The US and Iran Step Back... Will the Rising Tensions in the Middle East Subside? (Comprehensive Report 2)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Kim Bong-su] On the 8th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that there were no American casualties in Iran's attack and announced that he would strengthen economic sanctions instead of military retaliation. Although Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Iraq the day before, it was a limited provocation with prior notice and no casualties, indicating reluctance to escalate into full-scale war. This was interpreted as the U.S. not intending to further escalate the conflict and heighten the crisis.

In a speech at the White House at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, President Trump addressed the missile attacks on two U.S. military bases in Iraq the previous day, stating, "No Americans were injured or killed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime, all our soldiers are safe, and there was minimal damage to the military bases." He added, "Thanks to prior measures, early warnings, and dispersed deployment, there were no casualties among Americans or Iraqis."

President Trump continued, "Our great military is ready to take any action," but made it clear that he would not pursue military retaliation. He said, "It seems Iran is backing down. This is very good for the whole world and for all parties involved." His remarks came amid assessments that although Iran attacked two U.S. bases, it effectively gave prior notice through Iraq and avoided casualties, reflecting a limited gamble to avoid escalating into full-scale war.

President Trump emphasized, "The U.S. military is stronger than ever," but added, "We do not want to use it. Both America's military and economic power are the greatest deterrents." He referenced the killing of Sunni extremist group Islamic State (IS) leader al-Baghdadi in November last year, highlighting cooperation in operations against Iran and IS, and proposed to the Iranian leadership and people that Iran is ready to embrace peace, expressing a desire for Iran's prosperity and cooperation with the international community.

However, President Trump announced a policy to impose strong economic sanctions on Iran. He stated, "We will immediately impose additional economic sanctions on the Iranian regime in response to Iran's aggression," emphasizing, "Strong sanctions will remain in place until the Iranian government changes its behavior."

He strongly criticized the Iranian regime's pursuit of terrorism and nuclear weapons development, justifying the U.S. killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, on the 3rd. President Trump said, "Iran has led terrorism sponsorship and pursued nuclear weapons development threatening the civilized world. Soleimani recently directed attacks against Americans in Iraq and coordinated attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. By eliminating Soleimani, we sent a strong message to terrorists."

Regarding the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreed upon in 2013 between Iran and major countries including the U.S., Europe, China, and Russia, President Trump said that despite the agreement, Iran's hostile actions and terrorism sponsorship increased. He stated, "The deeply flawed JCPOA is about to expire and will provide Iran with a fast and clear path to nuclear development," urging the UK, Germany, France, Russia, and China to recognize this reality and call for a new agreement. He notably began his speech by saying, "As long as I am president, Iran will never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons."

President Trump also noted that the U.S. is the world's top producer of oil and natural gas and no longer needs Middle Eastern oil, calling on NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and European countries to take a more active role in the Middle East.

Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper were present during the speech, reflecting the serious atmosphere.

Earlier, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched retaliatory attacks by firing more than a dozen ballistic missiles at at least two U.S. military bases in Iraq, including Ain al-Asad Airbase and Erbil base, in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad airport on the 3rd. The Revolutionary Guard named the operation "Shahid (Martyr) Soleimani," clearly indicating its retaliatory nature.

However, there were no reported U.S. casualties. President Trump tweeted, "All is well!" and "So far, so good!" In contrast, Iranian state media, citing senior Revolutionary Guard sources, claimed that at least 80 American terrorists were killed. The Revolutionary Guard threatened to attack the U.S. mainland, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Haifa and Tel Aviv in Israel if the U.S. retaliated. As a result, airlines worldwide canceled flights to the Middle East, putting the world on high alert. International financial markets were hit hard, with stock prices plunging and global oil prices soaring.

AP News assessed, "The U.S. and Iran each stepped back from the brink of war," noting that "President Trump appeared focused on resolving the newly heightened crisis following his approval of Soleimani's killing last week."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.