Donald Trump threatens Iran – again – if it attacks U.S. in Iraq
President Donald Trump spoke after Iran launched missiles on bases in Iraq where American troops are stationed. USA Today fact-checked his assertions. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump issued another tweeted threat to Iran on Wednesday, saying he would retaliate if the Tehran government struck again at U.S. interests in Iraq.
"Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq," Trump tweeted. "If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!"
Trump, who did not detail the plot, made the threat less than an hour after receiving a foreign intelligence briefing at the White House.
Later at abriefing, Trump said the intelligence indicating an attack was sound.
"We just have information that they were planning something and its very good information," Trump said.
He added: "Were just saying dont do it. Dont do it. It'd be a very bad thing for them if they did."
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq continually threaten to attack U.S. and allied forces, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Threats arrive in a daily stream.
Some of the more visible threats have been issued by the Kataib Hezbollah militia, the group responsible for rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq that have killed American troops and contractors.
One such attack,onMarch 11,killed two U.S. troops.
The militia recently posted a video called Hunting Crows, which shows rockets being fired at night and purports to be a training exercise for attacking U.S. troops, the source said. Another group has threatened that U.S. forces that arrive by air will be sent home dead.
Relations between the U.S. and Iran have been tense for decades, but especially in recent months.
In early January, Trump authorized a drone strike that killed a high-ranking Iranian general,Qassem Soleimani.
The strike was part of a tit-for-tat that included Iranian attacks on U.S.-backed Iraqi militias in Iraq. After Soleimani's death, the Iranians launched an airstrike on a military base in Iraq that housed several American troops, injuring many but not killing anyone.
The new threats come as both the United States and Iran battlethe spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
More: Exclusive: Americans say Soleimani's killing made US less safe, Trump 'reckless' on Iran
The U.S. and Iran have also exchanged harshwords during the epidemic.
Even before the coronavirus, Iran's economy was being battered by U.S. sanctions. Officials in Tehran have criticized the U.S. for maintaining those sanctions in the face of the crisis.
Late last month,Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Iran had refused American aid for addressing the coronavirus threat. At the same time, Pompeo criticized Iranian leaderAyatollah Ali Khameneifor spreading conspiracy theories that the United States caused the pandemic.
Trump did not explain what he meant byinformation and belief in a new Iranian plot, but analysts pointed out that those are legal phrases.
"'Information and belief'isnt an intelligence term," tweeted attorney George Conway, the spouse of Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. "Its a phrase used in legal pleadings to make allegations, which is why Individual-1 is so familiar with it."
Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/01/donald-trump-threatens-iran-again-if-attacks-u-s-iraq/5104981002/
See the rest here:
Donald Trump threatens Iran - again - if it attacks U.S. in Iraq
- Trump says all meetings with Iran are off until crackdown on protesters ends - CNN - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- At least 2,571 killed in Iran's protests, Trump says 'help is on the way' - Reuters - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Heres What to Know About the Protests in Iran - The New York Times - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- More than 2,000 people reported killed at Iran protests as Trump says 'help is on its way' - BBC - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Column | Could Iran go the way of Venezuela? - The Washington Post - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Iran latest: Man, 26, to be executed today, says rights group - and more than 2,500 protesters killed - Sky News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Opinion | Ive waited for this electrifying moment in Iran for 10 years - The Washington Post - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Trump warns US will take very strong action if Iran starts executing arrested protesters - The Guardian - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Iran protest updates: Trump to Iranians- keep protesting, help on the way - Al Jazeera - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Why Iran cant afford to shut down the internet forever even if the world doesnt act - The Conversation - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Iran protests: what we know so far about the spiralling anti-government demonstrations - The Guardian - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- 7 highlights from Trump's interview with CBS News: Iran, Renee Good, Jerome Powell and his own morality - CBS News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Oil prices rise more than 2% after Trump cancels meetings with Iran, tells protesters help is on the way - CNBC - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Why the massive Iran protests havent toppled its clerical establishment - The Times of Israel - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Trump urges Iran protesters to "take over" government institutions - Axios - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- A long, dire history of US interference in Iran | Letters - The Guardian - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Israeli and Arab officials have privately suggested U.S. hold off on Iran strikes - NBC News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Access to Elon Musks Starlink internet service is now free in Iran as regime continues brutal crackdown on protests - CNN - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Trump pressures Iran with tariffs that could raise prices in the US - AP News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- 'Now there's the threat of executions' in Iran - BBC - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Decision time for Trump on Iran but what does he ultimately want? - BBC - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Jeremy Bowen: Authoritarian regimes die gradually then suddenly, but Iran is not there yet - BBC - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Protests in Iran: Is war with the US or Israel really imminent? - Euronews.com - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Trump threatens Greenland and Iran at meeting with oil bosses on Venezuela US politics live - The Guardian - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Khamenei says Iran wont back down amid mass protests and Trump threat - The Washington Post - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Is this time different in Iran? - vox.com - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Opinion | How Trump Makes Good on His Threat to Iran - The Wall Street Journal - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- How Trump Could Help the People of Iran - The Atlantic - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iran