Rocket attack near US Baghdad embassy had Iran’s signature. Trump spurns Saudi bid for US strike on Yemeni Houthis

Both sides said they don’t seek war, yet US-Iranian war tensions were notched up again on Sunday, May 19, by a single rocket that missed the US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone. US President Donald was furious: “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!” he tweeted.

A few hours earlier, Iran’s new IRGC chief Gen. Hossein Salami piled on the anti-US provocations by commenting on Iranian TV: “The difference between us and them is that they are afraid of war and don’t have the will for it.” His comment, DEBKAfile’s military and intelligence sources report, came after President Trump turned down a request from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz to launch direct US air strikes on Yemeni Houthis, in response to this Iranian ally’s explosive drone attack on two Saudi oil pumping stations on May 14. The king argued that Washington could not afford to continue its policy of non-response to Iranian attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure, including four tankers opposite the UAE’s Fujairah port. He proposed that the Washington punish Tehran through its Yemeni ally so as to avoid directly confronting Iran. However, the US President, loath to expand US intervention in the Yemen war, insisted on holding it down to supplying Saudi and UAE warplanes with intelligence, bombs and fuel.

This passive response, plus the US administration’s consent to hold low-key, non-binding, tentative talks with Iranian officials, without demanding that Tehran desist from its attacks, appears to be egging the Iranians on to carry on with a form of brinkmanship.

Iran precisely calculated its sabotage attacks on the four tankers to fall short of sinking them or causing casualties; it likewise computed the drone attacks to damage without destroying the Saudi pumping stations. In the same way, the Katyusha rocket launched against Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone on Sunday night had a shock effect without causing real harm. The rocket “missed” the US embassy to strike an empty building nearby that once housed a security detail. But the rocket was fired from Baghdad University in the center of the Iraqi capital and so could not be blamed on a local Shiite militia.

Iran’s campaign of indirect, miss-rather than-hit strikes on America are taking their toll on US deterrence. They have spread out from the Gulf into Syria to locations opposite Israel. The accounts of an Israeli missile strike on Friday night, May 17 on Iranian and Hizballah forces at Al-Kiswah, south of Damascus, were overblown. Just a few missiles were fired, and their target was a very small Iranian facility being put in place at the Syrian Army’s 1st Division headquarters opposite Israel’s Golan border. That target was hit and destroyed.

As the escalation continues, the US and its allies may soon be forced to answer some hard questions: For how long can Iran’s low-key, indirect pinprick attacks go on without spiraling to a more dangerous level? And how will Washington, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi or Jerusalem react for the first casualties?

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46 thoughts on “Rocket attack near US Baghdad embassy had Iran’s signature. Trump spurns Saudi bid for US strike on Yemeni Houthis

  • May 20, 2019 @ 10:33 at 10:33
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    Good for Trump! He does not want to start an actual war. The economic war is going great. As long as iran doesnt actually do anything major…these baby jabs will be OK. They might run out of money soon anyway as the sanctions bite even more.

    • May 20, 2019 @ 11:25 at 11:25
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      On the other hand a flotability study on the mullahs’ regime shows that the only way to avoid sinking is to print every morning this last Trump’s tweet, and read it one more time, as to learn it by heart and prevent any misunderstanding.

      Then, the mullahs should make a tea out of it, and sip it slowly while reflecting to the old misunderstanding with Hiroshima, followed 3 days later by a even more surprising misunderstanding with Nagasaki.

      The best thing to do is to listen good and stay out of harm’s way

      • May 20, 2019 @ 13:11 at 13:11
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        The Dotard’s tweets are stand-ins for real action, better used for toilet paper than tea.

        • May 20, 2019 @ 14:10 at 14:10
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          How is it that Trump is the one who is afraid, if Iran is deliberately missing the target?

          • May 21, 2019 @ 4:57 at 4:57
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            More stupid propaganda from a source that blames Iran for both the sunset and the sunrise.

            If Debka said the Cat in the Hat bombed the heart of Occupied Iraq (featuring an image of Thing 1 and Thing 2), would you believe it?

        • May 20, 2019 @ 19:31 at 19:31
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          3 carrier groups provide some healthy targets for freshly upgraded missile systems.

