LONDON — The price of oil surged Friday on concerns that Iran might respond to the killing of its top general by the United States by disrupting global supplies of energy from the Mideast. If sustained, the rise in oil prices could lead to more expensive car fuel, heating and...
US Kills Iran's Most Powerful General in Baghdad Air Strike
BAGDHAD, IRAQ — The United States killed Iran's top general and the architect of Tehran’s proxy wars in the Middle East in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport Friday, an attack that threatens to dramatically ratchet up tensions in the region. The targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of...
Iran's Gen. Soleimani Killed in Airstrike at Baghdad Airport
BAGDHAD, IRAQ — Gen. Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, was killed in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport Friday, Iraqi television and three Iraqi officials said. The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, or...
Militiamen Breach US Embassy in Baghdad; Trump Blames Iran
BAGHDAD — Angered by deadly airstrikes targeting an Iran-backed militia, dozens of Iraqi Shiite militiamen and their supporters broke into the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area in one of the worst attacks on the embassy in recent...
Iraq President Rejects Iran-Backed Bloc's Nominee as PM
BAGHDAD — Iraq's president refused Thursday to designate the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc's nominee for prime minister after he was rejected by anti-government protesters, saying he was prepared to submit his resignation to Parliament. Barham Saleh said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor...
Iraqi Officials: 3 More Protesters Killed in Central Baghdad
BAGHDAD — Three people died and 24 were wounded in renewed clashes in central Baghdad between anti-government demonstrators and security forces, bringing the death toll for the day to seven, Iraqi security and hospital officials said Thursday. The clashes, the deadliest in recent days, erupted on the capital’s Rasheed Street,...
Iraqi Police Fire Shots, Tear Gas at Protesters; 8 Killed
BAGHDAD — Iraqi police fired live shots into the air as well as rubber bullets and dozens of tear gas canisters Friday to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters, sending young demonstrators running for cover and enveloping a main bridge in the capital Baghdad with thick white smoke. Eight protesters were...
Iraq's Top Cleric Urges Calm as Deadly Clashes Continue
BAGHDAD — Security forces opened fire on hundreds of anti-government demonstrators Friday in central Baghdad, killing one protester, hours after Iraq's top Shiite cleric warned both sides to end four days of deadly violence "before it's too late." At least 43 people have died in clashes during the continuing protests,...
US Beefing up Forces in Middle East to Counter Iran
WASHINGTON — The U.S. will send hundreds of additional troops and a dozen fighter jets to the Middle East in the coming weeks to counter what the Pentagon said is an escalating campaign by Iran to plan attacks against the U.S. and its interests in the region. And for the...
Trump to Iran: Don’t Threaten US or It Will Face ‘Official End’
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump warned Iran early Monday not to threaten the United States again or it would face its "official end," shortly after a rocket landed near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad overnight and only 48 hours after he seemingly sought to soften his tone....