Reports have emerged recently that Iran allegedly could be preparing to conduct a military strike in the region in what is presumed to be the last days of President Donald Trump in office.
The American troops currently deployed to the Middle East region have been placed on “heightened alert” due to a potential strike by Iran, Politico reported on Thursday, citing a military official.
Rumours have arisen recently that reducing US military personnel in the Middle East, namely in Iraq and Afghanistan, would provide an opportunity for Iran to carry out military strikes in the region. An Axios report also claimed last month that the Israeli military was put on alert over fears of potential retaliatory attacks against Israel by Iran.
Top US general in the Middle East, CENTCOM chief Frank McKenzie has confirmed Thursday reports of a drawdown of American diplomatic personnel in Iraq to reduce exposure to possible Iranian attacks. The move, described as small-scale and temporary, is timed to the upcoming first anniversary of the US airstrike that killed Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani on 3 January.
Speculation over a potential military attack has intensified following the assassination of Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Iranian officials have accused the Israeli government of targeting Fakhrizadeh for a long time, claiming he was killed by its Mossad intelligence agency and pledging to…
