thedenverpost--2020-01-09--The Latest: Iran says it doesn’t want war, but will respond

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) — The latest on U.S.-Iran tensions after the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran ’ s top general ( all times local ) : Iran is informing the United Nations that it took “ a measured and proportionate military response ” to the U.S. airstrike that killed its top military commander and “ does not seek escalation or war.
” But Iran ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi warned that Tehran would “ vigorously ” respond to “ any further military adventurism against it ” and “ any aggression.
” Ravanchi said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council and to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that in the early morning hours of Jan. 8 , Iran “ targeted an American air base in Iraq from which the cowardly armed attack against martyr ( Qassem ) Soleimani was launched.
” He said Iran was exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter .
“ The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians assets in the area , ” Ravanchi said .
Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s missile strikes on two Iraqi bases were intended to kill Americans .
Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that 11 ballistic missiles that landed at al-Asad air base in western Iraq inflicted moderate damage , such as destroying or damaging tents and a helicopter , but no Americans were killed or injured .
“ I believe based on what I saw and what I know is that they were intended to cause structural damage , destroy vehicles and equipment and aircraft and to kill personnel , ” Milley said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed was due to the defensive procedures and the effectiveness of U.S. early warning system .
A handful of major shippers operating in the Persian Gulf are curtailing operations there .
Several oil tankers operated by major players have diverted away from the Persian Gulf or delayed loading by several days .
That ’ s according to Reid I ’ Anson , global energy economist at Kpler , a data intelligence company .
I ’ Anson said a tanker chartered by Brazilian oil giant Petrobras was supposed to load up with oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead it left the Persian Gulf empty .
He said another tanker operated by a major oil shipper has been idling in the Arabian Sea for about a week .
I ’ Anson says the disruptions are minor right now .
But he said “ that ’ s a lot of money to be out in the sea with no oil going nowhere.
” In 2018 , some 21 million barrels per day passed through the Strait , a narrow waterway which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One-fifth of the oil consumed by the world passes through the narrow waterway , which Iranian officials threatened to close in April in response to U.S. sanctions .
Turkey ’ s national airline has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq .
The official Anadolu news agency said Wednesday that Turkish Airlines flights would be suspended as a precaution until 1800 GMT Thursday .
Turkish Airlines flights will not use Iraqi and Iranian airspaces during this time and planes would change their routes , the agency said .
Commercial airlines are rerouting flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger during heightened tensions between the United States and Iran .
Also Wednesday , a Ukrainian passenger jet crashed shortly after taking off from Iran ’ s capital killing 167 passengers and nine crew members just hours after Iran ’ s ballistic missile attack .
Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue .
President Donald Trump says he is going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East .
Trump spoke during an address Wednesday from the White House after Iran struck back at the United States for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has frequently criticized NATO as obsolete and has encouraged participants to beef up their military spending .
He cited more reliance on NATO while also seeking to emphasize U.S. military strength .
He said American military and economic strength is the best deterrence to war .
Trump also used his address to speak directly to Iran , saying “ we want you to have a future and a great future.
” He said the United States is ready to embrace peace and all who seek it .
President Donald Trump says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran in response to its missile attacks on military bases in Iraq that house American troops .
In an address to the nation Wednesday , Trump said those new “ powerful sanctions ” will remain until Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions and ends its support for terrorism .
Trump also said he would ask NATO to become more involved in the Middle East .
That seems to indicate continued U.S. involvement in the region despite Trump ’ s desire to withdraw troops from what he calls “ endless wars.
” At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.
” President Donald Trump says the American people should be “ extremely grateful and happy ” that no Americans were harmed when Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops early Wednesday .
Trump says Iran “ appears to be standing down ” and is crediting an early warning system “ that worked very well ” for the fact that no Americans or Iraqis were killed .
The launch was Tehran ’ s most brazen direct assault on America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Embassy in Tehran and came days after Trump authorized the targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani , the head of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force .
Iran had pledged to retaliate , bringing the two countries closer to the brink of war .
Trump added : “ We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
” Oxfam says it is restricting its humanitarian work in Iraq due to serious security concerns following Iranian missile attacks on military bases hosting U.S. troops there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement Wednesday that humanitarian work , including cash aid , had been suspended in some areas of the country owing to travel difficulties and checkpoints on in remote areas .
It added that some Oxfam staff had been relocated to other areas over fears of more violence .
Andres Gonzalez Rodriguez added that if the organization was forced to continue the suspension of aid for a few weeks , “ 100,000 of the most vulnerable people will be affected.
” Oxfam runs 26 programs in five Iraqi governorates providing water and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance , the statement said .
The U.N. ’ s head Antonio Guterres is renewing his “ passionate appeal for peace , ” stressing that the world can not afford a war in the Persian Gulf .
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated on Wednesday the secretary-general ’ s appeal to world leaders to “ stop escalation ” and “ re-start dialogue.
” His appeal followed Iran ’ s ballistic missile launches at two bases in Iraq where U.S. troops are based , that was in response to the U.S. killing of the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The U.N. says Guterres is continuing contacts with key parties , stressing : “ It is our common duty to make every effort to avoid a war in the Gulf that the world can not afford.
” Denmark ’ s prime minister says it will relocate some of its 141 troops in Iraq to neighboring Kuwait .
Mette Frederiksen added Wednesday that Danish forces will “ continue ” with their mission “ to counter the Islamic State ” in Iraq , leaving behind “ 30-40 ” troops .
Frederiksen told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , without providing further details .
She added : “ We are deeply worried about the situation.
” There are 133 Danish troops at Ain al-Asad air base where they train and advise Iraqi forces .
The base was hit early Wednesday by an Iranian missile attack but no Danish forces were wounded , the prime minister said .
On top of that there are 8 Danish soldiers with the NATO mission in Iraq in Baghdad that have already been moved to Kuwait .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed-door meeting on Mideast security are warning that the further use of force “ would lead to a new cycle of instability and would eventually damage everyone ’ s interests.
” Their statement Wednesday expressed deep concern about the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
Iran retaliated after the U.S. killed its top general in a drone strike last week , which Erdogan and Putin called “ an act undermining security and stability in the region.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have “ always been against foreign interventions , unilateral military actions and sectarian conflicts ” and they called for de-escalation and diplomacy .