protests are the biggest in years to challenge the regime. Here's what to know. - cbsnews.com - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Grave Concern That State Massacre of Protesters is Underway in Iran Amid Internet Blackout - Center for Human Rights in Iran - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Growing protests in Iran do not necessarily herald a return to monarchy - The Guardian - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- A timeline of how the protests in Iran unfolded and grew - AP News - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Internet and phones cut in Iran as protesters heed exiled prince's call for mass demonstration - AP News - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iran protests latest: At least 62 killed as Ayatollah threatens harsher crackdown - The Independent - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- At least 51 people killed during protests so far, rights group says | Iran International - - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Why Theres No Starlink Access During Nationwide Shutdown in Iran? - IranWire - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Why are there huge protests going on in Iran? - BBC - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iran judiciary chief vows there will be 'decisive' punishment for protesters - abcnews.go.com - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- What to know about the intensifying protests shaking Iran and putting pressure on its theocracy - PBS - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iran protests: brutal crackdown as uprising gathers pace | The Latest - The Guardian - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iran, Israel, & Immigration | Gregg Roman on The Saad Truth - Middle East Forum - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Amid protests, Khamenei digs in, says Iran wont back down to 'saboteurs,' Trump will be overthrown - The Times of Israel - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iran: Deaths and injuries rise amid authorities renewed cycle of protest bloodshed - Amnesty International - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- How US gave Iran, China, Russia reality check in Venezuela - The Jerusalem Post - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Protests Spread in Iran, and Crackdowns Escalate - The New York Times - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran ready to fight back if US or Israel attacks again, says foreign minister - The Times of Israel - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran threatens pre-emptive attack if it sees 'indication of threat' - Euronews.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran army chief threatens preemptive attack over 'rhetoric' targeting country after Trump's comments - AP News - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran is on the edge of revolution - New Statesman - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran army chief threatens preemptive attack on enemies after Trumps comments - The Independent - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- What is Happening in Iran | Gregg Roman on Washington Watch - Middle East Forum - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Violent clashes reported as Iran protests spread to more areas - BBC - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Facing unrest, Iran is on edge as Trump threatens Tehran on heels of Venezuela operation - Los Angeles Times - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- They are killing us: authorities use force against protesters in Kurdish regions of Iran - The Guardian - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- 'This Big Truck Is Coming': Iran After The Maduro Kidnapping - FOREVER WARS by Spencer Ackerman - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Irans Uprising Expands with Strikes and Demonstrations in Tehran and Other Cities as Youths Clash with Suppressive Forces - National Council of... - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran says open to US talks but ready for war - The Jerusalem Post - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- It's the economy: grim livelihoods explain Iranian anger | Iran International - - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Out from the margins: how Ilam became the heart of Iran protests - - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran Says Its Investigating Violence at Weekend Protests - The New York Times - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Activists say at least 36 killed amid Iran protests after Trump's warning of a possible U.S. intervention - CBS News - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Can Iran's plan for a $7 monthly cash handout calm the streets? | Iran International - - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Did a minister just reveal Israeli assets were operating in Iran? - www.israelhayom.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Could Iran launch preemptive strikes on Israel, US? - The Jerusalem Post - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Exiled prince, Kurdish parties call for protests and strikes on Thursday | Iran International - - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran executes another man accused of spying for Israel, as protests roil country - The Times of Israel - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iranian protesters plead with Trump: 'Don't let them kill us' | Iran International - - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran's Army chief warns against hostile rhetoric, vows response to threats - AnewZ - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran accused of deploying Iraqi militias to crush protests at home - middle-east-online.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iran warns it may act before an attack if it detects a threat - - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iran protests: 29 killed, over 1,200 arrested by regime - The Jerusalem Post - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- What Will Happen To Iran As Global And Regional Powers Eye Options? - Forbes - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iran Protests, January 4, 2026 - Institute for the Study of War - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Israel hospitals exposed to Iran ballistic missile threat - The Jerusalem Post - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iran has been shaken by a series of protests over the past 50 years. Heres a look at them - AP News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trumps abduction of Maduro escalates concerns over potential war with Iran - Al Jazeera - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- What to know about the protests now shaking Iran as tensions remain high over its nuclear program - AP News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Security forces clash with protesters in Iran's main market as at least 35 killed in demonstrations - Los Angeles Times - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Rights groups say at least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests - Reuters - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iran protests spread to 222 locations as death toll hits 20 on eighth day | Iran International - - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]