guarantees to divert seized tanker's destination|date=17 August 2019|website=Middle East Monitor|accessdate=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819005254/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190817-iran-denies-giving-guarantees-to-divert-seized-tankers-destination/|archive-date=19 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/37a7280f-df4c-42c8-9b4b-9d7ae38613cb|title=Iran says it will continue to send oil to Syria as supertanker's release nears|last=Kurdistan24|website=Kurdistan24|accessdate=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819005253/https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/37a7280f-df4c-42c8-9b4b-9d7ae38613cb|archive-date=19 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980525000482|title=Iran Dismisses Rumors about Giving Commitments to UK|date=16 August 2019|website=en.farsnews.com|accessdate=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816175433/https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980525000482|archive-date=16 August 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-s-ambassador-to-uk-says-tehran-has-given-no-guarantees-to-free-tanker/30111907.html|title=Iran's Ambassador To UK Says Tehran Has Given No Guarantees To Free Tanker|website=RFE/RL|accessdate=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819005250/https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-s-ambassador-to-uk-says-tehran-has-given-no-guarantees-to-free-tanker/30111907.html|archive-date=19 August 2019|url-status=live}} On 16 August, the Department of Justice issued a warrant in [[Washington, D.C.]] to seize ''Grace{{nbsp}}1'', the cargo of oil, and $995,000 on the grounds that the profit from the ship's voyage was intended to enrich the IRGC, which the U.S. had previously designated a terrorist organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-unseals-warrant-to-seize-iranian-oil-tanker-in-gibraltar-11566041324 | title=U.S. Issues Warrant to Seize Iranian Oil Tanker in Gibraltar | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=17 August 2019 | accessdate=18 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817212723/https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-unseals-warrant-to-seize-iranian-oil-tanker-in-gibraltar-11566041324 | archive-date=17 August 2019 | url-status=live}} On 18 August, Gibraltar announced that its Justice Ministry had rejected the U.S. warrant, as U.S. sanctions against Iran did not apply in the European Union, and the ship, renamed ''Adrian Darya{{nbsp}}1'' and registered under the Iranian flag, was expected to sail imminently from Gibraltar.{{cite web | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gibraltar-rejects-u-s-attempt-to-detain-iranian-tanker-11566135620 | title=Gibraltar Rejects U.S. Attempt to Detain Iranian Tanker | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=18 August 2019 | accessdate=18 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818151029/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gibraltar-rejects-u-s-attempt-to-detain-iranian-tanker-11566135620 | archive-date=18 August 2019 | url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49389592 |title=Iran tanker row: Gibraltar rejects US request to detain ship |publisher=BBC News |date=18 August 2019 |accessdate=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821225759/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49389592 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |url-status=live}}After releasing the ship, the U.S. [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] sanctioned the tanker and its captain and inputted them in the blacklist.[https://www.yjc.ir/en/news/43421/us-blacklists-iranian-operated-adrian-darya-1-sanctions-captain US blacklists Iranian-operated Adrian Darya 1, sanctions captain] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905091845/https://www.yjc.ir/en/news/43421/us-blacklists-iranian-operated-adrian-darya-1-sanctions-captain |date=5 September 2019}} ''Young Hournalists Club'' Some days later, [[Brian Hook]], the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, sent emails to the Indian captain of the ship and offered some million dollars in U.S. cash to steer the ''Adrian Darya{{nbsp}}1'' to a country where it could be seized by U.S. forces; but he rejected these offers.[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/offered-millions-cash-captain-iranian-tanker-190905053120447.html US offered millions in cash to captain of Iranian tanker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905091846/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/offered-millions-cash-captain-iranian-tanker-190905053120447.html |date=5 September 2019}} Al Jazeera=== September 2019: Saudi Aramco attacks and release of ''Stena Impero'' ===On 3 September, Iran announced that the oil tanker ''Adrian Darya{{nbsp}}1'' had delivered its cargo, defying U.S. threats. Satellite imagery had shown the tanker near Syria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49628123|title=Iranian tanker row: Oil 'sold' in defiance of US threats|date=8 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911154234/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49628123|archive-date=11 September 2019|url-status=live|publisher=BBC News}} On 9{{nbsp}}September, Britain's foreign minister accused Iran of selling the oil that was carried in ''Adrian Darya{{nbsp}}1'' to [[Bashar al-Assad|Assad]]'s regime.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-idUSKCN1VV1XN|title=Britain accuses Iran of selling Adrian Darya 1 tanker oil to Syria|date=10 September 2019|agency=Reuters|accessdate=11 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911084802/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-idUSKCN1VV1XN|archive-date=11 September 2019|url-status=live}} Iran said the oil had been sold to a private company which is not an EU-sanctioned entity, so its assurance to Gibraltar had technically not been breached.{{cite news |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/440139/Gibraltar-Chief-Minister-says-Iran-has-not-breached-law |title=Gibraltar Chief Minister says Iran has not breached law |website=Tehran Times |date=14 September 2019 |accessdate=16 September 2019}}On 14 September, the [[2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack]] took place—a coordinated [[cruise missile]] and drone attack that targeted the [[national oil company|state-owned]] [[Saudi Aramco]] oil processing facilities at [[Abqaiq]] and [[Khurais]] in eastern [[Saudi Arabia]]. The [[Houthi movement]] in [[Yemen]] claimed responsibility, tying it to events surrounding the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen|Saudi Arabian intervention]] in the [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|Yemeni Civil War]]. However, claims made by some U.S. officials that the attacks originated in Iran, despite Iran's denial, further escalated the current gulf crisis.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49733558|title=Saudi oil attack drones launched in Iran—US officials|date=17 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917162602/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49733558|archive-date=17 September 2019|url-status=live|publisher=BBC News}}On 16 September, the IRGC seized another vessel near Iran's [[Greater and Lesser Tunbs|Greater Tunb]] island in the Persian Gulf. It was reported that the vessel was allegedly [[smuggling]] 250,000 litres of diesel fuel to the UAE.{{cite web|url=http://holabuzz.com/index.php/news/116984/World+News/september-16-2019/Iran+seizes+vessel+%27smuggling+diesel+fuel%27+to+UAE|title=Iran seizes vessel 'smuggling diesel fuel' to UAE|accessdate=16 September 2019|website=Hola Buzz}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}On 23 September, the Iranian president criticized the IMSC, the new U.S.-led maritime coalition set to patrol the region's waterways, and asked the western powers to leave the security of the Persian Gulf to them.{{cite web|url=https://www.villagenews.com/story/2019/09/26/national/iran-asks-west-to-leave-persian-gulf-as-tensions-heightened/57693.html|title=Iran asks West to leave Persian Gulf as tensions heightened|accessdate=27 September 2019|website=Village News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001050956/https://www.villagenews.com/story/2019/09/26/national/iran-asks-west-to-leave-persian-gulf-as-tensions-heightened/57693.html|archive-date=1 October 2019|url-status=live}}On 27 September, the British oil tanker ''Stena Impero'' departed from Iranian waters after around two months in Iranian detention. The remainder of the ship's 23 crew members who were detained in Iran were released as well,{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/british-tanker-seized-july-leaves-iranian-port|title=British Tanker Seized in July Leaves Iranian Port|publisher=Voice of America, Reuters|date=27 September 2019|accessdate=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927211433/https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/british-tanker-seized-july-leaves-iranian-port|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/world/middleeast/iran-uk-oil-tanker-stena-impero.html|title=British-Flagged Tanker Leaves Iran, Two Months After It Was Seized|work=The New York Times|date=27 September 2019|accessdate=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927062005/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/world/middleeast/iran-uk-oil-tanker-stena-impero.html|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=live}} with seven crew members already released on 4{{nbsp}}September.{{cite web|url=https://www.thevoicefm.co.uk/news/world-news/iran-to-free-seven-out-of-23-crew-members-from-detained-british-flagged-ship-stena-impero/|title=Iran to free seven out of 23 crew members from detained British-flagged ship Stena Impero|date=4 September 2019|accessdate=4 September 2019|website=The Voice}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} On 28 September, ''Stena Impero'', which was also able to transmit signals, docked at [[Port Rashid]], [[Dubai]].{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker/british-tanker-docks-in-dubai-after-detention-by-iran-idUSKBN1WD0AZ|title=British tanker docks in Dubai after detention by Iran|agency=Reuters|date=28 September 2019|accessdate=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928190557/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker/british-tanker-docks-in-dubai-after-detention-by-iran-idUSKBN1WD0AZ|archive-date=28 September 2019|url-status=live}} The same day, HMS ''Duncan'' returned to her homeport, [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth naval base]].{{cite news|url=https://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/royal-navy-destroyer-returns-from-defending-british-shipping-in-hormuz-strait-11364398417702|title=Royal Navy destroyer returns from defending British shipping in Hormuz Strait|publisher=BT Group|date=28 September 2019|accessdate=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928191342/https://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/royal-navy-destroyer-returns-from-defending-british-shipping-in-hormuz-strait-11364398417702|archive-date=28 September 2019|url-status=live}}=== November 2019: IMSC launches operations ===On 7 November 2019, [[International Maritime Security Construct]] (IMSC) launched official operations in [[Bahrain]] to protect the shipping lanes near the troubled Iranian territorial waters. The coalition opened its command center in the kingdom, to ward off the perceived threat to the global oil supply amid the crisis.{{cite web|url=https://gotechdaily.com/us-led-coalition-launches-procedure-to-secure-gulf-waters/|title=US-led coalition launches procedure to secure Gulf waters|accessdate=7 November 2019|website=GO Tech Daily|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111093016/https://gotechdaily.com/us-led-coalition-launches-procedure-to-secure-gulf-waters/|archive-date=11 November 2019|url-status=dead}}=== December 2019: U.S. airstrikes on Iraqi militia and attack on Baghdad embassy ==={{Main|2019 K-1 Air Base attack|December 2019 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria|Attack on the United States embassy in Baghdad}}In early December, the Pentagon considered sending reinforcements to the Middle East to deal with escalating tensions due to attacks against international shipping through the Persian Gulf, a missile strike against a Saudi oil facility, violent crackdown of [[2019–20 Iranian protests|protests in Iran]], and heightened Iranian activities in the region. The number of people dead in Iranian demonstrations remained disputed, though Iran had not released any official estimates. U.S. special representative for Iran [[Brian Hook]] announced that his country was offering $15 million for information concerning the whereabouts of [[Abdul Reza Shahlai|Abdul Reza Shahalai]], a senior Iranian commander accused of orchestrating numerous attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and a foiled attempt to assassinate the [[List of ambassadors of Saudi Arabia to the United States|Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States]].{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/f169ac2c8750cd07a1654be90b76387c|title=US considers sending several thousand more troops to Mideast|last=Lee|first=Matthew|date=5 December 2019|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=3 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209152018/https://apnews.com/f169ac2c8750cd07a1654be90b76387c|archive-date=9 December 2019}}On 27 December, Iran, [[Russia]], and [[China]] began a four-day naval exercise in the [[Indian Ocean]] and the [[Gulf of Oman]].