US President Donald Trump has vowed to launch sanctions on Iraq after the parliament votes to ban the American forces presence in the country.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Sunday, the American commander-in-chiefs comments came as tensions were spiraling between Tehran and Washington over the US assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Trump further defended his earlier remarks about striking Irans cultural sites, falsely accusing Tehran of terrorism.
"Theyre allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people and were not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesnt work that way," he said.
This is while targeting cultural sites with military action is considered a war crime under the international law, a point previously brought up by Iranian officials.
"We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base thats there. It cost billions of dollars to build, long before my time. Were not leaving unless they pay us back for it," he said.
The president vowed to introduce sanctions on Baghdad, ones even harsher than those imposed on Iran.
"We will charge them sanctions like theyve never seen before ever. Itll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame," Trump said.
Tehran has vowed to retaliate the terrorist attack that led to the martyrdom of the General Soleimani on Thursday.
Thousands of mourners took to the streets in the region to pay homage to the anti-terrorism hero, a household name in Iran.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/12533
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