Erdogan also vowed to work diplomatically to calm soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran , saying that “ no one has the right to throw the region , especially Iraq , into a new ring of fire for their personal gain.
” The United Arab Emirates is seeking to allay concerns it has been impacted or is a target in tensions between its ally the United States and its regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday said tensions in the region “ will not affect citizens , residents or visitors.
” It stressed that sectors across the country are operating normally .
Also Wednesday , the financial and tourist hub of Dubai said rumors being circulated regarding security threats targeting the emirate are fake and haven ’ t been issued from any official Iranian government source .
The UAE , which has supported maximum pressure on Iran , has called for de-escalation .
The White House says President Donald Trump plans to address the nation at 11 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump faces one of the greatest tests of his presidency now that Iran has launched ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops .
It was Iran ’ s most brazen assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran .
Iran ’ s missile strikes were in retaliation for last week ’ s American drone strike that killed Iran ’ s top general .
Trump huddled with his national security advisers to weigh a response .
Top Senate Democrats are citing “ deep concern ” about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration about the Iran operation .
Pakistan ’ s prime minister has stressed the need to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East .
In a Twitter post , Imran Khan added that he is sending his foreign minister to Iran , Saudi Arabia and United States to meet with counterparts .
Regional tensions remain high after Iran fired missiles at two bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces in retaliation for the U.S. killing of its top military commander .
During a meeting Wednesday with Oman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader reiterated that his country will not be part of any conflict in the region .
Also Wednesday , Pakistan ’ s military said the U.S. defense secretary has discussed the Middle East situation with Pakistan ’ s army chief , saying Washington does not want to seek a conflict but will respond forcefully if necessary .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned what he called Iran ’ s “ reckless and dangerous ” missile attacks on bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops , and he called for “ urgent de-escalation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said Qassem Soleimani , the Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander killed in a U.S. airstrike last week , “ had the blood of British troops on his hands.
” Britain ’ s main opposition Labour Party has suggested the U.S. may have broken international law by killing Soleimani .
Johnson told British lawmakers on Wednesday that “ the strict issue of legality is not for the U.K. to determine since it was not our operation .
But I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has the right to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration alleges that Soleimani had been plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Iraq ’ s presidency has condemned Iranian missile strikes on two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. troops , reiterating its rejection of breaches of Iraq ’ s sovereignty .
Barham Saleh ’ s office also said in a statement that the fate of U.S. troops in Iraq is an internal matter based on legal agreements to combat the Islamic State group .
The statement adds that Iraq “ has previously declared its refusal to be a starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also refuses to be a source of threat to any of its neighbors.
” The Iraqi prime minister has publicly said U.S. troops must leave after a drone strike killed Iran ’ s top military commander in Baghdad , and parliament has passed a non-binding resolution pushing for withdrawal .
NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has condemned Iran ’ s missile strike against U.S. forces in Iraq , while a NATO official says there were no casualties among the military alliance ’ s personnel in the country .
The Iraqi mission consists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and non-NATO countries .
In a message to The Associated Press , the NATO official who was not authorized to speak publicly said they were “ keeping the situation under close review.
” Meanwhile , in a message posted on Twitter , Stoltenberg urged Iran to refrain from further violence .
NATO last week said it had suspended a training mission for Iraqi soldiers after the U.S. killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Stoltenberg said allies remain committed to the training mission in Iraq .
An official says the Cyprus government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploy a “ rapid reaction ” team to help evacuate personnel from U.S. diplomatic missions in nearby countries if needed .
Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushios said Wednesday the team also will be tasked with evacuating U.S. civilians from the region in the event of an emergency .
The development comes after Iran fired more than 20 missiles overnight at bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran ’ s top military commander .
Koushios said the east Mediterranean island nation granted permission as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missions of a humanitarian nature following requests from non-European Union member countries .
He said Cyprus has excellent relations with eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern nations .
Turkey ’ s foreign minister will visit Iraq on Thursday as part of diplomatic efforts to “ alleviate the escalated tension ” in the region , a ministry statement said .
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also spoke with his Iranian counterpart Wednesday after Iran fired more than 20 missiles overnight at bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Baghdad .
Turkey has called for calm and expressed concern about regional security after the U.S. drone strike .
Turkey shares a border with Iran and Iraq and is engaged militarily in northern Iraq against Kurdish militants .
Slovenia ’ s defense ministry says its six soldiers stationed in northern Iraq with a German-led training mission will be evacuated after their base came under Iran ’ s missile attack in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran ’ s top general .
The Slovenian ministry said Wednesday the soldiers were unhurt in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the base ’ s shelter during the strike .
The ministry said the evacuation will be conducted “ in cooperation with the German partners.
” It did not say where the soldiers will go .
The Syrian government is expressing full solidarity with Iran , saying Tehran has the right to defend itself “ in the face of American threats and attacks.
” The foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday that Syria holds the “ American regime responsible for all the repercussions due to its reckless policy and arrogant mentality.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20 missiles overnight at bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran ’ s top military commander last week in Baghdad .
Syria is Iran ’ s strongest ally in the Arab world , and Tehran sent thousands of Iran-backed fighters to join President Bashar Assad ’ s forces in the country ’ s civil war .
One analyst says Iran ’ s missile strike against U.S. forces in Iraq was “ the smallest attack that Iran could carry out while at the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Peter Viggo Jakobsen , an associate professor with the Royal Danish Defense College , added Wednesday that Iran has “ done all that is possible to avoid American casualties .
If what we hear is correct , they have warned the Americans in advance.
” He told Denmark ’ s TV2 channel the Iranians are doing all they can to avoid an American military response as harsh as President Donald Trump has promised .
“ I would be deeply surprised if the Americans choose to respond militarily again , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile strikes against the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and repeated its call for de-escalation of tensions .
Italy has some 900 troops in Iraq , based in Baghdad and Irbil , that are involved in training Iraqi troops and in fighting the Islamic State group .
There has been no report from any member of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq about casualties among their forces .