{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/27/asia/china-russia-iran-military-drills-intl-hnk/index.html|title=China, Russia and Iran hold joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman|author1=Ben Westcott|author2=Hamdi Alkhshali|website=CNN|accessdate=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108223707/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/27/asia/china-russia-iran-military-drills-intl-hnk/index.html|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}} The exercise was launched from [[Chabahar Port]] near Pakistan, and included the Chinese [[Type 051 destroyer]] ''Xining''. The [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian Defense Ministry]] confirmed it had deployed ships from the [[Baltic Fleet]] in its official newspaper ''[[Krasnaya Zvezda]]''.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-russia-china-idUSKBN1YV0IB|title=Russia, China, Iran start joint naval drills in Indian Ocean|date=2019-12-27|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-01-12|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112205439/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-russia-china-idUSKBN1YV0IB|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} According to Iranian government and military officials over its state news channel [[Press TV]], the exercise was a response to U.S.–Saudi regional maneuvers and was meant to demonstrate that Iran was not isolated despite U.S. sanctions.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/d4837be91b07721428230a5addc00a9d|title=Report: Iran kicks off joint naval drills with Russia, China|date=2019-12-27|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=2020-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112205442/https://apnews.com/d4837be91b07721428230a5addc00a9d|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} In contrast, the spokesman of the [[Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Ministry of National Defense]], Senior Colonel [[Wu Qian (military officer)|Wu Qian]], claimed the exercise was a "normal military exchange" unconnected to the international tensions.[[File:Marines arrive to reinforce Baghdad embassy.jpg|thumb|U.S. Marines arrive in [[Baghdad]] to reinforce the embassy, 31 December 2019]]Also on 27 December, [[K-1 Air Base]] in Iraq's [[Kirkuk Governorate]] was attacked with [[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha rockets]], injuring several [[Iraqi security forces|Iraqi Security Forces]] personnel, four U.S. soldiers, and killing a U.S. civilian military contractor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/us/politics/american-rocket-attack-iraq.html|title=American Contractor Killed in Rocket Attack in Iraq|last=Barnes|first=Julian E.|date=2019-12-27|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2020-01-12|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112191832/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/us/politics/american-rocket-attack-iraq.html|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] condemned the attacks, blaming Iranian-backed [[Shia Islam|Shi'ite Muslim]] militias.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-civilian-contractor-killed-troops-injured-rocket-attack/story?id=67949811|title=US civilian contractor killed, several troops injured in rocket attack on Iraqi military base|website=ABC News|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111040826/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-civilian-contractor-killed-troops-injured-rocket-attack/story?id=67949811|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 29 December, U.S. airstrikes targeted [[Kata'ib Hezbollah|Kata'ib Hizbollah]] facilities in Iraq and Syria killing 25 militants and injuring at least 55 others. The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] said the operation was in retaliation for repeated attacks on Iraqi military bases hosting [[Operation Inherent Resolve]] (OIR) coalition forces, particularly the K-1 Air Base attack. About 5,000 U.S. troops were present in Iraq to deal with [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] remnants and to assist the Iraqi military.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2047960/statement-from-assistant-to-the-secretary-of-defense-jonathan-hoffman/|title=Statement From Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Jonathan Hoffman|website=U.S. Department of Defense|accessdate=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231225556/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2047960/statement-from-assistant-to-the-secretary-of-defense-jonathan-hoffman/|archive-date=31 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html|title=In major escalation, American strike kills top Iranian commander in Baghdad|last=Salim|first=Mustafa|date=3 January 2020|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=3 January 2020|url-status=live|last2=Ryan|first2=Missy|department=National Security|last3=Sly|first3=Liz|last4=Hudson|first4=John|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103000442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html|archive-date=3 January 2020}} Kata'ib Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attacks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/world/middleeast/iraq-airstrikes-us-iran-militias.html|title=American Airstrikes Rally Iraqis Against U.S.|first1=Alissa J.|last1=Rubin|first2=Ben|last2=Hubbard|date=30 December 2019|accessdate=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101214538/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/world/middleeast/iraq-airstrikes-us-iran-militias.html|archive-date=1 January 2020|url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times}}On 31 December, Iran-backed militiamen under the [[Popular Mobilization Forces]] attacked the outer perimeter of the U.S. Embassy in [[Baghdad]], prompting American diplomats to evacuate to safe rooms. The militiamen later withdrew. An additional 100 U.S. Marines were sent to reinforce the embassy.=== January 2020 ======= Baghdad Airport strike and reduced Iranian JCPOA commitments ===={{Main|Assassination of Qasem Soleimani}}[[File:Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes & Qasem Soleimani01.jpg|thumb|Iranian major general [[Qasem Soleimani]] (left) and Iraqi paramilitary leader [[Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis]] were among those killed.]]A major flashpoint in the crisis occurred on 3{{nbsp}}January 2020, when President [[Donald Trump]] approved the [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|targeted killing]] of Iranian Major General [[Qasem Soleimani]] in [[Baghdad]]. Iraqi paramilitary leader [[Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis]] and other IRGC and Iraqi paramilitary personnel were also killed in the drone attack.{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/01/pentagon-officials-reportedly-stunned-trump-kill-soleimani.html |title=Pentagon Officials Reportedly "Stunned" by Trump's Decision to Kill Soleimani |first=Daniel |last=Politi |date=5 January 2020 |work=Slate Magazine |accessdate=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106233309/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/01/pentagon-officials-reportedly-stunned-trump-kill-soleimani.html |archive-date=6 January 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-trump-decision-to-kill-soleimani-20200105-we7fksvu25farhbbb2wkwv3zfm-story.html |title=As tensions with Iran escalated, Trump opted for an extreme measure. Pentagon officials were stunned |first1=Helene |last1=Cooper |first2=Eric |last2=Schmitt |first3=Maggie |last3=Haberman |first4=Mukmini |last4=Callimachi |newspaper=The New York Times via via Chicago Tribune |date=4 January 2020 |accessdate=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106063343/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-trump-decision-to-kill-soleimani-20200105-we7fksvu25farhbbb2wkwv3zfm-story.html |archive-date=6 January 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/887689/pompeo-pence-reportedly-pushed-trump-kill-soleimani-pentagon-leaders-stunned-trump-agreed |title=Pompeo and Pence reportedly pushed Trump to kill Soleimani. Pentagon leaders were 'stunned' Trump agreed |work=The Week |date=6 January 2020 |accessdate=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107001210/https://theweek.com/speedreads/887689/pompeo-pence-reportedly-pushed-trump-kill-soleimani-pentagon-leaders-stunned-trump-agreed |archive-date=7 January 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/how-trump-decided-to-kill-a-top-iranian-general/2020/01/03/77ce3cc4-2e62-11ea-bcd4-24597950008f_story.html |title=How Trump decided to kill a top Iranian general |newspaper=Washington Post |first1=Missy |last1=Ryan |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |first3=Dan |last3=Lamothe |first4=John |last4=Hudson |date=3 January 2020 |accessdate=7 January 2020 |quote=Why Trump chose this moment to explore an operation against the leader of Iran's Quds Force, after tolerating Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf for months, was a matter of debate within his own administration. Officials gave differing and incomplete accounts of the intelligence they said prompted Trump to act. Some said they were stunned by his decision, which could lead to war with one of America's oldest adversaries in the Middle East. "It was tremendously bold and even surprised many of us," said a senior administration official with knowledge of high-level discussions among Trump and his advisers, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106175924/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/how-trump-decided-to-kill-a-top-iranian-general/2020/01/03/77ce3cc4-2e62-11ea-bcd4-24597950008f_story.html |archive-date=6 January 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/world/middleeast/qassem-soleimani-iraq-iran-attack.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103022034/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/world/middleeast/qassem-soleimani-iraq-iran-attack.html |date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=3 January 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|title=U.S. Strike in Iraq Kills Qassim Suleimani, Commander of Iranian Forces |quote=Suleimani was planning attacks on Americans across the region, leading to an airstrike in Baghdad, the Pentagon statement said. Iran's supreme leader called for vengeance. |first1=Michael |last1=Crowley |first2=Falih |last2=Hassan |first3=Eric |last3=Schmitt}} Shortly after the attack, the U.S. deployed an additional 3,000 ground troops to the Middle East, in addition to 14,000 already stationed there since May the previous year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/01/03/qasem-soleimani-killing-us-send-more-soldiers-middle-east/2805493001/|title=US to send 3,000 more soldiers to the Middle East in the wake of Qasem Soleimani killing|last=Wu|first=Nicholas|date=3 January 2020|work=USA Today|accessdate=3 January 2020|url-status=live|last2=Brook|first2=Tom Vanden|department=World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103193328/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/01/03/qasem-soleimani-killing-us-send-more-soldiers-middle-east/2805493001/|archive-date=3 January 2020}} President Trump defended the move, claiming in an interview with ''[[The Ingraham Angle]]'' on the [[Fox News|Fox News Channel]] that General Soleimani was planning further attacks against four U.S. Embassies across the Middle East.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-news-mike-pompeo-attack-qassem-soleimani-imminent-dont-know-when-where-today-2020-01-10-live-updates/|title=Trump says four U.S. embassies were targeted in attack planned by Qassem Soleimani|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|accessdate=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110231631/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-news-mike-pompeo-attack-qassem-soleimani-imminent-dont-know-when-where-today-2020-01-10-live-updates/|archive-date=10 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-tells-laura-ingraham-four-embassies-were-targeted-in-imminent-threat-from-iran|title=Trump tells Fox News' Laura Ingraham 'four embassies' were targeted in imminent threat from Iran|last=Pappas|first=Alex|date=2020-01-10|website=Fox News|language=en-US|accessdate=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111122116/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-tells-laura-ingraham-four-embassies-were-targeted-in-imminent-threat-from-iran|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} This was later challenged by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper in interviews on ''[[Face the Nation]]'' on [[CBS]] and ''[[State of the Union (American TV program)|State of the Union]]'' on [[CNN]], who claimed that President Trump was not embellishing that there was an Iranian threat but that he had seen no evidence that U.S. embassies were to be targeted.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/5a168a5d8f560e928f3924f7af10f1d8|title=Esper has seen no hard evidence for embassies' threat claim|date=2020-01-12|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=2020-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112203122/https://apnews.com/5a168a5d8f560e928f3924f7af10f1d8|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} As the [[Funeral of Qasem Soleimani|funeral procession for Soleimani]] and al-Muhandis was ongoing in Baghdad, several rockets hit near the U.S. embassy and the [[Balad Air Base]] without any casualties.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50995792 |title=Qasem Soleimani: Blasts hit Baghdad area as Iraqis mourn Iranian general |work=BBC |accessdate=5 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106224535/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50995792 |archive-date=6 January 2020 |url-status=live}}Amid international fears of a direct confrontation between the two nations, Trump warned Iran on 4{{nbsp}}January against attacking U.S. assets or any Americans in the region. He threatened that in the event of an Iranian attack, the U.S. would [[United States threat for destruction of Iranian cultural sites|target 52 Iranian sites, including cultural sites]], which represented the 52 hostages taken by Iran in 1979, and would strike "very fast and very hard".