          Carriers are so last century as an effective weapon of war. In a real conflict, they’re just sitting ducks, and their life expectancy would be measured in hours or days.

          • May 20, 2019 @ 20:56 at 20:56
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            aryan ırkı ülkeler iranla aynı ırkta olduğu için kardeştirler akrabadırlar ve iranın destekçileridir ayrıca kökleri islam ülkesine dayanan tagalog moğol malay melez ırkı olan kuzey kore ve çinde iranın destekçisidir

          • May 20, 2019 @ 21:25 at 21:25
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            counter attack would spiral out of control, perhaps a miss not an actual hit on a carrier

          • May 20, 2019 @ 22:01 at 22:01
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            One Attack on any Carriers only means a Healthy Barrage on Iranian Air Force Destroyed, Naval Ships Sunk, and Oil Port Facilities Embargoed just like what Happen in 1989 when Iran attempted to Mine the Arabian Gulf and that Destruction Happen in all in One Day!

            The Iranian’s Regime Caved in One Day and came to Bahrain to Pick their Sailors from Sunken Ships at their Expense! US Naval Power Wears Out Those That Do Not Have Power At All? Plus, a Message needs to be sent to North Korea, and China as well.

            Nothing is going Happen as Iran Stands Down or Willing to Sit Down to Talk about How to Behave Better than Ever with a New Signature!

      • May 20, 2019 @ 13:51 at 13:51
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        ‘The best thing to do is to listen good and stay out of harm’s way’

        yeah, you’re right, like the inerrant TaNaKH says, you’d better run

        • May 20, 2019 @ 22:23 at 22:23
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          America is far away and out of “Harms Way”, but “American Naval Might” is Right on “Iran’s Frightful Shores Doors”, and the “Iranian Regime”, can’t do anything about American Sailing Anywhere the “Ships Of Deaths” want, can, and Iran’s Accepts it!

          Persia has not Won a Major Global Battle ever since Alexander removed Persia from remaining a Global Empire for Eternity! The Ayatollahs since 1979 are good at being on “Bended Knees” for “Prayers Out Loud”, while “Shiia Cheerleaders Servants in Skirts Shout “Death to Someone”, but Prove Every Time they are Never Capable to Do It?

          Talk Is Cheap like Sheep in Skirts Babbling but Men of Actions are Not Afraid being in Harms Way Anytime and Anywhere!

          • May 20, 2019 @ 22:35 at 22:35
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            iran ist kaput
            nicht mehr im spiel
            es ist eine viel zu lange 40-jährige fahrt gewesen
            kaput kaput total kaput

          • May 21, 2019 @ 5:02 at 5:02
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            Tell that to the Shah, tool of Zionism.

            Palestine’s occupiers have lost every conflict since he fled to the US.

          • May 21, 2019 @ 16:10 at 16:10
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            Yes, when they’re not schtooping sheep and goats, the mullahs and ayatollahs are busy getting sodomized themselves.

        • May 25, 2019 @ 17:42 at 17:42
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          You should start study little history before you fart out your thought. Persian Gulf for EVEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRR

      • May 20, 2019 @ 15:58 at 15:58
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        aryan ırkı ülkeler iranın destekçisidir hint-avrupa dil ailesinden akraba olan rusya iranın destekçisidir moğol malay melez ırkı olan kökleri islam ülkelerine dayanan çin ve kuzey kore iranın destekçisidir ayrıca aryan kardeş oldukları pakistan ve hindistan ranın destekçisidir yani abd ve nato hiçbirşey yapamaz libyada ırakta afganistanda yaptığı gibi yapamazlar yapmasınlarda belalarını zorla aramasın abd nato

  • May 20, 2019 @ 11:57 at 11:57
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    With Trump it can go every direction.War or no war time will tell.Another fine day in the gulf region.