After a U.S. drone strike killed Iran ’ s top general last week , Italian news reports said Italy had transferred some troops from a Baghdad base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Foreign Ministry again urged European allies to work for dialogue , according to a statement .
The Iraqi prime ministry says Iran notified Iraq shortly after midnight that its response to the killing of its top military commander had begun , and that retaliation would be limited to locations where the U.S. military is present .
Adel Abdul-Mahdi ’ s office said in a statement Wednesday that Iraq was simultaneously informed by the Americans that military bases in Ain al-Asad and Irbil were under missile attack .
The office says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iraqi side and has not been officially notified of any losses among the U.S.-led coalition .
“ Iraq refuses any violation of its sovereignty and any attacks on its territory , ” the statement said .
It added that Iraq is doing everything in its power to contain the situation to avoid a “ devastating all-out war.
” Poland ’ s Foreign Ministry says its ambassador to Iraq , Beata Peksa , has been evacuated to Poland for security reasons amid the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
The evacuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland ’ s diplomatic mission is located in the British Embassy .
According to Poland ’ s Foreign Ministry only the ambassador was evacuated while its embassy in Baghdad continues its work .
Poland is one of several European countries that has said their troops in Iraq were not harmed in the Iranian missile strike overnight that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops .
Chinese media reports say state oil company China National Petroleum Corporation has evacuated about 20 employees from the West Qurna-1 oil field in Iraq as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. and Iran .
No details were given , and company spokespeople could not immediately be reached for comment .
The news followed the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops .
The attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran ’ s top commander last week near the Baghdad airport .
The U.S. Embassy in Jordan has issued a security warning to American government personnel to avoid “ non-essential ” movements following the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet Wednesday , the embassy says that “ out of an abundance of caution ” American children should also be kept home from school .
The embassy in Amman remains open .
Anti-government protesters in Iraq have set fires and closed streets near Baghdad ’ s Tahrir Square during a demonstration against the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops .
The Iranian attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed top Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week near the Baghdad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wednesday morning ’ s demonstration near Tahrir , the epicenter of Iraq ’ s protest movement .
The protesters carrying Iraqi flags shouted “ Iran out , out !
” before they were dispersed by security forces .
The protesters who rose up against their country ’ s ruling elite in October , accusing them of corruption , have also been revolting against neighboring Iran ’ s military and political involvement .
Finland ’ s defense forces say they received advance warning of the Iranian missile strike against bases in Iraq used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finnish troops at the base in Irbil that was targeted were were protected in a bomb shelter and were not hurt .
Irbil is the capital of Iraq ’ s self-governing Kurdish region .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the Iranian missile strike against bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq and urged Iran to refrain from further military action .
The Ministry of Defense said Wednesday there were no British casualties in the attack launched in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iran ’ s top Revolutionary Guard commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
U.S. officials have said there are no immediate reports of U.S. casualties .
“ We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks , and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation , ” Raab said .
“ A war in the Middle East would only benefit Daesh ( the Islamic State group ) and other terrorist groups.
” Coalition forces are in Iraq to train local forces to fight the extremists .
Tom Tugendhat , the chairman of the defense committee during the previous Parliament , told the BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Iran ’ s action marked the end of tensions and both sides could “ get back to talking.
” China ’ s foreign ministry is expressing concern about the spike in tensions in the Middle East and says it hopes matters can swiftly “ cool off.
” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters Wednesday that Beijing has called for restraint by all sides and is in close consultation with the governments involved , including at the United Nations and through China ’ s embassy in Baghdad .
He spoke after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by U.S. forces but did not address it directly .
Geng also accused the U.S. of abusing the rights of people in the region through its military actions .
Germany has condemned the Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Wednesday the government “ rejects this aggression in the sharpest possible terms.
” She told German public broadcaster ARD that “ it ’ s now particularly up to the Iranians not to engage in further escalation.
’ None of the German troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined several European countries in saying their troops in Iraq were not harmed , including France , Poland , Denmark and Finland .
At least one missile from the Iranian strike against U.S. forces in Iraq on Wednesday landed in a field near Bardarash , about 50 kilometers ( 31 miles ) from Irbil , the capital of Iraq ’ s self-governing Kurdish region .
An Iraqi Kurdish channel , Rudaw TV , showed video of police inspecting the impact site and removing shrapnel .
No casualties were reported but residents said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man was seen cleaning up slight damage to his house on a nearby street .
The Kurdish region hosts American military forces at its main airport just outside Irbil .
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an address to the nation says “ we slapped them ( Americans ) on the face last night ” with a missile strike “ but military action is not enough.
” He spoke hours after the strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Baghdad .
Khamenei added that the “ corrupt presence of the U.S. in the region should come to an end , ” saying it has caused war , division , and destruction .
Iran ’ s supreme leader also invoked the virtues of the slain commander , Gen. Qassem Soleimani , saying he was a “ great , brave warrior ” and “ dear friend to us.
” Huge crowds in Iran have mourned Soleimani ’ s death last week in the airstrike in Baghdad .
A Russian lawmaker warns that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a nuclear war .
The comments by Vladimir Dzhabarov , lawmaker with Russia ’ s upper house of parliament , on Wednesday followed an Iranian missile strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing Iran ’ s top military commander in Baghdad .
“ Reciprocal strikes by the U.S. and Iran may lead to an all-out war in the region , ” Dzhabarov said .
“ If Washington sees that it can ’ t achieve its goals , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war.
” The Russian lawmaker said the U.N. Security Council should get involved to prevent further escalation in the Middle East .
Iraq ’ s military says it had no troop casualties in the Iranian strike , and President Donald Trump tweeted that “ All is well !
” as casualty and damage assessments are ongoing .
The Iraqi military says there are no casualties among its troops as a result of an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The military said in a statement carried by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack lasted half an hour , starting at 1:45 a.m. local time .
The statement said 22 missiles were fired .
Seventeen missiles hit al-Asad air base , including two that did not explode in the Hitan area west of the town of Hit .
Five other missiles hit the northern region of Irbil .
The energy minister of the United Arab Emirates says he sees no immediate shortages in oil supplies , but that OPEC will be called in if there is an issue .