{{cite web|url=https://hamodia.com/2020/01/04/trump-says-u-s-hit-52-iranian-sites-american-targets-attacked/|title=Trump Says U.S. Would Hit 52 Iranian Sites if American Targets Attacked|accessdate=4 January 2020|website=Hamodia}} The [[Executive Office of the President of the United States|White House]] officially notified the U.S. congress about the killing of Qassem Soleimani, in accordance with the 1973 [[War Powers Resolution]], a day after the fact.{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/476795-white-house-formally-notifies-congress-of-soleimani-strike |title=White House sends Congress formal notification of Soleimani strike |first=Rachel |last=Frazin |work=The Hill |date=4 January 2020 |accessdate=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107015204/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/476795-white-house-formally-notifies-congress-of-soleimani-strike |archive-date=7 January 2020 |url-status=live}} Meanwhile, thousands of people in 70 cities across the U.S. participated in [[Anti-war demonstration|antiwar demonstrations]] against a new conflict in the Middle East.[https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/04/us/iran-protests-roundup-trnd/index.html Activists across the US and the world protest a possible war with Iran] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105220024/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/04/us/iran-protests-roundup-trnd/index.html |date=5 January 2020}} By Ryan Prior and Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 4{{nbsp}}January 2020 [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/01/04/iraq-iran-tensions-protests-condemn-u-s-actions-middle-east/2807176001/ Outraged Americans condemn US actions in Iraq and Iran: 'Enough with this nonsense'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105170310/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/01/04/iraq-iran-tensions-protests-condemn-u-s-actions-middle-east/2807176001/ |date=5 January 2020}} Grace Hauck & Chris Woodyard, USA Today, 4{{nbsp}}January 2020 On the same day, the UK sent two warships, [[HMS Montrose (F236)|''HMS Montrose'']] and [[HMS Defender (D36)|''HMS Defender'']], to the Persian Gulf to protect their ships and citizens. The [[Royal Navy]] was deployed to accompany British-flagged ships through the [[Strait of Hormuz]].{{cite web|url=https://moosegazette.net/britain-sends-warships-to-persian-gulf-to-protect-citizens-amid-iran-crisis/227478/|title=Britain sends warships to Persian Gulf to 'protect citizens' amid Iran crisis|accessdate=4 January 2020|website=Moose Gazette}}On 5 January, Iran announced that it would not continue to abide by the limitations mentioned in the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|2015 nuclear deal]]. An Iranian government statement on state television said "If the sanctions are lifted{{nbsp}}... the Islamic Republic is ready to return to its obligations."{{cite web|url=https://www.limaohio.com/news/390868/iran-abandons-nuclear-limits-after-us-killing|title=Iran abandons nuclear limits after US killing|accessdate=5 January 2020|website=The Lima News}} Iran also demanded the [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|Iraqi parliament]] to get rid of the American presence in their country. The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution to expel all foreign, particularly U.S., troops from Iraqi territory through a vote boycotted by [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] and [[Kurds in Iraq|Kurdish]] representatives.{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5759101/iraqi-parliament-vote-for-us-withdrawal/|title=Iraqis Push for U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Symbolic Vote|website=Time|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106234146/https://time.com/5759101/iraqi-parliament-vote-for-us-withdrawal/|archive-date=6 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/iraq-parliament-expulsion-us-troops-drone-attack |title=Iraq's Parliament calls for expulsion of US troops from the country following drone attack |first=Stephen |last= Sorace |work= Fox News |date=5 January 2020|accessdate=7 January 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/476818-iraqs-parliament-votes-to-expel-us-military |title=Iraq's parliament votes to expel US military |first1=Regina |last1=Zilbermints |first2=Justine |last2=Coleman |work=The Hill |date=5 January 2020|accessdate=7 January 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50998065 |title=Qasem Soleimani: Iraqi MPs back call to expel US troops |work=BBC News |date=5 January 2020 |accessdate=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107010511/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50998065 |archive-date=7 January 2020 |url-status=live}} The media initially reported that the U.S. would comply with the resolution after a draft letter from Brigadier General [[William H. Seely III]] addressed to the [[Ministry of Defence (Iraq)|Iraqi Defense Ministry]] emerged claiming as such, but [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] [[Mark A. Milley]] and Secretary of Defense [[Mark Esper]] soon clarified that the letter had been sent in error and the U.S. Armed Forces would not withdraw from Iraq.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/07/mark-esper-american-troops-iraq-095626|title=Defense secretary insists U.S. isn't withdrawing from Iraq after PM calls for timetable|last=Morgan|first=Wesley|website=POLITICO|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001440/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/07/mark-esper-american-troops-iraq-095626|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} In response to the Iraqi parliament situation, Trump threatened to impose sanctions on Iraq "like they've never seen before".{{cite web|url=https://truenewssource.com/2020/01/07/geopolitical-cost-of-soleimanis-assassination/|title=Geopolitical Cost of Soleimani's Assassination|accessdate=7 January 2020|website=True News Source|date=7 January 2020}} On January 10, Acting Prime Minister [[Adil Abdul-Mahdi]] placed a telephone call to Secretary of State Pompeo demanding that the U.S. send a delegation "to prepare a mechanism to carry out the parliament's resolution regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq".{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/10/iraqi-pm-tells-us-to-decide-the-mechanism-for-troop-withdrawal.html|title=Iraqi PM tells US to start working on troop withdrawal|date=2020-01-10|website=CNBC|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001442/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/10/iraqi-pm-tells-us-to-decide-the-mechanism-for-troop-withdrawal.html|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} Pompeo rejected Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi's requests. Shortly afterwards Iraq's highest-ranking Shiite cleric, [[Marja'|Grand Ayatollah]] [[Ali al-Sistani]], condemned the U.S.–Iran crisis.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-idUSKBN1Z80P5|title=Washington turns down Iraqi call to remove troops|date=2020-01-10|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-01-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001438/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-idUSKBN1Z80P5|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}}In response to Iran's violations of the 2015 nuclear deal, the [[United Kingdom]], [[France]], and [[Germany]] threatened to activate the deal's dispute mechanism reenacting [[European Union]] and [[United Nations]] [[Sanctions against Iran|sanctions on Iran]], a move supported by the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]].{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/76ef3722e781efed91a832a44d25917d|title=EU pressures Iran on atom deal in last-ditch bid to save it|date=2020-01-14|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=2020-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115232318/https://apnews.com/76ef3722e781efed91a832a44d25917d|archive-date=15 January 2020|url-status=live}} In response, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Iranian Foreign Ministry]] threatened a "serious and strong response", and President Rouhani made a televised [[Cabinet of Iran|Cabinet]] address on Iranian state television directly threatening European troops while blaming U.S. escalation for the crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-president-threat-europe-nuclear-deal-admits-lied-about-shooting-ukrainian-plane-2020-01-15/|title=Iran threatens European troops for 1st time as it admits it "lied" about jet|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|accessdate=2020-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117163000/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-president-threat-europe-nuclear-deal-admits-lied-about-shooting-ukrainian-plane-2020-01-15/|archive-date=17 January 2020|url-status=live}} Soon afterwards, Rouhani claimed the country was enriching uranium at a higher rate per day than before the ratification of the deal, though experts questioned the logistical reality of that claim.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/middleeast/rouhani-iran-uranium-enrichment-intl/index.html|title=Iran is enriching more uranium now than before the nuclear deal, Rouhani says|author1=Sara Mazloumsaki|author2=James Frater|author3=Jack Guy|website=CNN|accessdate=2020-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116223359/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/middleeast/rouhani-iran-uranium-enrichment-intl/index.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2020/1/16/21069361/iran-nuclear-uranium-enrichment-rouhani-trump|work=Vox|title=Iran says it's now enriching uranium at levels higher than before nuclear deal|date=16 January 2020|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117052626/https://www.vox.com/world/2020/1/16/21069361/iran-nuclear-uranium-enrichment-rouhani-trump|archive-date=17 January 2020|url-status=live}}Meanwhile, the legality of the Baghdad Airport strike was brought into question in the U.S. and abroad. The U.S. congress was not consulted before the attack and some congressmembers sought to restrict the president's ability to attack Iran. [[Senate Minority Leader]] [[Chuck Schumer]] condemned the strike, and declared that Congress needed to be consulted in advance for any such military actions.[https://www.newsweek.com/schumer-house-foreign-affairs-condemn-trump-over-iran-tweets-he-seems-hell-bent-starting-1480496 Schumer, House Foreign Affairs Condemn Trump Over Iran Tweets: He Seems 'Hell Bent' On Starting War, 'You're Not A Dictator'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106165404/https://www.newsweek.com/schumer-house-foreign-affairs-condemn-trump-over-iran-tweets-he-seems-hell-bent-starting-1480496 |date=6 January 2020}}, BY Christina Zhao 1/5/20, Newsweek. [[U.S. House Speaker|House Speaker]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] announced she would introduce a resolution to limit Trump's ability to take actions against Iran.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/05/politics/pelosi-war-powers-resolution/index.html |title=Pelosi says House will introduce 'War Power Resolution' aimed to limit Trump's Iran military action |first=Paul |last=LeBlanc |work=CNN |date=6 January 2020 |accessdate=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107003442/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/05/politics/pelosi-war-powers-resolution/index.html |archive-date=7 January 2020 |url-status=live}} On January 10, the House ratified the resolution by a vote of 224–194. The vote was mostly conducted among party lines, with eight [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] opposing the resolution and three [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] favoring it.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/war-powers-resolution-house-votes-to-limit-trumps-ability-act-against-iran/|title=House approves war powers resolution to restrict Trump on Iran|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|accessdate=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110184307/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/war-powers-resolution-house-votes-to-limit-trumps-ability-act-against-iran/|archive-date=10 January 2020|url-status=live}} Following the killing of Soleimani, a classified intelligence briefing to the U.S. Senate by [[Director of the Central Intelligence Agency|CIA Director]] [[Gina Haspel]] was heavily scrutinized by many congressmembers and caused many legislators to question the Trump administration's rationale for the attacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2020/1/8/21057344/trump-congress-iran-intelligence-briefing-soleimani|title="Probably the worst briefing I've seen": Inside the disastrous congressional Iran meeting|last=Ward|first=Alex|date=2020-01-08|website=Vox|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112043912/https://www.vox.com/2020/1/8/21057344/trump-congress-iran-intelligence-briefing-soleimani|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} Shortly afterwards the U.S. State Department cancelled four further briefings on the crisis to the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] without rescheduling them.