Secretary of Defense Mark Esper contradicted President Trump by asserting the US would not target Iranian cultural sites amid rising tensions after a US strike killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. 'We will follow the laws of armed conflict.'
"We will follow the laws of armed conflict," Esper told CNN Monday. When pressed if that meant not targeting Iranian cultural sites, Esper replied,"That's the laws of armed conflict."The comments come one day after Trump reiterated his threat to target Iranian cultural sites in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One.
Whether ISIS's destruction of religious monuments or the burning of the Leuven Library in WWI, history shows targeting locations giving civilization meaning is not only immoral but self-defeating," one of the officials told CNN."The Persian people hold a deeply influential and beautiful history of poetry, logic, art and science. Iran's leaders do not live up to that history.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Defense Secretary Esper says no decision to leave IraqDefense secretary says US has made 'no decision' about withdrawing troops from Iraq amid heightened tensions with Iran. He spoke after a letter from U.S. Army general seemed to suggest a withdrawal had been ordered in response to vote by Iraq's Parliament.
Read more »
US Defense Secretary Esper says no decision to leave IraqDefense Secretary Mark Esper says the United States has made 'no decision' about withdrawing troops from Iraq amid heightened tensions with neighboring Iran
Read more »
Trump says U.S. would hit 52 Iranian sites if Iran attacks American targetsPresident Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks any Americans or any U.S. assets in response to Friday&39;s U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Showing no signs of seeking to
Read more »
US allies call for 'restraint' after Trump threatens Iranian sites - Business InsiderThe United States' allies are calling for 'restraint and responsibility' as Trump threatens to hit Iranian cultural sites
Read more »
Trump doubles down on threat to Iranian cultural sitesAsked about fears Iran might retaliate, the president told reporters: 'If it happens it happens. If they do anything there will be major retaliation.'
Read more »