“ The situation is not currently a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters Wednesday .
“ We are all hoping for deescalation .
I think wisdom will prevail despite the tension.
” He spoke after an Iranian missile strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces .
The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing an Iranian general in Baghdad .
He said even in past times of war , the flow of oil has been maintained .
“ So let ’ s not exaggerate what ’ s happening .
There is no risk that we have seen to the Strait of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Al-Mazrouei said , referring to the narrow waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran through which 20 % of the world ’ s oil passes through .
He spoke reporters in Abu Dhabi at the Gulf Intelligence ’ s UAE Energy Forum .
Brent crude oil has jumped to around $ 70 a barrel amid heightened concerns over tensions between Iran and the United States .
Japan says it will urge governments to do their utmost to help ease tensions following an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliation for the killing of an Iranian general .
Japanese Chief Cabinet spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday that his “ government will coordinate with the related governments to collect intelligence while we ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in the region.
” He added : “ Japan will also urge all related nations to do their utmost diplomatic effort to improve the relations.
” He said Japan remained on track to soon deploy a warship to the Gulf to help safeguard Japanese vessels and oil tankers transiting the area .
Australian Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s troops and diplomatic staff in Iraq are safe after Iran ’ s firing of missiles at two military bases there .
Around 300 Australian defense personnel are stationed in Iraq .
Morrison said he spoke with President Donald Trump about the situation between the U.S. and Iran on Tuesday during a call about the wildfires raging in Australia .
Sepaking to reporters Wednesday , Morrison said in reference to the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani : “ The United States have taken the action that they have to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they received , which was putting their interests at risks and under threat.
” President Donald Trump says “ All is well !
” after more than a dozen Iranian missiles were fired at two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq .
Trump tweets that casualty and damage assessments are ongoing but adds , “ So far , so good !
” He says he will be making a statement on the strikes Wednesday morning .
Iranian state TV says the missile strikes were retaliation for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying .
Iran ’ s foreign minister is calling Tuesday night ’ s ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops “ proportionate measures in self-defense.
” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has also tweeted , “ ’ We do not seek escalation or war , but will defend ourselves against any aggression.
” His tweet follows the missile attack in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Revolutionary Guard general slain by U.S. airstrike in Baghdad after a stampede at his funeral killed 56 and Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing American troops in response .
Officials lowered the shroud-wrapped remains of Qassem Soleimani into the ground in the southeastern city of Kerman just before 6 a.m. Wednesday .
Soleimani ’ s death in the airstrikes has drastically raised tensions between Tehran and Washington .
Iran launched a ballistic missile attack just hours earlier on two Iraqi bases housing American troops .
A U.S. official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any , casualties from Tuesday night ’ s Iranian missile attack on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of a Pentagon briefing .
The official says 15 missiles were fired .
Ten struck the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
One struck a base in Irbil in Iraq ’ s semiautonomous Kurdish region .
Four missiles failed to hit their targets .
The official says the bases are still being searched for casualties .
Iranian state TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose death last week — in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying .
The Federal Aviation Administration is barring U.S. pilots and carriers from flying in areas of Iraqi , Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace .
The agency is warning of the “ potential for miscalculation or mis-identification ” for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
The emergency flight restrictions follow ballistic missile strikes Tuesday on two Iraqi bases that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often precautionary in nature to prevent civilian aircraft from being confused for ones engaged in armed conflict .
The FAA says the restrictions are being issued due to “ heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East , which present an inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations.
” Vice President Mike Pence has briefed top Democrats in Congress on the Iranian strikes on installations in Iraq holding U.S. forces .
Aides to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both confirmed the lawmakers spoke with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodman , a spokesman for Schumer , says the New York Democrat is closely monitoring the situation and is praying for the safety of service members and other personnel .
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted that the speaker returned a call from the vice president moments after presiding over the House .
Katie Waldman , a spokeswoman for the vice president , says Pence has been in continuous contact with national security officials and made calls to congressional leadership at President Donald Trump ’ s direction .
The Pentagon is confirming that Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballistic missiles ” at two targets hosting against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq .
Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman says “ It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran.
” He says the attacks “ targeted at least two Iraqi military bases ” at Ain Assad and Irbil .
Hoffman says the U.S. is “ working on initial battle damage assessments.
” Iranian state TV says the attack was in revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose funeral Tuesday prompted angry calls to avenge @ @ @

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The latest on U.S.-Iran tensions after the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran’s top general (all times local):
2:10 a.m.
Iran is informing the United Nations that it took “a measured and proportionate military response” to the U.S. airstrike that killed its top military commander and “does not seek escalation or war.”
But Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi warned that Tehran would “vigorously” respond to “any further military adventurism against it” and “any aggression.”
Ravanchi said in a letter late Wednesday to the U.N. Security Council and to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that in the early morning hours of Jan. 8, Iran “targeted an American air base in Iraq from which the cowardly armed attack against martyr (Qassem) Soleimani was launched.”
He said Iran was exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.
“The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians assets in the area,” Ravanchi said.
___ 1:50 a.m.
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says he believes Iran’s missile strikes on two Iraqi bases were intended to kill Americans.
Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that 11 ballistic missiles that landed at al-Asad air base in western Iraq inflicted moderate damage, such as destroying or damaging tents and a helicopter, but no Americans were killed or injured.
“I believe based on what I saw and what I know is that they were intended to cause structural damage, destroy vehicles and equipment and aircraft and to kill personnel,” Milley said.
Milley said the fact that no one was killed was due to the defensive procedures and the effectiveness of U.S. early warning system.
___
0:45 p.m.
A handful of major shippers operating in the Persian Gulf are curtailing operations there.
Several oil tankers operated by major players have diverted away from the Persian Gulf or delayed loading by several days. That’s according to Reid I’Anson, global energy economist at Kpler, a data intelligence company.
I’Anson said a tanker chartered by Brazilian oil giant Petrobras was supposed to load up with oil in Basra on Jan. 5, but instead it left the Persian Gulf empty. He said another tanker operated by a major oil shipper has been idling in the Arabian Sea for about a week.