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/15/state-department-cancels-embassy-security-meeting-099296|title=State Department abruptly cancels briefings on Iran, embassy security|last=Toosi|first=Nahal|website=POLITICO|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119081115/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/15/state-department-cancels-embassy-security-meeting-099296|archive-date=19 January 2020|url-status=live}} Representative [[Eliot Engel]], the Chairman of the [[House Foreign Affairs Committee]], invited Mike Pompeo to a 29 January hearing to testify on the crisis and threatened to issue a subpoena against him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/politics/engel-pompeo-house-hearing/index.html|title=House chairman threatens to subpoena Pompeo over Iran policy hearing|first=Jennifer|last=Hansler|website=CNN|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118202456/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/politics/engel-pompeo-house-hearing/index.html|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}}==== IRGC ballistic missile attack and new sanctions ===={{Main|Operation Martyr Soleimani}}[[File:Ain al-Assad air base, 8 jan 2020.png|thumb|At least five structures were damaged at Ayn al-Asad airbase. ]]On 8 January 2020, Iraq's [[Al Asad Airbase]], which hosts U.S. troops, was attacked with [[ballistic missile]]s as a part of Iran's "Operation Martyr Soleimani", named for general Qasem Soleimani. It was also reported that the airbase in [[Erbil]], [[Iraqi Kurdistan]] was attacked as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/stampede-at-funeral-procession-for-iranian-commander-kills-35-11578390888|title=Iran Fires Missiles at U.S. Forces in Iraq|last=Coles|first=Gordon Lubold, Nancy A. Youssef and Isabel|website=WSJ|language=en-US|accessdate=2020-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108010625/https://www.wsj.com/articles/stampede-at-funeral-procession-for-iranian-commander-kills-35-11578390888|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}} During the attack, the IRGC declared that "fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards had begun", indicating it was the official response to the killing of Soleimani.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/add7a702258b4419d796aa5f48e577fc|title=Iran warns US not retaliate over missile attack in Iraq|date=2020-01-07|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=2020-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107090648/https://apnews.com/add7a702258b4419d796aa5f48e577fc|archive-date=7 January 2020|url-status=live}} In the fallout of the missile attacks, it emerged that they were largely a feigned attack, in which U.S. intelligence and Iraqi forces knew an attack was forthcoming and necessary precautions were taken. Some Iranian media claimed that the U.S. suffered 80 casualties, while U.S. officials initially stated that no Iraqis or Americans were harmed and only material damage was done to the bases.During his White House address hours after the attack, Trump ruled out a direct military response, urged rapprochement with Iran, demanded [[NATO]] be more involved in regional affairs, and demanded a new Iran nuclear deal be arranged. Trump, however, also announced new sanctions on Iran and affirmed his position that Iran could not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-fires-missiles-at-military-bases-iraq-used-by-us-coalition-troops-today-live-updates-2020-01-08/|title=Trump: New sanctions on Iran but U.S. "ready to embrace peace"|website=www.cbsnews.com|accessdate=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109081935/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-fires-missiles-at-military-bases-iraq-used-by-us-coalition-troops-today-live-updates-2020-01-08/|archive-date=9 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 9{{nbsp}}January, [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations|U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations]] [[Kelly Craft]] sent a letter to the [[United Nations Security Council|U.N. Security Council]] announcing that the United States was willing to negotiate with Iran to prevent further escalation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51043559|title=US 'ready for serious negotiations' with Iran|date=2020-01-09|accessdate=2020-01-18|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119110534/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51043559|archive-date=19 January 2020|url-status=live}} Ayatollah Khamenei rejected the possibility of talks at any level between U.S. and Iranian officials unless the United States returned to the JCPOA; [[Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations|Iranian Permanent Representative to the United Nations]] [[Majid Takht-Ravanchi]] likewise rejected the option. Both ambassadors justified their countries' military actions under [[Article 51]] of the [[Charter of the United Nations|United Nations Charter]].{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-khamenei-idUSKBN1W20JP|title=Iran's Khamenei rejects talks with United States|date=2019-09-17|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-01-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001440/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-khamenei-idUSKBN1W20JP|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 14 January, British Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] encouraged the negotiation of a new nuclear deal between the Trump administration and the Iranian government, which President Trump expressed agreement with.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/478324-trump-says-he-agrees-with-idea-of-replacing-obama-era-iran-deal-with|title=Trump says he agrees with idea of replacing Obama-era Iran deal with his own|last=Conradis|first=Brandon|date=2020-01-14|website=TheHill|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117142702/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/478324-trump-says-he-agrees-with-idea-of-replacing-obama-era-iran-deal-with|archive-date=17 January 2020|url-status=live}}On 10 January, the Trump administration imposed new economic sanctions targeting Iran's metals industry and eight senior officials who were involved in the prior missile attacks. According to [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|U.S. Secretary of the Treasury]] [[Steven Mnuchin]], the sanctions would affect "billions" in revenue.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/10/politics/us-sanctions-iran-mnuchin/index.html|work=CNN|title=US imposes new sanctions on Iran|date=10 January 2020|accessdate=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112150045/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/10/politics/us-sanctions-iran-mnuchin/index.html|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm870|2=|title=Treasury Targets Iran's Billion Dollar Metals Industry and Senior Regime Officials|date=10 January 2020|work=Treasury.gov|accessdate=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111233245/https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm870|archive-date=11 January 2020|url-status=live}} The U.S. also warned Iraq that it would freeze its account at the [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York]] if it continued to urge the withdrawal American troops, which would prevent the Iraqi government from accessing oil revenues, damage the [[Economy of Iraq|Iraqi economy]], and devalue the [[Iraqi dinar]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-warns-iraq-it-risks-losing-access-to-key-bank-account-if-troops-told-to-leave-11578759629|title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} U.S. Warns Iraq It Risks Losing Access to Key Bank Account if Troops Told to Leave|last=Beirut|first=Ian Talley in Washington and Isabel Coles in|website=WSJ|language=en-US|accessdate=2020-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112012312/https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-warns-iraq-it-risks-losing-access-to-key-bank-account-if-troops-told-to-leave-11578759629|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 15 January, the United States and Iraq resumed joint military operations against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] after a ten-day suspension following the drone strike on Soleimani.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/world/middleeast/us-military-iraq.html|title=U.S. Military Resumes Joint Operations With Iraq|last=Rubin|first=Alissa J.|date=2020-01-15|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2020-01-18|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118210431/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/world/middleeast/us-military-iraq.html|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}}During his White House response, Trump stated that, according to initial assessments, there were no U.S. casualties. The [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]] announced over a week later that eleven American servicemen were being treated for [[concussion]]-like symptoms after the missile attacks.{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/5767151/iran-missile-attack-us-military-concussion/|title=11 U.S. Service Members Were Treated for Concussion Symptoms After Iranian Missile Attack|website=Time|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118170156/https://time.com/5767151/iran-missile-attack-us-military-concussion/|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}}==== Shootdown of Ukrainian passenger plane ====Hours after the ballistic missile attacks, [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752]] crashed just after taking off from [[Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport|Tehran International Airport]], killing all 176 passengers and crew, including 82 Iranian and 63 Canadian citizens. An investigation was launched to decipher the reason for the crash.{{cite news |author1=Artemis Moshtaghian |author2=Joshua Berlinger |author3=Jack Guy |title=Ukrainian Boeing plane crashes in Iran after takeoff, killing 176 on board |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/middleeast/plane-crash-iran-intl-hnk/index.html |work=CNN |date=8 January 2020 |accessdate=9 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108044020/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/middleeast/plane-crash-iran-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=8 January 2020 |url-status=live}} On 9{{nbsp}}January, U.S. officials said they believe the aircraft had been shot down in error by an Iranian Tor missile, based on evidence from reconnaissance satellite imagery and radar data.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/iranians-shot-down-ukraine-flight-mistake-sources-1481313|title=Iranian missile system shot down Ukraine flight, probably by mistake, sources say|last=Jamali|first=Naveed|last2=LaPorta|first2=James|date=2020-01-09|website=Newsweek|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-10|last3=Silva|first3=Chantal Da|last4=EST|first4=Tom O'Connor On 1/9/20 at 11:00 AM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109171639/https://www.newsweek.com/iranians-shot-down-ukraine-flight-mistake-sources-1481313|archive-date=9 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/iran-plane-crash-investigation/index.html|title=Plane crash in Iran: Live updates on the investigation|author1=Tara John|author2=Meg Wagner|author3=Mike Hayes|author4=Fernando Alfonso III|author5=Veronica Rocha|date=2020-01-09|website=CNN|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110033522/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/iran-plane-crash-investigation/index.html|archive-date=10 January 2020|accessdate=2020-01-10}} Iranian officials initially denied the allegations but, on 11 January, admitted to accidentally shooting down the plane.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/21f4a92a2dfbc38581719664bdf6f38e |title=Under pressure, Iran admits it shot down jetliner by mistake |work=[[Associated Press]] |first1=Nasser |last1=Karimi |first2=Joseph |last2=Krauss |date=11 January 2020 |accessdate=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111035544/https://apnews.com/21f4a92a2dfbc38581719664bdf6f38e |archive-date=11 January 2020 |url-status=live}} Canadian Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] urged deescalation and claimed that the United States' escalation of the conflict was partially to blame for the accident, saying "If there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families. This is something that happens when you have conflict and the war. Innocents bear the brunt of it." The incident slightly worsened [[Canada–United States relations]].{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/14/justin-trudeau-us-escalation-partly-to-blame-for-iran-plane-deaths|title=Justin Trudeau: US escalation partly to blame for Iran plane deaths|last=France-Presse|first=Agence|date=2020-01-14|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2020-01-17|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114095515/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/14/justin-trudeau-us-escalation-partly-to-blame-for-iran-plane-deaths|archive-date=14 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-plane-crash-poses-challenge-canada-us-relations|title=Iran plane crash poses a challenge for Canada-US relations|website=Middle East Eye|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114193247/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-plane-crash-poses-challenge-canada-us-relations|archive-date=14 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/5de672ec7461e646e8180d5bb1fbe618|title=Nations of Iran crash victims seek compensation for families|date=2020-01-16|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117205904/https://apnews.com/5de672ec7461e646e8180d5bb1fbe618|archive-date=17 January 2020|url-status=live}} The airline shoot-down also reignited [[2019–20 Iranian protests|anti-government protests]] within Iran that had previously become dormant during the massive public outcry against the death of Soleimani.