    • May 20, 2019 @ 15:48 at 15:48
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      iranın arkasında tahmin etmediğiniz güçler vardır allahın izniyle iran aryan ırkı olduğu için kardeşleri olan hindistan pakistan moğol malay melez ırkı olan kökleri islam ülkelerine dayanan çin kuzey korede ve hint avrupa dil ailesinden akraba olduğu rusyada iranın arkasındaki destekleyicileridir allahın izniyle yani abd nato birşey yapamaz

    • May 20, 2019 @ 16:03 at 16:03
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      aryan ırkı ülkeler hem iranla kardeş hemde akraba hemde iranın destekçileridir

  • May 20, 2019 @ 12:37 at 12:37
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    Despite 5 years of a siege, the Saud family pedophiles cannot defeat the poorest nation in the hemisphere.

    The Mossad propaganda portal now blames THIS on Iran, too?

    Pathetic.

    • May 20, 2019 @ 15:45 at 15:45
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      netanyahu katildir siyonist olmayasıca yahudidir 3 yaşındaki çocuklara katledekadın yaşlı saygı göstermeden direk soykırım yapan zalimlerdir israilin sonu er yada geç yakındır inşallah ayrıca iranın arkasında çin kuzey kore hindistan vardır bunu unutmayın irana olacak savaşta iran hiçbir zaman yalnız olmaz dinsizin hakkından imansız gelir inşallah

  • May 20, 2019 @ 13:03 at 13:03
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    Trump has more statesmanship than the combination of Clinton George W and Obama. He knows how to take in the variables and decide. Professional politicians know how to trade favours for money, get reelected and spell out the BS to fool the electorate

    • May 20, 2019 @ 15:02 at 15:02
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      Nope. They are all idiots, including Trump

  • May 20, 2019 @ 15:01 at 15:01
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    Yet again the tail is wagging the dog in the US…

  • May 20, 2019 @ 16:47 at 16:47
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    The Iranian nuclear installations will soon be toast. The good people of Iran deserve their country back and the world needs to be rid of the hatred and destruction that their “leadership” continues to spread.

  • May 20, 2019 @ 17:57 at 17:57
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    Sadly for Iran, there tactics aren’t working, there plan to hold out and wait out the Trump administration failed miserably, especially when they see what the Democratic party looks like, they’ve just realized that there’s gonna be another 5 years of Trump, and now they are trying to Drag Trump into a war to damage his popularity and give creepy Joe Biden a fighting chance in this election.

    • May 20, 2019 @ 20:09 at 20:09
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      The Democrat Party want to turn the US into Venezuela.

      The American people will never go for it.

      Trump will get re-elected to the consternation of Eurabia and Jihadis everywhere.

  • May 20, 2019 @ 19:22 at 19:22
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    Repeat:Amiericns will not attack Soviet protectors.Trump is courageous on twiter.Believe me.

    • May 20, 2019 @ 19:34 at 19:34
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      But Mr. Fake bone spurs is a complete coward in real life like all con men and snake oil salesmen.

  • May 20, 2019 @ 20:10 at 20:10
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    Mustafa Kemal Atakurk is Watching Over You Children

  • May 20, 2019 @ 21:47 at 21:47
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    Quick! Prepare 72 virgins and keep them handy.
    Also, a new of each: right hand, prostate, and a copulation shaft.
    The ayatollah might finally come!

  • May 20, 2019 @ 21:49 at 21:49
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    Ball One: Hamas
    Hamas March Of Rockets & Fire Kites On Gaza Border!
    Ball Two: Iran
    Saudi Oil Tankers Attack By IRG Underwater Scuba!!
    Ball Three: Houthis Yemen
    Houthis Drone Attack On Saudi Pipelines!!!
    Ball Four: Iraq-Iran Shiia
    Iraqi’s Shiia Rocket Into Green Zone!!!!

    Time For Change Up Pitcher
    Strike One: Israel
    Israeli IDF Ground & Air Attacks Ready & Waiting?

    Strike Two: America
    US Navy Carrier Fleet In The Arabian Gulf??

    Strike Three: Arabian Gulf States
    Diplomat Families Exodus Out Of Middle East???

    The “Game of Thrones” ending on TV but continues in the Middle East and when European Diplomats Exit the Middle East that will be the Sign when this Deep Ball Game goes into Extra Innings or Ends with an Iran Regime Ayatollah No Longer Boastful Nor Hopeful Agreement?!?!