I’Anson says the disruptions are minor right now. But he said “that’s a lot of money to be out in the sea with no oil going nowhere.”
In 2018, some 21 million barrels per day passed through the Strait, a narrow waterway which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. One-fifth of the oil consumed by the world passes through the narrow waterway, which Iranian officials threatened to close in April in response to U.S. sanctions.
___
8:45 p.m.
Turkey’s national airline has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq.
The official Anadolu news agency said Wednesday that Turkish Airlines flights would be suspended as a precaution until 1800 GMT Thursday.
Turkish Airlines flights will not use Iraqi and Iranian airspaces during this time and planes would change their routes, the agency said.
Commercial airlines are rerouting flights throughout the Middle East to avoid potential danger during heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.
Also Wednesday, a Ukrainian passenger jet crashed shortly after taking off from Iran’s capital killing 167 passengers and nine crew members just hours after Iran’s ballistic missile attack. Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue.
___
8:12 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he is going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East.
Trump spoke during an address Wednesday from the White House after Iran struck back at the United States for killing its most powerful military commander.
Trump has frequently criticized NATO as obsolete and has encouraged participants to beef up their military spending.
He cited more reliance on NATO while also seeking to emphasize U.S. military strength. He said American military and economic strength is the best deterrence to war.
Trump also used his address to speak directly to Iran, saying “we want you to have a future and a great future.”
He said the United States is ready to embrace peace and all who seek it.
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8:10 p.m.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. will immediately impose new sanctions on Iran in response to its missile attacks on military bases in Iraq that house American troops.
In an address to the nation Wednesday, Trump said those new “powerful sanctions” will remain until Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions and ends its support for terrorism.
Trump also said he would ask NATO to become more involved in the Middle East. That seems to indicate continued U.S. involvement in the region despite Trump’s desire to withdraw troops from what he calls “endless wars.”
At the same time, Trump says the United State is “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”
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8:05 p.m.
President Donald Trump says the American people should be “extremely grateful and happy” that no Americans were harmed when Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops early Wednesday.
Trump says Iran “appears to be standing down” and is crediting an early warning system “that worked very well” for the fact that no Americans or Iraqis were killed.
The launch was Tehran’s most brazen direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and came days after Trump authorized the targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force.
Iran had pledged to retaliate, bringing the two countries closer to the brink of war.
Trump added: “We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far!”
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7:55 p.m.
Oxfam says it is restricting its humanitarian work in Iraq due to serious security concerns following Iranian missile attacks on military bases hosting U.S. troops there.
Oxfam’s Iraq country director said in a statement Wednesday that humanitarian work, including cash aid, had been suspended in some areas of the country owing to travel difficulties and checkpoints on in remote areas. It added that some Oxfam staff had been relocated to other areas over fears of more violence.
Andres Gonzalez Rodriguez added that if the organization was forced to continue the suspension of aid for a few weeks, “100,000 of the most vulnerable people will be affected.”
Oxfam runs 26 programs in five Iraqi governorates providing water and sanitation, food, cash and protection assistance, the statement said.
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7:45 p.m.
The U.N.’s head Antonio Guterres is renewing his “passionate appeal for peace,” stressing that the world cannot afford a war in the Persian Gulf.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated on Wednesday the secretary-general’s appeal to world leaders to “stop escalation” and “re-start dialogue.”
His appeal followed Iran’s ballistic missile launches at two bases in Iraq where U.S. troops are based, that was in response to the U.S. killing of the top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani earlier this week.
The U.N. says Guterres is continuing contacts with key parties, stressing: “It is our common duty to make every effort to avoid a war in the Gulf that the world cannot afford.”
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7:25 p.m.
Denmark’s prime minister says it will relocate some of its 141 troops in Iraq to neighboring Kuwait.
Mette Frederiksen added Wednesday that Danish forces will “continue” with their mission “to counter the Islamic State” in Iraq, leaving behind “30-40” troops.
Frederiksen told a news conference that the move was temporary, without providing further details.
She added: “We are deeply worried about the situation.”
There are 133 Danish troops at Ain al-Asad air base where they train and advise Iraqi forces. The base was hit early Wednesday by an Iranian missile attack but no Danish forces were wounded, the prime minister said.
On top of that there are 8 Danish soldiers with the NATO mission in Iraq in Baghdad that have already been moved to Kuwait.
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7:15 p.m.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a joint statement after a closed-door meeting on Mideast security are warning that the further use of force “would lead to a new cycle of instability and would eventually damage everyone’s interests.”
Their statement Wednesday expressed deep concern about the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces.
Iran retaliated after the U.S. killed its top general in a drone strike last week, which Erdogan and Putin called “an act undermining security and stability in the region.”
The Turkish and Russian leaders said they have “always been against foreign interventions, unilateral military actions and sectarian conflicts” and they called for de-escalation and diplomacy.
Erdogan also vowed to work diplomatically to calm soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran, saying that “no one has the right to throw the region, especially Iraq, into a new ring of fire for their personal gain.”
7 p.m.
The United Arab Emirates is seeking to allay concerns it has been impacted or is a target in tensions between its ally the United States and its regional neighbor Iran.
The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said tensions in the region “will not affect citizens, residents or visitors.” It stressed that sectors across the country are operating normally.
Also Wednesday, the financial and tourist hub of Dubai said rumors being circulated regarding security threats targeting the emirate are fake and haven’t been issued from any official Iranian government source.
The UAE, which has supported maximum pressure on Iran, has called for de-escalation.
6:40 p.m.
The White House says President Donald Trump plans to address the nation at 11 a.m. local time Wednesday (1600 GMT).
Trump faces one of the greatest tests of his presidency now that Iran has launched ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. It was Iran’s most brazen assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
Iran’s missile strikes were in retaliation for last week’s American drone strike that killed Iran’s top general. Trump huddled with his national security advisers to weigh a response.
Top Senate Democrats are citing “deep concern” about the lack of information coming from the Trump administration about the Iran operation.
6:25 p.m.
Pakistan’s prime minister has stressed the need to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
In a Twitter post, Imran Khan added that he is sending his foreign minister to Iran, Saudi Arabia and United States to meet with counterparts. Regional tensions remain high after Iran fired missiles at two bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces in retaliation for the U.S. killing of its top military commander.