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2020/1/16/21065638/iran-protests-soleimani-trump-jcpoa|title=How thousands of Iranians went from mourning a general to protesting the regime, in a week|last=Kirby|first=Jen|date=2020-01-16|website=Vox|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117040306/https://www.vox.com/2020/1/16/21065638/iran-protests-soleimani-trump-jcpoa|archive-date=17 January 2020|url-status=live}} Foreign ministers from the countries who lost citizens in the crash—[[Canada]], [[Ukraine]], [[Sweden]], [[Afghanistan]], and the United Kingdom—met at the [[High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom|Canadian High Commission]] in [[London]] and demanded that Iran provide compensation for families of the victims.==== Further tensions and controversies ====On 12 January, [[Hezbollah]] [[Secretary-General of Hezbollah|Secretary-General]] [[Hassan Nasrallah]] called for Iran's allies in the [[Axis of Resistance]]—including Iran, the [[Syria|Syrian Arab Republic]], Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the [[Houthi movement]] in [[Yemen]]—to intensify its military campaigns against the U.S. to expel U.S. forces from the Middle East.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-hezbollah-idUSKBN1ZB0LJ|title=Hezbollah: It's time for Iran's allies to start working to avenge Soleimani|date=2020-01-12|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-01-12|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112205442/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-hezbollah-idUSKBN1ZB0LJ|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} During a state visit by [[Emir of Qatar|Emir]] [[Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani]] of [[Qatar]] to Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei called for regional cooperation against the U.S.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-iran-khamenei-idUSKBN1ZB0J7|title=Iran's Khamenei calls for better regional cooperation, criticizes U.S.|date=2020-01-12|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-01-12|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112205442/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-iran-khamenei-idUSKBN1ZB0J7|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}} However, following discussions between Sheikh Tamim and President Rouhani, Tamim concluded that de-escalation and dialogue were the only means to resolve the regional crises.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-qatar-iran/qatar-emir-in-iran-calls-for-regional-de-escalation-at-sensitive-time-idUSKBN1ZB0D7|title=Qatar emir in Iran, calls for regional de-escalation at 'sensitive' time|accessdate=12 January 2020|publisher=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113033258/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-qatar-iran/qatar-emir-in-iran-calls-for-regional-de-escalation-at-sensitive-time-idUSKBN1ZB0D7|archive-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live}} In response to the increased tensions, the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]] and many U.S. states released advisories warning of Iranian [[cyberattack]]s, while the [[Texas Department of Information Resources]] said Iranian cyberattacks had reached a rate of 10,000 per minute.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2020-01-09/state-officials-address-heightened-iranian-cybersecurity-threats|title=State Officials Address Heightened Iranian Cybersecurity Threats|last=Leins|first=Casey|date=12 January 2019|work=U.S. News and World Report|accessdate=12 January 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110073024/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2020-01-09/state-officials-address-heightened-iranian-cybersecurity-threats|archive-date=10 January 2020}}On 17 January, Ayatollah Khamenei personally led [[Jumu'ah|Friday prayers]] in [[Tehran]] for the first time since February 2012, speaking at the [[Shah Mosque (Tehran)|Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque]].{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/b26a49ed212548d61e8bb6062a875c7e|title=Iran's top leader strikes defiant tone amid month of turmoil|date=2020-01-17|website=AP NEWS|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118174701/https://apnews.com/b26a49ed212548d61e8bb6062a875c7e|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}} During his sermon, Khamenei lamented the shootdown of the Ukrainian airliner, sought to present the image that the country was unified despite protests and the international crisis, and lashed out at the UK, France, and Germany, referring to them as "servants" of the "villainous" United States. Khamenei denounced the Trump administration as "clowns" and insisted that the "real punishment" for General Soleimani's assassination would be forcing American forces out of the Middle East.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-trump-clowns-sermon-defends-forces-ukrainian-airplane-2020-01-17/|title=Iran's supreme leader blasts U.S. "clowns" in rare personal message amid a crisis|date=17 January 2020|work=CBS News|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117221529/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-news-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-trump-clowns-sermon-defends-forces-ukrainian-airplane-2020-01-17/|archive-date=17 January 2020|url-status=live}} In response Trump, who was vacationing at [[Mar-a-Lago|Mar-a-Lago resort]] in [[Palm Beach, Florida|Palm Beach]], [[Florida]], at the time, made posts on [[Twitter]] urging Iranian leadership to stop "killing" Iranian protesters and that it "should abandon terror and [[Make America Great Again|Make Iran Great Again]]!" One of the posts was written in both [[English language|English]] and [[Farsi]].{{cite news|work=Fox News|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-khamenei-make-iran-great-again|date=17 January 2020|accessdate=18 January 2020|title=Trump fires back after Iranian leader condemns him on Twitter: 'Make Iran Great Again!'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118030043/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-khamenei-make-iran-great-again|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}} On the same day, the [[Asian Football Confederation]] banned Iran from hosting international football matches.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/478811-iran-banned-from-hosting-international-soccer-matches-report|title=Iran banned from hosting international soccer matches: report|last=Moreno|first=J. Edward|date=2020-01-17|website=TheHill|language=en|accessdate=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118145546/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/478811-iran-banned-from-hosting-international-soccer-matches-report|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 18 January, the U.S. sanctioned Brigadier General Hassan Shahvarpour, an IRGC commander in [[Khuzestan Province]], after security personnel fired into protesters without warning during [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 protests|anti-government demonstrations]] in [[Mahshahr County]].{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-sanctions-idUSKBN1ZH0LM|title=U.S. sanctions Iranian commander over Mahshahr killings|date=2020-01-18|work=Reuters|accessdate=2020-01-18|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118231908/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-sanctions-idUSKBN1ZH0LM|archive-date=18 January 2020|url-status=live}}On 26 January, three rockets were fired on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, wounding at least one staff member present at the cafeteria at dinner time, with the nationality of the wounded still undisclosed, other sources reported three wounded.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/27/us-embassy-iraq-rocket-attack-injuries|title=US embassy in Iraq hit by rocket attack, wounding at least one|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 January 2020|accessdate=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127080952/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/27/us-embassy-iraq-rocket-attack-injuries|archive-date=27 January 2020|url-status=live}}=== February 2020 ===[[File:DOD 107676464-5e45f9f98daf7.webm|thumb|A [[Visit, board, search, and seizure|VBSS]] team from {{USS|Normandy|CG-60|6}} interdicts a dhow carrying Iranian-made weapons in the [[Arabian Sea]], 9{{nbsp}}February 2020]]On 9 February, during routine maritime patrols, U.S. forces aboard the {{USS|Normandy|CG-60|6}} (CG-60) [[Visit, board, search, and seizure|interdicted and seized]] a cache of Iranian-made weapons aboard a dhow in the Arabian Sea that was purportedly en route to supply [[Houthi movement|Houthi]] rebels in Yemen. According to the U.S., the shipment consisted of 358 weapons components, including 150 Dehlavieh anti-tank missiles, three Iranian-made SAMs, [[Thermographic camera|thermal imaging]] weapon scopes, and other components for manned and unmanned aerial and surface vessels, such as [[Bomb vessel|bomb boats]] and weaponized drones.{{cite news|url=https://news.usni.org/2020/02/13/video-uss-normandy-seizes-cache-of-iranian-made-weapons-in-arabian-sea|title=VIDEO: USS Normandy Seizes Cache Of Iranian-Made Weapons in Arabian Sea|date=13 February 2020|work=USNI News}}On 10 February, the Pentagon confirmed that more than a hundred U.S. service members were injured from the 8{{nbsp}}January IRGC ballistic missile attacks, with 109 personnel diagnosed with [[traumatic brain injuries]].On 13 February, the U.S. Senate voted 55–45 to constrain Trump's ability to wage war on Iran without congressional approval. The bipartisan vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution included eight Republican senators. Trump threatened to veto the resolution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/13/politics/war-powers-resolution-vote-senate-iran/index.html|title=Senate passes Iran War Powers resolution despite Trump's opposition|last=Foran|first=Clare|last2=Barrett|first2=Ted|date=13 February 2020|website=CNN|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=2020-02-13}} On the same day, a rocket hit an Iraqi base in Kirkuk that housed U.S. forces. No casualties were reported.{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/02/13/Rocket-attack-hits-Iraqi-base-hosting-US-troops.html|title=Rocket hits Iraqi base hosting US troops|website=english.alarabiya.net}}=== March 2020 ==={{See also|2020 Camp Taji attacks|Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq (2020)}}On 11 March, Qasem Soleimani's birthday, 15 [[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]] rockets struck [[Camp Taji]], Iraq, killing two U.S. soldiers{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/barrage-rockets-target-iraqi-base-killing-2-americans-1-brit|title=Barrage of Rockets Target Iraqi Base, Killing 2 Americans, 1 Brit | Voice of America - English|website=www.voanews.com}} and one British soldier from the [[Royal Army Medical Corps]].{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/iraq-three-killed-after-rockets-hit-army-base-as-boris-johnson-calls-attack-deplorable-11955815|title=Iraq: British Army medic and two US soldiers killed in 'deplorable' rocket attack on base|website=Sky News|date=12 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/11/politics/americans-killed-iraq-rocket-attack/index.html|title=2 Americans and 1 British citizen killed in rocket attack on base in Iraq|website=CNN|date=11 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/03/12/coalition-personnel-wounded-in-attack-on-iraqi-base-coalition-official-.html|title=Two Americans, British personnel killed in Iraq rocket attack: US Officials|website=Al Arabiya|date=12 March 2020}} The attack left 12 other American soldiers, contractors and [[CJTF-OIR|OIR coalition]] personnel (including a Polish soldier){{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/polish-soldier-injured-in-iraq-rocket-attack-11067|title=Polish soldier injured in Iraq rocket attack|website=www.thefirstnews.com}} injured, five critically.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/03/11/us-coalition-troops-killed-rocket-attack-iraq-potentially-spiking-tensions-with-iran/|title=U.S. and coalition troops killed in rocket attack in Iraq, potentially spiking tensions with Iran|website=The Washington Post|date=11 March 2020}} On 13 March after midnight, after a previous retaliatory operation, the U.S. launched air raids against [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]] facilities in [[Karbala]] and the [[Babylon]] area{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/retaliatory-strikes-attack-troops-iraq-200312220946232.html|title=US launches air raids in Iraq after deadly rocket attack|website=Al Jazeera|date=13 March 2020}} near the [[Karbala International Airport]]; the strikes reportedly killed at least three Iraqi soldiers, two policemen and one civilian. 11 Iraqi soldiers were wounded as well as five Popular Mobilization Forces fighters.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/13/iraqi-civilian-among-six-dead-us-airstrikes/|title=Iraqi civilian among six dead in US airstrikes|website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=13 March 2020}}On 14 March, before 11:00 AM, another rocket attack struck Camp Taji; more than 24 107mm caliber rockets struck the coalition compound and the Iraqi Air defenses installation there, injuring five coalition soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers. Iraqi forces subsequently found seven Katyusha rocket launchers with 25 rockets armed but not launched nearby.