    We know soon whether “The Middle East”, Ends as “The Missile East” Ashes, or Begins “The Mediate East”, for Peaceful Middle East?

    • May 21, 2019 @ 1:30 at 1:30
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      The Middle East has already ended as Middle East amber not ashes.

    • May 21, 2019 @ 5:09 at 5:09
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      In addition to arming them to the teeth and providing them endless propaganda cover, Zionist stooges like GingerStool are begging for the US to fight their battles.

      Yet crickets from The Chief Twit, your beloved game show host.

  • May 20, 2019 @ 23:42 at 23:42
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    May the Almighty God of Israel guide and protect President Trump ! Amen !

  • May 21, 2019 @ 2:54 at 2:54
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    America afraid of war? what war? in 30 minutes Iran will be begging for a cease fire as they are shakin’ and wetting their big boy pant’s..war war is something that last’s awhile…they won’t survive to see the sun set after we begin the attack…they’ve had it coming for 1500 year’s

    • May 21, 2019 @ 5:18 at 5:18
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      “I think things have gotten so bad inside Iraq, from the standpoint of the Iraqi people, my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”

  • May 21, 2019 @ 3:30 at 3:30
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    Good to see that Trump didn’t take the bait.
    That’s real leadership there.
    The meek shall inherit the earth.

  • May 21, 2019 @ 7:07 at 7:07
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    “By way of deception” ~Mossad,

    Jews up to the same old Jewie tactics,

    • May 21, 2019 @ 11:12 at 11:12
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      Nah, Mossad has no tactics.
      And they are limited to only this one strategy “win every time, all the time”

      • May 21, 2019 @ 14:09 at 14:09
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        Really?

        Hamas can’t throw bottle rockets from the Gaza Concentration Camp? The squatter army occupies southern Lebanon?

        Is their invincibility why they steal AhedTamimi from her home at 4 in the morning and why they use drones on kites?!

    • May 21, 2019 @ 16:17 at 16:17
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      Hey Baboon, Mossad is a SPY agency, like the CIA, MI6.

      Happy Nakba!

      • May 21, 2019 @ 17:00 at 17:00
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        The Swine’s favorite Concentration Camp ever is which of the following:

        a) Dachau
        b) Gaza
        c) Bergen-Belsen
        d) Treblinka

        • May 21, 2019 @ 19:50 at 19:50
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          My favorite Camp will be the RADIOACTIVE CRATER located where Tehran once stood.

          Happy Nakba!

  • May 21, 2019 @ 17:34 at 17:34
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    Clearly, the Iranian Shiia Regime are Proving it is Incapable of Properly Providing Prosperity to any Middle East Community, City, Nation, and Lead any Islamic Caliphate not just since 1979, but dates back to 632 for the entire Islamic Civilization.

    This is why the Iranian Regime needs to be Removed and why Allah has not Favored them as they have caused Chaos, Ruination and Devastation to any Nation they have Funded to Terrorize as seen in Yemen, Iraq, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. None of the People, Women, and Children in those Nations Thriving Living in Peaceful Prosperity but continue to barely Survive Misery and Poverty except the Selfish Brutal Leadership that seek Blood not Salvation.

    Allah has Ordained the Iranian Shiia as the Biggest Losers and Threat to Islam Blessings in World History and the Iranian Shiia cannot prove otherwise!

  • May 21, 2019 @ 19:26 at 19:26
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    How do we know that the missile attack in Baghdad was Iranian? Is there any evidence? It could be anyone – Taliban, ISIS, Saudi, etc. Even the Chinese and/or Russians might want the U.S. to get distracted and impoverished with another long war in the Middle East. A U.S. war with Iran would be devastating to that country, but it is pretty much unwinnable, given the size and terrain of Iran; it would destroy the Trump presidency, the U.S. economy, and the world economy, and inflame 1 billion Muslims. Personally, I would rather keep my social security money than spend another $2 trillion to shut up the clowns in Tehran – just to keep oil companies happy so that my fellow brain-dead Americans can drive giant SUVs to the Mall to buy donuts and get (more) obese.

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