During a meeting Wednesday with Oman’s minister for religious affairs, the Pakistani leader reiterated that his country will not be part of any conflict in the region.
Also Wednesday, Pakistan’s military said the U.S. defense secretary has discussed the Middle East situation with Pakistan’s army chief, saying Washington does not want to seek a conflict but will respond forcefully if necessary.
5:45 p.m.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned what he called Iran’s “reckless and dangerous” missile attacks on bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops, and he called for “urgent de-escalation” by Tehran and Washington.
Johnson also said Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander killed in a U.S. airstrike last week, “had the blood of British troops on his hands.”
Britain’s main opposition Labour Party has suggested the U.S. may have broken international law by killing Soleimani.
Johnson told British lawmakers on Wednesday that “the strict issue of legality is not for the U.K. to determine since it was not our operation. But I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has the right to protect its bases and its personnel.”
The Trump administration alleges that Soleimani had been plotting new attacks just before he was killed.
5:30 p.m.
Iraq’s presidency has condemned Iranian missile strikes on two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. troops, reiterating its rejection of breaches of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Barham Saleh’s office also said in a statement that the fate of U.S. troops in Iraq is an internal matter based on legal agreements to combat the Islamic State group.
The statement adds that Iraq “has previously declared its refusal to be a starting point for aggression against any country, and also refuses to be a source of threat to any of its neighbors.”
The Iraqi prime minister has publicly said U.S. troops must leave after a drone strike killed Iran’s top military commander in Baghdad, and parliament has passed a non-binding resolution pushing for withdrawal.
5:10 p.m.
NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has condemned Iran’s missile strike against U.S. forces in Iraq, while a NATO official says there were no casualties among the military alliance’s personnel in the country.
The Iraqi mission consists of several hundred staff from allied nations and non-NATO countries.
In a message to The Associated Press, the NATO official who was not authorized to speak publicly said they were “keeping the situation under close review.”
Meanwhile, in a message posted on Twitter, Stoltenberg urged Iran to refrain from further violence.
NATO last week said it had suspended a training mission for Iraqi soldiers after the U.S. killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Stoltenberg said allies remain committed to the training mission in Iraq.
4:50 p.m.
An official says the Cyprus government has approved a U.S. request to temporarily deploy a “rapid reaction” team to help evacuate personnel from U.S. diplomatic missions in nearby countries if needed.
Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushios said Wednesday the team also will be tasked with evacuating U.S. civilians from the region in the event of an emergency. The development comes after Iran fired more than 20 missiles overnight at bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran’s top military commander.
Koushios said the east Mediterranean island nation granted permission as part of its long-standing policy to offer assistance to missions of a humanitarian nature following requests from non-European Union member countries.
He said Cyprus has excellent relations with eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern nations.
4:10 p.m.
Turkey’s foreign minister will visit Iraq on Thursday as part of diplomatic efforts to “alleviate the escalated tension” in the region, a ministry statement said.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also spoke with his Iranian counterpart Wednesday after Iran fired more than 20 missiles overnight at bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran’s top military commander last week in Baghdad.
Turkey has called for calm and expressed concern about regional security after the U.S. drone strike. Turkey shares a border with Iran and Iraq and is engaged militarily in northern Iraq against Kurdish militants.
3:50 p.m.
Slovenia’s defense ministry says its six soldiers stationed in northern Iraq with a German-led training mission will be evacuated after their base came under Iran’s missile attack in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran’s top general.
The Slovenian ministry said Wednesday the soldiers were unhurt in the attack near Irbil as they were in the base’s shelter during the strike.
The ministry said the evacuation will be conducted “in cooperation with the German partners.” It did not say where the soldiers will go.
3:30 p.m.
The Syrian government is expressing full solidarity with Iran, saying Tehran has the right to defend itself “in the face of American threats and attacks.”
The foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday that Syria holds the “American regime responsible for all the repercussions due to its reckless policy and arrogant mentality.”
The statement came after Iran fired more than 20 missiles overnight at bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran’s top military commander last week in Baghdad.
Syria is Iran’s strongest ally in the Arab world, and Tehran sent thousands of Iran-backed fighters to join President Bashar Assad’s forces in the country’s civil war.
3:10 p.m.
One analyst says Iran’s missile strike against U.S. forces in Iraq was “the smallest attack that Iran could carry out while at the same time being able to say they got revenge.”
Peter Viggo Jakobsen, an associate professor with the Royal Danish Defense College, added Wednesday that Iran has “done all that is possible to avoid American casualties. If what we hear is correct, they have warned the Americans in advance.”
He told Denmark’s TV2 channel the Iranians are doing all they can to avoid an American military response as harsh as President Donald Trump has promised.
“I would be deeply surprised if the Americans choose to respond militarily again,” he said.
2:30 p.m.
Italy has condemned Iran’s missile strikes against the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and repeated its call for de-escalation of tensions.
Italy has some 900 troops in Iraq, based in Baghdad and Irbil, that are involved in training Iraqi troops and in fighting the Islamic State group.
There has been no report from any member of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq about casualties among their forces.
After a U.S. drone strike killed Iran’s top general last week, Italian news reports said Italy had transferred some troops from a Baghdad base to a more secure location.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry again urged European allies to work for dialogue, according to a statement.
2:15 p.m.
The Iraqi prime ministry says Iran notified Iraq shortly after midnight that its response to the killing of its top military commander had begun, and that retaliation would be limited to locations where the U.S. military is present.
Adel Abdul-Mahdi’s office said in a statement Wednesday that Iraq was simultaneously informed by the Americans that military bases in Ain al-Asad and Irbil were under missile attack.
The office says it has received no reports of casualties on the Iraqi side and has not been officially notified of any losses among the U.S.-led coalition.
“Iraq refuses any violation of its sovereignty and any attacks on its territory,” the statement said.
It added that Iraq is doing everything in its power to contain the situation to avoid a “devastating all-out war.”
2:05 p.m.
Poland’s Foreign Ministry says its ambassador to Iraq, Beata Peksa, has been evacuated to Poland for security reasons amid the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The evacuation was at Britain’s request because Poland’s diplomatic mission is located in the British Embassy.