{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5803146/iraq-rocket-attack-us-troops/|title=Rocket Attack Near Baghdad Hits Base Housing U.S. Troops: Iraq Officials|work=[[Associated Press]]|date=14 March 2020|accessdate=14 March 2020|author1=Qassim Abdul-Zahra|author2=Samya Kullab}}On 16 March, the U.S. announced it would pull out from three of its eight bases on Iraq, amid continued tensions with the Iraqi government and Iran. In the border crossing of [[Al-Qa'im (town)|al-Qaim]], the U.S. handed over equipment to the [[Iraqi security forces]] to ensure border security with Syria, a significant move that effectively ended any significant U.S. presence along the Iraqi side of the border. The other two military bases later transferred to the Iraqis were the [[Qayyarah Airfield West|Qayyarah Airfield]] and the [[K-1 Air Base]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51914600|title=US pulling out of key Iraq bases|first=Nafiseh|last=Kohnavard|date=16 March 2020|via=www.bbc.com}} CJTF-OIR said the base transfers and repositioning of forces were pre-planned in coordination with the Iraqi government in response to progress in the [[Operation Inherent Resolve|ongoing operation]] against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]] and unrelated to the recent base attacks or the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq|COVID-19 viral pandemic situation]] in the country. The coalition added it would relocate and consolidate personnel and equipment from several Iraqi bases throughout 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.inherentresolve.mil/Releases/News-Releases/Article/2129619/coalition-departs-k1-air-base-transfers-equipment-to-isf/|work=Inherent Resolve|title=Coalition departs K1 Air Base, transfers equipment to ISF|date=29 March 2020|accessdate=3 April 2020}}On 17 March, two rockets struck the [[Besmaya Range Complex]], south of Baghdad, where [[Spain|Spanish]] troops were stationed; no casualties were reported.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/rockets-target-iraqi-base-hosting-foreign-troops-200317082032344.html|title=Rockets target Iraqi base hosting foreign troops|website=www.aljazeera.com}}The gradual reduction of NATO and coalition presence in Iraq continued on 24 March when the [[Czech Republic]] withdrew troops citing security threats, the global COVID-19 pandemic, and a planned mission restructuring. 30 Czech soldiers participating in Operation Inherent Resolve and the [[NATO Training Mission – Iraq|NATO Training Mission in Iraq]] returned to [[Prague]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.praguemorning.cz/czech-army-temporarily-withdraws-from-iraq/|title=Czech Army Temporarily Withdraws From Iraq|first=Prague|last=Morning|date=25 March 2020}}On 25 March, France announced it would withdraw its forces from training duties in Iraq, mostly trainers to local armed forces,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-france-withdraws-forces-in-anti-isis-coalition/1779546|title=Iraq: France withdraws forces in anti-ISIS coalition|website=www.aa.com.tr}} largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Iraq's military halted all training in early March to minimize the risk of the illness spreading among its forces, including from the OIR coalition.{{cite news|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1647391/middle-east|title=France to withdraw all troops from Iraq due to coronavirus outbreak |date=26 March 2020|accessdate=3 April 2020|work=Arab News}}=== April 2020 ===On 3 April, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed forces [[Mohammad Bagheri (Iranian commander)|Mohammad Bagheri]] said, "Iran will respond severely if the United States does anything to undermine security of Iran".{{Cite web|url=https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1184617.shtml|title=Iran's top commander warns US against threatening security|author=Xinhua|date=2020-04-03|website=Global Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-03}}On 7 April, in Iraq, the coalition withdrew from the [[Abu Ghraib]] operating base, the al-Sqoor base inside Nineveh Operations Command, and the [[Al-Taqaddum Air Base]], handing control to the Iraqi security forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/07042020|publisher=[[Rudaw Media Network]]|title=US-led coalition withdraws from sixth Iraqi military base|date=April 7, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/04/04/us-hands-over-another-air-base-to-iraqi-forces/|publisher=MilitaryTimes|title=US hands over another air base to Iraqi forces|date=April 5, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/05/marines-coalition-forces-pull-out-iraqs-taqaddam-air-base.html|publisher=[[Military.com]]|title=Marines, Coalition Forces Pull out of Iraq's Taqaddum Air Base {{!}} Military.com|date=April 5, 2020}} However, amidst the force consolidation, by 13 April the U.S. had also installed and activated [[MIM-104 Patriot|Patriot air defense systems]], an Army [[Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar|C-RAM system]], and an [[AN/TWQ-1 Avenger]] at [[Al Asad Airbase]] and the base at Erbil (the two bases attacked by Iran in January), and at Camp Taji, after gradually moving the systems piece-by-piece into Iraq since January. CENTCOM commander [[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.|Gen. Frank McKenzie]] said the Patriots and other systems were taken from another location where they were also needed, without saying where. U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [[Mark A. Milley|Mark Milley]] also added that hundreds of troops from the [[1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division]], which deployed to Iraq in January as an [[Immediate Response Force]] following the embassy attack, would remain until "... the situation with the Shia militia groups and Iran ... 100 percent settled down".{{cite news|url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/04/13/patriot-missile-defense-systems-now-active-in-iraq-say-us-officials/|work=Defense News|title=Patriot missile defense systems now active in Iraq, say US officials|date=13 April 2020|accessdate=10 May 2020}}On 14 April, an oil tanker named SC Taipei sailing under the flag of [[Hong Kong]] was seized and released the same day by armed men while anchored 3 nm off Iran's Ras Al Kuh coast.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/dee8b344a29eb6d3fe512e67697a79c1|publisher=[[Associated Press|AP]]|title=Armed men seize, release tanker off Iran by Strait of Hormuz|date=April 14, 2020}}[[File:IRGCN Vessels Conduct Unsafe, Unprofessional Interaction with U.S. Naval Forces in Arabian Gulf.webm|thumb|U.S. Navy video of IRGCN interceptions in the north Persian Gulf, 15 April 2020. The [[USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3)|USS ''Lewis B. Puller'' (ESB-3)]] can be seen in the background.]]Gulf tensions remained high in mid-April between Iranian and U.S. vessels. On 15 April, during U.S. Army [[AH-64 Apache|AH-64E Apache]] deck landing qualifications with the Navy in the northern Persian Gulf, 11 [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|NEDSA]] speed boats began circling six U.S. vessels partaking in the exercise, including coming within 10 yards of the [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]]'s Island-class cutter [[USCGC Maui (WPB-1304)|''Maui'' (WPB-1304)]] and within 50 yards of the [[USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3)|USS ''Lewis B. Puller'' (ESB-3)]]. According to the U.S. Navy, "The IRGCN vessels repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S. vessels at extremely close range and high speeds ... the U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via [[Marine VHF radio|bridge-to-bridge radio]], five short blasts from the ships' horns and long range acoustic noise maker devices, but received no response." The incident lasted almost an hour, until the Iranian vessels departed, and occurred about two weeks after the U.S. moved a carrier strike group out of the region. The [[USS Harry S. Truman|''Harry S. Truman'' Carrier Strike Group]] had departed the Middle East earlier in the month after operating in the region with the [[USS Dwight D. Eisenhower|''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' Carrier Strike Group]], a rare occurrence for the Navy which has not had multiple strike groups in the region for years.{{cite news|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/15/swarm-iranian-boats-harassed-us-ships-persian-gulf-navy-says.html|work=Military.com|title=Swarm of Iranian Boats Harassed US Ships in Persian Gulf, Navy Says|date=15 April 2020|accessdate=3 May 2020}} On 19 April, the IRGC acknowledged that an incident took place, but dismissed the U.S. version of events.On 22 April, in response to the 15 April incident, U.S. president Trump tweeted that he instructed the U.S. Navy to "shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats" if they harassed U.S. ships. Senior Pentagon officials said the tweet reflected a lawful order that would be implemented, though it did not mark a change in the [[rules of engagement]].{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/22/politics/trump-us-navy-iranian-ships-tweet/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|title=Trump on Twitter tells US Navy to 'shoot down and destroy' Iranian boats that harass US ships|date=April 23, 2020}}=== May 2020 ===Trump vetoed a Senate resolution on 6 May that would have required him to seek congressional authorization before taking military action against Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/us/politics/trump-vetoes-iran-war-powers.html|title=Trump Vetoes Measure Demanding Congressional Approval for Iran Conflict|first=Michael|last=Crowley|date=6 May 2020|via=NYTimes.com}}On 7 May, the United States removed four [[MIM-104 Patriot|Patriot missile batteries]], two jet fighter squadrons and dozens of military personnel from Saudi Arabia while considering a reduction in the U.S. Navy presence in the Persian Gulf.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-remove-patriot-missile-batteries-from-saudi-arabia-11588867916|title=U.S. to Remove Patriot Missile Batteries From Saudi Arabia|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=7 May 2020}} The U.S. decision might be related to the [[2020 Russia–Saudi Arabia oil price war|Russia–Saudi Arabia oil price war]] as it affected the U.S. oil prices.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-saudi-arabia-ultimatum-cut-oil-supply-lose-military-support-2020-4|title=Trump gave Saudi Arabia an ultimatum to cut oil supply or lose US military support|website=Business Insider|date=1 May 2020}}On 10 May, the {{ship|Iranian frigate|Jamaran}} [[Konarak vessel incident|accidentally launched]] a [[Noor (missile)|Noor]] [[anti-ship missile]] targeting the friendly {{ship|Iranian support vessel|Konarak}} at the time putting out practice targets for a naval exercise. It was later determined that 19 sailors were killed and 15 injured. Some experts conclude that with this incident the stability of the Persian Gulf goes under question. Fabian Hinz of the California-based [[Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey|Middlebury Institute of International Studies]] is an expert on Iran's military. He was quoted by New York Times as saying, "This really showed that the situation with Iran is still dangerous because accidents and miscalculations can happen".{{cite news |title=Friendly Fire Incident Kills 19 In Iranian Navy Drill |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-missile-strikes-own-vessel-killing-one-and-wounding-15/30605160.html |agency=Radio Leberty |date=11 May 2020}}=== June 2020 ===On, June 12 the [[United Nations]] concluded that the cruise missiles that [[2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack|struck the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia oil complex]] last year likely came from Iran.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-12/missiles-used-in-saudi-attacks-last-year-came-from-iran-un-says|title=Missiles in 2019 Saudi Oil Attacks Came From Iran, UN Says}}.The board of the United Nations' atomic watchdog agency on 19 June adopted a resolution calling for Iran to provide inspectors access to sites where the country is thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/germany-france-uk-press-iran-provide-atomic-site-71339947|title=Germany, France, UK press Iran to provide atomic site access|first=A. B. C.|last=News|website=ABC News}}https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-18/iran-nuclear-row-escalates-as-china-warns-of-dire-consequencesOn 29 June, Iran issued an [[arrest warrant]] for President Trump and 35 other individuals on "murder and terrorism charges" for the drone strike on Soleimani, and requested international assistance in detaining him. Responding to Iran's request to issue a [[Interpol notice|red notice]], [[Interpol]] issued a statement that it cannot its charter prohibits "intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character."{{Cite news|last=Specia|first=Megan|date=2020-06-29|title=Iran Issues Arrest Warrants for Trump and 35 Others in Suleimani Killing|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/world/middleeast/iran-trump-arrest-warrant-interpol.html|access-date=2020-06-29|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|title=Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump, asks Interpol to help|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/iran-issues-arrest-warrant-trump-asks-interpol-200629104710662.html|access-date=2020-06-29|website=www.aljazeera.com}} U.S. Special Representative for Iran [[Brian Hook]] dismissed the warrant as "a propaganda stunt that no one takes seriously and makes the Iranians look foolish."{{Cite web|title=Iran Issues Arrest Warrant for President Trump|url=https://time.com/5861215/iran-interpol-trump-arrest-warrant/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Time}} Analysts and commentators identified the issuance of the warrant as symbolic rather than a genuine attempt to arrest Trump.{{Cite news|date=2020-06-29|title=Iran seeks Trump's arrest over Soleimani killing|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53223523|access-date=2020-06-30}}On, June 29 a report by Al Arabiya released photo evidence of a dhow carrying hundreds of reportedly Iranian weapons and other Farsi language material was intercepted on April 17.The wooden dhow was found off the coast of Mocha, Yemen .