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US-Iran Tensions Play Out on Iraqi Territory

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN, JORDAN - The United States has rejected a request by the Iraqi
   government to pull out troops and has threatened possible sanctions in
   response to the request. U.S. troops are there to train local forces
   and fight Islamic State militants, says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

   Some analysts have dismissed the Trump Administration's threats as just
   rhetoric, but it has been reported that possible sanctions are being
   drafted. Analysts say sanctions against Iraq could wipe out economic
   progress, however small, made over the past several years. Sanctions
   also could force Iraq to further align with U.S. rivals, like Iran.

   As U.S. troops clear rubble from a military base in western Iraq struck
   by Iranian missiles, many wonder how tensions will play out between the
   Iraqi government and the U.S. military following the U.S. killing of
   top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Mainly Shi'ite
   lawmakers recently voted to expel U.S. forces from the country and now
   Iraqi protesters have demanded the same, saying they are tired of being
   caught between the U.S. and Iran.