According to Poland’s Foreign Ministry only the ambassador was evacuated while its embassy in Baghdad continues its work.
Poland is one of several European countries that has said their troops in Iraq were not harmed in the Iranian missile strike overnight that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops.
1:55 p.m.
Chinese media reports say state oil company China National Petroleum Corporation has evacuated about 20 employees from the West Qurna-1 oil field in Iraq as a result of the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
No details were given, and company spokespeople could not immediately be reached for comment.
The news followed the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops. The attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran’s top commander last week near the Baghdad airport.
1:45 p.m.
The U.S. Embassy in Jordan has issued a security warning to American government personnel to avoid “non-essential” movements following the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in neighboring Iraq housing U.S. troops.
In a tweet Wednesday, the embassy says that “out of an abundance of caution” American children should also be kept home from school. The embassy in Amman remains open.
1:30 p.m.
Anti-government protesters in Iraq have set fires and closed streets near Baghdad’s Tahrir Square during a demonstration against the Iranian missile strike that targeted two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops.
The Iranian attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed top Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week near the Baghdad airport.
About 100 protesters took part in Wednesday morning’s demonstration near Tahrir, the epicenter of Iraq’s protest movement. The protesters carrying Iraqi flags shouted “Iran out, out!” before they were dispersed by security forces.
The protesters who rose up against their country’s ruling elite in October, accusing them of corruption, have also been revolting against neighboring Iran’s military and political involvement.
1:20 p.m.
Finland’s defense forces say they received advance warning of the Iranian missile strike against bases in Iraq used by U.S. troops.
The defense forces gave no details Wednesday, Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat reported.
They added that Finnish troops at the base in Irbil that was targeted were were protected in a bomb shelter and were not hurt. Irbil is the capital of Iraq’s self-governing Kurdish region.
12:55 p.m.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the Iranian missile strike against bases hosting coalition forces in Iraq and urged Iran to refrain from further military action.
The Ministry of Defense said Wednesday there were no British casualties in the attack launched in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iran’s top Revolutionary Guard commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad last week.
U.S. officials have said there are no immediate reports of U.S. casualties.
“We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation,” Raab said. “A war in the Middle East would only benefit Daesh (the Islamic State group) and other terrorist groups.” Coalition forces are in Iraq to train local forces to fight the extremists.
Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the defense committee during the previous Parliament, told the BBC it would be “extremely welcome” if Iran’s action marked the end of tensions and both sides could “get back to talking.”
12:05 p.m.
China’s foreign ministry is expressing concern about the spike in tensions in the Middle East and says it hopes matters can swiftly “cool off.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters Wednesday that Beijing has called for restraint by all sides and is in close consultation with the governments involved, including at the United Nations and through China’s embassy in Baghdad.
He spoke after the Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces but did not address it directly.
Geng also accused the U.S. of abusing the rights of people in the region through its military actions.
11:50 a.m.
Germany has condemned the Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Wednesday the government “rejects this aggression in the sharpest possible terms.”
She told German public broadcaster ARD that “it’s now particularly up to the Iranians not to engage in further escalation.’
None of the German troops stationed in Iraq were injured.
It joined several European countries in saying their troops in Iraq were not harmed, including France, Poland, Denmark and Finland.
11:35 a.m.
At least one missile from the Iranian strike against U.S. forces in Iraq on Wednesday landed in a field near Bardarash, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s self-governing Kurdish region.
An Iraqi Kurdish channel, Rudaw TV, showed video of police inspecting the impact site and removing shrapnel.
No casualties were reported but residents said the earth shook upon impact, and one man was seen cleaning up slight damage to his house on a nearby street.
The Kurdish region hosts American military forces at its main airport just outside Irbil.
11:15 a.m.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an address to the nation says “we slapped them (Americans) on the face last night” with a missile strike “but military action is not enough.”
He spoke hours after the strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces. The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran’s top military commander in Baghdad.
Khamenei added that the “corrupt presence of the U.S. in the region should come to an end,” saying it has caused war, division, and destruction.
Iran’s supreme leader also invoked the virtues of the slain commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, saying he was a “great, brave warrior” and “dear friend to us.” Huge crowds in Iran have mourned Soleimani’s death last week in the airstrike in Baghdad.
10:45 a.m.
A Russian lawmaker warns that a conflict between the U.S. and Iran might lead to a nuclear war.
The comments by Vladimir Dzhabarov, lawmaker with Russia’s upper house of parliament, on Wednesday followed an Iranian missile strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces. The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing Iran’s top military commander in Baghdad.
“Reciprocal strikes by the U.S. and Iran may lead to an all-out war in the region,” Dzhabarov said. “If Washington sees that it can’t achieve its goals, there’s a danger of a nuclear war.”
The Russian lawmaker said the U.N. Security Council should get involved to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Iraq’s military says it had no troop casualties in the Iranian strike, and President Donald Trump tweeted that“All is well!” as casualty and damage assessments are ongoing.
10:30 a.m.
The Iraqi military says there are no casualties among its troops as a result of an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces.
The military said in a statement carried by the state news agency Wednesday that the attack lasted half an hour, starting at 1:45 a.m. local time.
The statement said 22 missiles were fired. Seventeen missiles hit al-Asad air base, including two that did not explode in the Hitan area west of the town of Hit. Five other missiles hit the northern region of Irbil.
9 a.m.
The energy minister of the United Arab Emirates says he sees no immediate shortages in oil supplies, but that OPEC will be called in if there is an issue.
“The situation is not currently a war situation,” Suhail Al-Mazrouei told reporters Wednesday. “We are all hoping for deescalation. I think wisdom will prevail despite the tension.”
He spoke after an Iranian missile strike at military bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces. The strike was in retaliation for the U.S. killing an Iranian general in Baghdad.
He said even in past times of war, the flow of oil has been maintained.
“So let’s not exaggerate what’s happening. There is no risk that we have seen to the Strait of Hormuz or the movement of oil yet,” Al-Mazrouei said, referring to the narrow waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran through which 20% of the world’s oil passes through.