{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/06/29/Exclusive-Shipment-of-Iranian-weapons-Farsi-material-intercepted-en-route-to-Yemen.html|title=Watch: Shipment of Iranian weapons, Farsi material intercepted en route to Yemen|date=29 June 2020|website=Al Arabiya English}}Brian Hook, US Special Representative on Iran, visited Israel and Saudi Arabia and made a statement "Israel and the US "see eye to eye" on the need to extend the UN conventional arms embargo, warning that its expiration would allow it to export more arms to its regional proxies."{{Cite web|url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1593499994-netanyahu-iran-continues-secret-program-to-develop-nuclear-weapons|title=i24NEWS|website=www.i24news.tv}}June 30, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun said during a virtual meeting of the U.N. Security Council “Having quit the JCPOA, the U.S. is no longer a participant and has no right to trigger the snapback” of sanctions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/germany-sides-with-china-in-fight-over-trump-iran-threat|title=Germany sides with China in fight over Trump Iran threat|date=30 June 2020|website=Washington Examiner}}=== July 2020 ===On 1 July, a fire and explosion hit a centrifuge production plant at a nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran. No deaths or injuries were reported. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said: "Not every incident that transpires in Iran necessarily has something to do with us.""All those systems are complex, they have very high safety constraints and I'm not sure they always know how to maintain them," Gantz told Israel Radio.{{Cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/israel-says-not-necessarily-behind-all-iran-nuclear-site-incidents/30707096.html|title=Israel Says 'Not Necessarily' Behind All Iran Nuclear Site Incidents|website=RFE/RL}}{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/50c3e7f6445ae99def6bdc65fbce6c42|title=Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility|date=2 July 2020|website=AP NEWS}}On 6 July, Commander of [[NEDSA]] Admiral [[Alireza Tangsiri]] claimed Iran had built speedboat and missile underground cities in southern coast of Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-claims-to-have-built-underground-missile-cities-on-gulf-coast/|title=Iran claims to have built underground ‘missile cities’ on Gulf coast|first=T. O. I.|last=staff|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}The Mossad spy agency recently foiled planned or attempted Iranian attacks on Israeli diplomatic missions in Europe and elsewhere, according to a report Monday July 6.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/mossad-said-to-foil-iranian-attacks-on-israeli-embassies-in-europe-elsewhere/|title=Mossad said to foil Iranian attacks on Israeli embassies in Europe, elsewhere|first=T. O. I.|last=staff|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}On 7 July, [[UNHRC]], led by special rapporteur Agnès Callamard, concludes that the killing of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 by the United States was "unlawful". Callamard says that based on U.S. evidence, the killing was "arbitrary" and "violated the UN charter."Callamard wrote."No evidence has been provided that General Soleimani specifically was planning an imminent attack against US interests, particularly in Iraq, for which immediate action was necessary and would have been justified."{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/un-says-us-soleimani-assasination-unlawful-no-evidence-iran-terror-2020-7|title=The US violated international law by assassinating Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, top UN human rights investigator says|work= Business Insider|date=7 July 2020}}On 8 July, Pompeo hinted at Iran links in the killing of a prominent Iraqi jihadism expert and highlighted threats against him by Iran-linked groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/top-us-diplomat-pompeo-hints-at-iran-links-in-killing-of-iraq-expert|title=Top US diplomat Pompeo hints at Iran links in killing of Iraq expert|date=8 July 2020|website=The Straits Times}}On 16 July, CNN reported the US has "several" intelligence indications that Iran has put portions of its air defense system on "high alert" in recent days, following unexplained explosions at key facilities tied to the country's military and nuclear programs, according to a US official who is closely tracking developments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/16/politics/us-intelligence-iran-air-defenses/index.html|title=US has 'several' indications Iran has put portions of air defense on high alert|first=Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon|last=Correspondent|website=CNN}}On 18 July, an oil pipeline exploded as a resounding boom was heard in Ahwaz in the western Khuzestan province in Iran, according to Iranian media. No official report has confirmed that the oil pipeline was the source of the explosion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/oil-pipeline-explodes-in-west-iran-report-635506|title=Oil pipeline explodes in west Iran - report|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com}}On 21 July, Khamenei threatend recricpocal blow to US for Qassem Soleimani{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/world/iran-will-strike-reciprocal-blow-against-us-for-killing-of-top-commander-qassem-soleimani-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-2297437.html|title=Iran will strike reciprocal blow against US for killing of top commander Qassem Soleimani: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei|date=22 July 2020|website=Zee News}}On 24 July, two American F-15s flew close to a Mahan Air passenger aircraft. According to Iran, the American jets were thought to be Israeli, and the passenger jet tried to avoid collision. The United States, however, states this it's jets followed proper procedure and stayed 1,000 feet away from the aircraft, while inspecting it. Two passengers onboard the passenger jet were injured in the encounter and taken to the hospital upon emergency landing.{{Cite web|last=CNN|first=Ryan Browne, Barbara Starr, Jennifer Hauser and Paul LeBlanc|title=US confirms fighter jet flew close to Iranian passenger plane for inspection|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/23/politics/us-military-jet-iran-inspection/index.html|access-date=2020-07-24|website=CNN}}== Reactions ===== National ===* {{flag|China}} [[Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China|Foreign Minister]] [[Wang Yi (politician)|Wang Yi]] said regarding the ongoing situation between the U.S. and Iran, "China resolutely opposes the U.S. implementation of unilateral sanctions and so-called 'long arm jurisdiction', understands the current situation and concerns of the Iranian side, and supports the Iranian side to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-iran-idUSKCN1SN1Q2|title=China backs Iran during U.S. tensions|date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818035422/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-iran-idUSKCN1SN1Q2|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live|agency=Reuters}}* {{flag|France}} [[Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs|Foreign Minister]] [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]] said, regarding the nation's stance on tensions between the U.S. and Iran, that France does not need American approval to negotiate with Iran, and he criticized Trump's approach on the tensions alongside other French diplomats calling it "Twitter Diplomacy".{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/france-doesnt-need-us-approval-to-act-on-iran-says-foreign-minister/|title=France doesn't need US approval to act on Iran, says foreign minister|last=Momtaz|first=Rym|date=9 August 2019|website=Politico|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814224947/https://www.politico.eu/article/france-doesnt-need-us-approval-to-act-on-iran-says-foreign-minister/|archive-date=14 August 2019|accessdate=18 August 2019}}* {{flag|India}} On 26 September 2019, [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] met with Iranian President Rouhani at the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] in [[New York City]], the [[Government of India|Indian government]] said about the meeting that Modi had "reiterated India's support for giving priority to diplomacy, dialogue and confidence-building in the interest of maintaining peace, security and stability in the Gulf region".{{cite news|accessdate=2020-04-21|title=PM Modi reaffirms India's support to diplomacy, dialogue for maintaining peace in Persian Gulf|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-modi-reaffirms-indias-support-to-diplomacy-dialogue-for-maintaining-peace-in-persian-gulf/articleshow/71323548.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=27 September 2019}}* {{flag|Oman}} The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Oman)|Omani Foreign Ministry]] released a statement calling upon Iran to release the British oil tanker ''Stena Impero'', which was captured by Iran in response to the British capture of an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar. The ministry also called upon Iran and the United Kingdom to resolve the dispute with diplomacy.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/oman-top-diplomat-iran-talks-mounting-gulf-tensions-190727100852017.html|title=Oman's top diplomat in Iran for talks amid mounting Gulf tensions|publisher=Al Jazeera|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817014651/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/oman-top-diplomat-iran-talks-mounting-gulf-tensions-190727100852017.html|archive-date=17 August 2019|accessdate=18 August 2019}}* {{flag|Pakistan}} Pakistan's [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Foreign Office]] strongly condemned the [[2019 Abqaiq-Khurais attack|drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities]], reiterating its full support and solidarity to [[Saudi Arabia]] against any threat to its security and territorial integrity. "Such acts to sabotage and disrupt commercial activities causing fear and terror cannot be condoned we hope that such attacks will not be repeated given the potential damage they can cause to the existing peaceful environment in the region."{{cite web|url=https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/2056605/1-pakistan-condemns-drone-attack-saudi-oil-facilities/%3famp=1|title=Pakistan condemns drone attack on Saudi oil facilities|website=The Express Tribune|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026131115/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2056605/1-pakistan-condemns-drone-attack-saudi-oil-facilities/%253Famp%3D1/|archive-date=26 October 2019|accessdate=12 October 2019}} On 17 September, [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] [[Imran Khan]] phoned [[Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia|Saudi crown prince]], [[Mohammad Bin Salman]] condemns attack on oil facilities, during the conversation with MBS vowed to full support and solidarity with the brotherly country Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any terrorist attack and reiterated that Pakistan will stand with Saudi Arabia in case of any threat to sanctity or security of Harmain Shareefain.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/527887-pm-imran-phones-prince-salman-condemns-attack-on-saudi-oil-facilities|title=PM Imran phones Saudi Crown Prince, condemns attack on oil facilities|date=17 September 2019|website=TheNews}} Following the targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani Pakistan, Pakistani Army spokesman announced that "Pakistan will not allow their soil to be used against any of the conflicting parties".{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/after-afghanistan-pakistan-says-it-will-not-allow-its-soil-to-be-used-against-anyone/articleshow/73108389.cms?from=mdr|title=After Afghanistan, Pakistan says it will not allow its soil to be used against anyone|date=7 January 2020|via=The Economic Times}} Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Medmood also indicated that "Pakistan will not take sides in the escalating confrontation between neighboring Iran and the United States".{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-iran-pakistan/pakistan-wont-take-sides-in-iran-us-confrontation-foreign-minister-idUSKBN1Z51DT |title=Pakistan won't take sides in Iran–U.S. confrontation: foreign minister |accessdate=15 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115233451/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-iran-pakistan/pakistan-wont-take-sides-in-iran-us-confrontation-foreign-minister-idUSKBN1Z51DT |archive-date=15 January 2020 |url-status=live}}* {{flag|Russia}} [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Russian Foreign Minister]] [[Sergei Lavrov]] questioned American claims about the shoot down of an Iranian drone, saying the evidence was vague, and saying the U.S. had no "intelligent data" to prove the drone was Iranian.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-iran-us-israel-drone-ally-1445802|title=Russia warns the U.S. and Israel that Iran is its "ally" and was right about drone shoot down|first=Tom O'Connor On 6/25/19 at 1:47 PM|last=EDT|date=25 June 2019|website=Newsweek|accessdate=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726095203/https://www.newsweek.com/russia-iran-us-israel-drone-ally-1445802|archive-date=26 July 2019|url-status=live}}* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi crown prince [[Mohammad bin Salman]] said: "We do not want a war in the region{{nbsp}}... But we won't hesitate to deal with any threat to our people, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our vital interests."