The official blowback from the strike against Iranian General Soleimani is already starting.
Over the weekend, Iran announced that it is abandoning nuclear limits put in place by the deal signed during the Obama administration.
Nuclear Capabilities
Very early on in this administration, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal.
He did so because he believed Iran was already in violation of the agreement.
Today, that is no longer an issue, as Iran has officially declared it is no longer subject to the limitations under that agreement.
State TV announced, “The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations.”
Iran has left the door open to negotiating its nuclear capabilities with EU leaders, but it would appear the negotiating window with the United States is now closed.
Rising Tensions
Adding a bit more fuel to the fire was a new resolution voted on by Iraq’s lawmakers.
The resolution calls for the removal of all foreign military personnel, which would include the more than 5,000 U.S. troops that are on the ground there.
The outgoing prime minister has already supported the resolution, but it will still have to get approval from the Iraq government.
When the announcement was made, President Trump was furious due to the significant investment the United States has made in regard to its military presence in Iraq.
He stated, “We have a very extraordinarily expensive airbase that’s there.
“It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time. We’re not leaving unless they pay us back for it.
“If they do ask us to leave, if we don’t do it in a very friendly basis, we will charge them sanctions like they’ve never seen before ever.
“It’ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.
“We’re not leaving until they pay us back for it.”
While all of this is going on, the House is about to introduce legislation that would effectively tie Trump’s hands in regard to any further military action being taken against Iran without congressional approval.