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US-Iran tensions escalate after Trump-ordered attack

Is war with Iran more likely than ever?

Contributors: Vox Staff

A Trump-ordered US airstrike in Iraq has killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s paramilitary forces, in what represents a major escalation in Washington’s conflict with Tehran. The blowback may be huge, and much depends on how well prepared the United States is for Iran’s response and that of its many proxies in the Middle East.

The attack is the latest flashpoint in a string of events this year pushing tensions between the two countries to new heights. The Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions has seen Iran respond with violent provocations — from attacking tankers in the Persian Gulf to striking Saudi oil facilities. But the surprising and aggressive move by the Trump administration has many asking whether the US is now destined for war with Iran, and what the shape of that conflict might look like.

87 Total Updates Since
Jul 17, 2017, 3:10pm EDT
  • January 8, 2020

    Dominance and reputation: How Trump thinks about Iran

    By Andrew Prokop

    What’s likely behind Trump’s risky provocations.

  • January 8, 2020

    I’m Iranian American. I’m tired of being treated like a political pawn.

    By Mana Kharrazi

    The dehumanization of people in the Middle East has led us to endless war.

  • January 8, 2020

    Trump’s “Mission Accomplished” moment?

    By Zack Beauchamp

    Trump’s Iran statement was a premature declaration of victory.

  • January 8, 2020

    A political scientist explains why a war with Iran wouldn’t necessarily help Trump in 2020

    By Sean Illing

    The "rally around the flag" effect is real, but under specific circumstances.

  • January 8, 2020

    Trump’s Iran speech seemed like a victory lap. It actually made things worse.

    By Alex Ward

    This was not the Iran "victory" speech Trump needed to give.

  • January 8, 2020

    Trump: No war with Iran — at least for now

    By Alex Ward

    "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world," the president said.

  • January 8, 2020

    Iran attacks 2 US military targets in Iraq: What we know so far

    By Alex Ward

    This was in retaliation for the US killing Qassem Soleimani. Trump said "All is well!" and no casualties have been reported so far.

  • January 8, 2020

    Iran just fired missiles at US military targets. What does this mean?

    By Jen Kirby

    An expert weighs in on Iran’s apparent response to Soleimani’s death.

  • January 7, 2020

    It’s all up to Trump now

    By Zack Beauchamp

    Iran’s attacks on US bases in Iraq could be the end — or the beginning of something far worse. Which road we go down is almost entirely up to the president.

  • January 7, 2020

    The US is worried about Iran retaliating with a cyberattack

    By Sara Morrison

    Iran’s formidable cyber arsenal includes malware and DoS attacks.

  • January 7, 2020

    Pompeo’s shifting reasons for killing Soleimani puts the strike on shaky legal ground

    By Aaron Rupar

    It was initially about an "imminent" threat.

  • January 7, 2020

    Nearly 200 Iranian Americans were detained at the US-Canada border

    By Nicole Narea

    They were interrogated for up to 10 hours about their political views and allegiances.

  • January 7, 2020

    The Iraq War hawks are back

    By Jane Coaston

    Some of the biggest backers of the Iraq War sure have a lot of opinions on Iran.

  • January 7, 2020

    How Iran sees Soleimani’s killing

    By Jen Kirby

    An expert explains the possible fallout in Tehran.

  • January 7, 2020

    The only remaining check on Trump is the 2020 election

    By Ian Millhiser

    Our legal system was not built for a president like Donald Trump.

  • January 7, 2020

    Democrats want to check Trump on Iran — but Congress can only do so much

    By Li Zhou

    Democrats are pushing a vote on a resolution in order to put pressure on Republicans.

  • January 6, 2020

    Pompeo: Trump doesn’t want to bomb Iran’s cultural sites. Trump: Yes I do.

    By Aaron Rupar

    Mike Pompeo’s Sunday TV appearances illustrated the Trump administration’s complete lack of credibility.

  • January 6, 2020

    Trump’s threat to commit war crimes by bombing Iran’s cultural sites, explained

    By Zack Beauchamp

    His nakedly illegal threat serves to expose the brutal essence of Trump’s Iran war.

  • January 6, 2020

    Trump wants US troops out of Iraq, but says Iraq would face sanctions for expelling them

    By Sean Collins

    Iraq’s parliament passed a nonbinding resolution on expelling US troops Sunday.

  • January 6, 2020

    “These Media Posts will serve as notification”: Trump’s dangerous Iran tweets, briefly explained

    By Aaron Rupar

    The president capped off a weekend of tweeting with one that threatens to violate multiple laws.

  • January 6, 2020

    Trump’s reckless Middle East policy has brought the US to the brink of war

    By Daniel Byman

    Why the killing of Qassem Soleimani comes at precisely the wrong time.

  • January 5, 2020

    Iran announces it will no longer adhere to 2015 nuclear deal limits

    By Riley Beggin

    Iran will no longer limit the number of centrifuges it operates, but will still allow oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  • January 5, 2020

    Trump threatens new attacks on Iran, as Iranian leaders compare him to ISIS

    By Riley Beggin

    Trump said the US would attack 52 sites in Iran should the country retaliate for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.

  • January 5, 2020

    Iraqi parliament approves a resolution on expelling US troops after Soleimani killing

    By Riley Beggin

    Iraq’s prime minister said it’s time to "reorganize the relationship."

  • January 4, 2020

    There’s little evidence to support Pence’s tweets tying Qassem Soleimani to 9/11

    By Isaac Saul

    Pence claimed the Iranian military leader helped some of the 9/11 hijackers, but there’s really no evidence to suggest this is the case.