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/16/iran-tanker-attacks-saudi-crown-prince-wont-hesitate-to-deal-with-any-threat|title=Saudi crown prince tells Iran: 'We won't hesitate to deal with any threat'|date=16 June 2019|work=The Guardian|accessdate=16 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922050254/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/16/iran-tanker-attacks-saudi-crown-prince-wont-hesitate-to-deal-with-any-threat|archive-date=22 September 2019}}* {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} UAE officials met with their Iranian counter-parts including Iran's [[Islamic Republic of Iran Border Guard Command|border police force]] and its head General Qasem Rezaee to discuss naval traffic in the [[Strait of Hormuz]]. According to Iranian state run media, after the meeting the head of the UAE's coast guard was quoted as saying "the intervention of some governments on the front lines of navigations is causing problems in a region that has good relations," while adding "we need to establish security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman."{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/us-troops-saudi-uae-talks-iran-1451791|title=As U.S. troops head to Saudi Arabia, their ally the UAE talks with Iran|last=EDT|first=Tom O'Connor On 7/30/19 at 5:37 PM|date=30 July 2019|website=Newsweek|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818212357/https://www.newsweek.com/us-troops-saudi-uae-talks-iran-1451791|archive-date=18 August 2019|accessdate=18 August 2019}}* {{flag|United States}} In response to Gibraltar, the U.K. released the Iranian oil tanker ''Grace{{nbsp}}1'', which was suspected to be headed towards [[Syria]] with Iranian oil. The U.S. has threatened to sanction anyone who has dealings with ''Grace{{nbsp}}1'' and also expressed disappointment with the United Kingdom for allowing the ship to be released.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-15/gibraltar-court-agrees-to-release-detained-oil-tanker|title=U.S. Unveils Warrant to Seize Iran Ship Stuck at Gibraltar|date=15 August 2019|work=Bloomberg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818224159/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-15/gibraltar-court-agrees-to-release-detained-oil-tanker|archive-date=18 August 2019|accessdate=18 August 2019}}=== Other ===* [[Mullah Krekar]], the former leader of the Iraq-based insurgent group [[Ansar al-Islam]], said that in a war between the U.S. and Iran, should the crisis evolve into one, he would support Iran—it would be similar to supporting [[Hezbollah]] in a war against Israel.{{cite web|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/a6669a10-164d-40f0-b056-cf88d80996f0|title=Kurdish Islamist cleric says he would support Iran if war breaks out with US|website=Kurdistan24|accessdate=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213352/https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/a6669a10-164d-40f0-b056-cf88d80996f0|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}* [[Muqtada al-Sadr]], a [[Shiite]] cleric and leader of [[Peace Companies]], in response to the ongoing tensions posted on [[Twitter]], "War between Iran and the U.S. will be an end of Iraq," and in another instance said, "Any party that would drag Iraq into the war and turn it into a scene for conflict will be an enemy to the Iraqi people," and further stated his view of excluding Iraq from a potential war between the U.S. and Iran saying, "I'm against dragging Iraq into this war and making it a scene for the Iranian-U.S. conflict"{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-iran-war-will-be-end-of-iraq-al-sadr/1482525|title=US-Iran war will be 'end of Iraq': Al-Sadr|website=aa.com.tr|accessdate=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821093033/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-iran-war-will-be-end-of-iraq-al-sadr/1482525|archive-date=21 August 2019|url-status=live}}* {{flagdeco|ISIL}} In [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]]'s weekly online newspaper al-Naba the group's stance on the tensions between the U.S. and Iran was published, the group said it equally opposes both sides and criticized [[al-Qaeda]] for its alleged reliance on Iran and stated had it not been for al-Qaeda's past orders not to attack Iran while ISIL was part of al-Qaeda it would have attacked Iran earlier, and that ISIL would carry out attacks against the U.S. and Iran equally, the article ended with a [[supplication]] asking God to incite a war between Iran and the U.S. so it could bring victory for ISIL.{{cite web|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7qInmuWsAENi1m?format=png&name=900x900|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818203048/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7qInmuWsAENi1m?format=png&name=900x900|archivedate=2019-08-18|title=Wayback Machine|date=18 August 2019}}* {{flag|Gibraltar}} Gibraltar refused U.S. requests to hold an Iranian oil tanker stating it would contradict the law of the [[European Union]]. In a statement the government said, "The EU sanctions regime against Iran—which is applicable in Gibraltar—is much narrower than that applicable in the U.S.," adding "The Gibraltar Central Authority is unable seek an Order of the [[Judiciary of Gibraltar|Supreme Court of Gibraltar]] to provide the restraining assistance required by the United States of America."{{cite web|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/18/08/2019/Gibraltar-refuses-U.S.-request-to-seize-Iranian-tanker|title=Gibraltar refuses U.S. request to seize Iranian tanker|website=thepeninsulaqatar.com|accessdate=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818214215/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/18/08/2019/Gibraltar-refuses-U.S.-request-to-seize-Iranian-tanker|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/gibraltar-rejects-us-request-to-seize-iranian-oil-tanker/2019/08/18/ac573758-c1c4-11e9-8bf7-cde2d9e09055_story.html|title=Gibraltar rejects U.S. request to seize Iranian oil tanker, ship leaves for Greece|website=The Washington Post|accessdate=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818214406/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/gibraltar-rejects-us-request-to-seize-iranian-oil-tanker/2019/08/18/ac573758-c1c4-11e9-8bf7-cde2d9e09055_story.html|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}* {{flagdeco|Syrian Opposition}} On 21 September 2019, the [[Syrian National Coalition]] which represents the [[Syrian Opposition]] and [[Syrian Interim Government]] released a statement after the [[2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack|Abqaiq–Khurais attack]] saying: "The Syrian National Coalition once again warns of the dangers of the inaction towards Iran's actions in [[Iranian involvement in the Syrian Civil War|Syria]], Lebanon, and [[Houthi movement#Allegations of Iranian and North Korean support|Yemen]] and the wars it [[Iran and state-sponsored terrorism|manages]] in the region directly or indirectly as well as its latest aggression against the Kingdom of [[Saudi Arabia]]." Adding "The coalition reaffirms it will continue to stand by the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its fight against terrorism as it extends its thanks and appreciation for the Kingdom's efforts and positions in support of the rights of the Syrian people and their legitimate demands."{{cite press release |url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFApPzwXkAAK-1a?format=jpg&name=900x900 |title=Iranian Regime's Malicious Activities in the Region Requires Radical Solution |publisher=Syrian Coalition |date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925060926/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFApPzwXkAAK-1a?format=jpg&name=900x900 |archive-date=25 September 2019}}* {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} On the 18th anniversary of the [[September 11 attacks]], [[al-Qaeda]]'s leader [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]] in a video commemorating the attacks claimed America had empowered Iran and that the two work together, saying, "It is ironic that Shi'a militias were fighting in Iraq against the self-proclaimed [[Caliphate|Caliph]], [Islamic State leader] [[Ibrahim al-Badri]], with American air and artillery cover, and under the leadership and planning of American advisors. From the battlefield{{nbsp}}..." adding "The point is that Iran has an understanding with the Americans in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. It only differs with them on the returns of this arrangement. At times it signs accords with them; when it is unsuitable for them, it continues its policy of blackmail."{{cite web|url=https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2019/09/12/zawahiri-9-11-speech-america-iran-encourage-regional-terrorism/|title=Al-Qaeda Leader Says America Empowered Iran, Encourages Jihadi Attacks|date=12 September 2019|accessdate=30 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930052719/https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2019/09/12/zawahiri-9-11-speech-america-iran-encourage-regional-terrorism/|archive-date=30 September 2019|url-status=live}}*[[Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran|Reza Pahlavi, heir to the defunct Empire of Iran]], who is exiled in the U.S. said that he supported pressure on Iran and supported the killing of Soleimani "as a breakthrough that is positive for the region". He also said that the Iranian government would collapse "within months" due to the protests.{{cite news |title=Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, says regime is cracking from within |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1618516/middle-east |accessdate=19 May 2020 |work=Arab News |date=26 January 2020}}{{cite news |title=Iranian ex-crown prince predicts Tehran regime will collapse within months |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/01/16/world/politics-diplomacy-world/iranian-ex-crown-prince-predicts-tehran-regime-will-collapse-within-months/#.XsPljGhKjcc |accessdate=19 May 2020 |work=[[The Japan Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=16 January 2020}}== See also =={{Portal|Asia|Modern history|Politics|War|Iran|United States}}* [[2020 Iran explosions]]* [[Iran–United Kingdom relations]]* [[Iran–United States relations]]===Related issues===* [[Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)]]** [[American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present)]]** [[Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)]]** [[Iraqi protests (2019–present)]]* [[Syrian Civil War]]** [[American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War]]===Regional conflicts===* [[Iran–Iraq War]] (1980–1988)* [[Gulf War]] (1990–1991)* [[Iraq War]] (2003)* [[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East]]* [[Second Cold War]]== References =={{Reflist}}== External links ==* [https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cjgn73rz67dt/gulf-crisis Gulf crisis]. [[BBC]]* Mathias Hartwig, [https://www.ejiltalk.org/tanker-games-the-law-behind-the-action/ Tanker Games—The Law Behind the Action], EJIL:Talk (Blog of the European Journal of International Law), 20 August 2019* [[Pirate Party Germany]]: [https://www.piratenpartei.de/2019/07/26/der-iran-und-die-strasse-von-hormuz/ Der Iran und die Straße von Hormuz]—Analysis by Foreign Policy Group of German Pirate Party about the incident* [https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/what-we-know-about-detained-iranian-tanker-grace-1-55529 Timeline of tanker events] * [https://www.vox.com/world/2019/7/8/18693297/us-iran-war-trump-nuclear-iraq A nasty, brutal fight; what a U.S.–Iran war would look like]. The bottom line: It'd be hell on earth. By Alex Ward. Jan 3, 2020{{Iran–United States relations}}{{Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict}}{{Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}{{Middle East conflicts}}{{Ongoing military conflicts}}{{Trump presidency}}{{Authority control}}{{DEFAULTSORT:2019-2020 Persian Gulf crisis}}[[Category:2019–2020 Persian Gulf crisis| ]][[Category:2019 in Iraq]][[Category:2020 in Iraq]][[Category:2019 in Iran]][[Category:2020 in Iran]][[Category:2019 in Saudi Arabia]][[Category:2020 in Saudi Arabia]][[Category:2019 in the United Arab Emirates]][[Category:2020 in the United Arab Emirates]][[Category:21st-century military history of the United Kingdom]][[Category:21st-century military history of the United States]][[Category:Conflicts in 2019]][[Category:Conflicts in 2020]][[Category:Drone warfare]][[Category:History of the Persian Gulf]][[Category:History of the Royal Navy]][[Category:International maritime incidents]][[Category:Iran–Israel proxy conflict]][[Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict]][[Category:Iran–United States military relations]][[Category:Iran–United Kingdom military relations]][[Category:Ongoing conflicts]][[Category:Presidency of Donald Trump]][[Category:Imran Khan administration]]

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}{{short description|Period of military tensions between the US and Iran}}{{Infobox military conflict| conflict = 2019–2020 Persian Gulf crisis| partof = the [[Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict]]| image = {{Photomontage | photo1a = B52 in al udeid base may 2019.jpg | photo1b = Stena Impero 2019-07-21 02.jpg | photo2a = 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force-Iraq at FOB Union III.jpg | photo2b = IMSC Bahrain Headquarters photo, November 24, 2019.jpg | photo3a = Carcasses of MQ-4C Triton 01.jpg | photo3b = Funeral of Qasem Soleimani, Tehran, Mehr 04.jpg | position = center | size = 350 | color = #F5F5F5 | border = 1 | color_border = white | spacing = 0 | foot_montage =}}| caption = '''Clockwise from top''': A U.S. [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52H]] st