He spoke reporters in Abu Dhabi at the Gulf Intelligence’s UAE Energy Forum.
Brent crude oil has jumped to around $70 a barrel amid heightened concerns over tensions between Iran and the United States.
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7:40 a.m.
Japan says it will urge governments to do their utmost to help ease tensions following an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces.
The strike came in retaliation for the killing of an Iranian general.
Japanese Chief Cabinet spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday that his “government will coordinate with the related governments to collect intelligence while we ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in the region.”
He added: “Japan will also urge all related nations to do their utmost diplomatic effort to improve the relations.”
He said Japan remained on track to soon deploy a warship to the Gulf to help safeguard Japanese vessels and oil tankers transiting the area.
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7:15 a.m.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says all of his country’s troops and diplomatic staff in Iraq are safe after Iran’s firing of missiles at two military bases there.
Around 300 Australian defense personnel are stationed in Iraq.
Morrison said he spoke with President Donald Trump about the situation between the U.S. and Iran on Tuesday during a call about the wildfires raging in Australia.
Sepaking to reporters Wednesday, Morrison said in reference to the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani: “The United States have taken the action that they have to address what has been intelligence that they say that they received, which was putting their interests at risks and under threat.”
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6:45 a.m.
President Donald Trump says “All is well!” after more than a dozen Iranian missiles were fired at two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq.
Trump tweets that casualty and damage assessments are ongoing but adds, “So far, so good!”
He says he will be making a statement on the strikes Wednesday morning.
Iranian state TV says the missile strikes were retaliation for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying.
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6:05 a.m.
Iran’s foreign minister is calling Tuesday night’s ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops “proportionate measures in self-defense.”
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has also tweeted, “’We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”
His tweet follows the missile attack in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike last week in Baghdad.
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6 a.m.
Iran has buried a top Revolutionary Guard general slain by U.S. airstrike in Baghdad after a stampede at his funeral killed 56 and Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing American troops in response.
Officials lowered the shroud-wrapped remains of Qassem Soleimani into the ground in the southeastern city of Kerman just before 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Mourners at the grave site wailed.
Soleimani’s death in the airstrikes has drastically raised tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iran launched a ballistic missile attack just hours earlier on two Iraqi bases housing American troops.
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5:55 a.m.
A U.S. official says there were very few, if any, casualties from Tuesday night’s Iranian missile attack on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of a Pentagon briefing.
The official says 15 missiles were fired. Ten struck the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar province. One struck a base in Irbil in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region. Four missiles failed to hit their targets.
The official says the bases are still being searched for casualties.
Iranian state TV says the missile strikes were retaliation for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week — in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying.
— Lolita C. Baldor
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5:10 a.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration is barring U.S. pilots and carriers from flying in areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace.
The agency is warning of the “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The emergency flight restrictions follow ballistic missile strikes Tuesday on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops.
Such restrictions are often precautionary in nature to prevent civilian aircraft from being confused for ones engaged in armed conflict. The FAA says the restrictions are being issued due to “heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East, which present an inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations.”
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4:30 a.m.
Vice President Mike Pence has briefed top Democrats in Congress on the Iranian strikes on installations in Iraq holding U.S. forces.
Aides to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both confirmed the lawmakers spoke with the vice president by telephone Tuesday.
Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer, says the New York Democrat is closely monitoring the situation and is praying for the safety of service members and other personnel.
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted that the speaker returned a call from the vice president moments after presiding over the House.
Katie Waldman, a spokeswoman for the vice president, says Pence has been in continuous contact with national security officials and made calls to congressional leadership at President Donald Trump’s direction.
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3:45 a.m.
The Pentagon is confirming that Iran has launched “more than a dozen ballistic missiles” at two targets hosting against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq.
Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman says “It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran.”
He says the attacks “targeted at least two Iraqi military bases” at Ain Assad and Irbil.
Hoffman says the U.S. is “working on initial battle damage assessments.”
Iranian state TV says the attack was in revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose funeral Tuesday prompted angry calls to avenge his death.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Former U.S. goalie Tim Howard joins Memphis soccer franchise

MEMPHIS , Tenn. — Former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard is taking a job with Memphis , the United Soccer League team in which he already has a stake as a part owner .
Memphis announced the move Wednesday .
It is unclear Howard will take a paycheck .
But president Craig Unger says Howard brings knowledge and experience to the job that can ’ t be replicated .
Howard played 13 years in the English Premier League and also had 121 appearances with the U.S. national team .
He will work full-time helping pick players , while also developing approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Memphis has nine players returning from its inaugural season .
“ As a minority owner it ’ s nice to sit up there in a suite , ” Howard said in a release “ ( But ) by the nature of who I am , my competitive spirit , the goalkeeper in me , this role has given me an excitement that mimics playing.
” Memphis also named James Roeling as assistant sporting director .
He spent the past six seasons with the Colorado Rapids as senior manager of team operations .

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard is taking a job with Memphis, the United Soccer League team in which he already has a stake as a part owner.
Memphis announced the move Wednesday. It is unclear Howard will take a paycheck.
But president Craig Unger says Howard brings knowledge and experience to the job that can’t be replicated.
Howard played 13 years in the English Premier League and also had 121 appearances with the U.S. national team. He will work full-time helping pick players, while also developing approaches for both the club and technical staff. Memphis has nine players returning from its inaugural season.
“As a minority owner it’s nice to sit up there in a suite,” Howard said in a release “(But) by the nature of who I am, my competitive spirit, the goalkeeper in me, this role has given me an excitement that mimics playing.”
Memphis also named James Roeling as assistant sporting director. He spent the past six seasons with the Colorado Rapids as senior manager of team operations.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Kiszla: Why Broncos Country should hope Tom Brady leaves New England and relocates to the AFC West

At 12-to-1 odds , the Denver Broncos are listed by Las Vegas bookies as a dark horse in the race to land the services of quarterback Tom Brady , soon to be a free agent after 20 NFL seasons in New England .
My suggestion to Broncomaniacs : Go ahead and bet the house , so long as you don ’ t mind losing it .
Brady wearing orange and blue in 2020 ?
That ’ s a sucker bet , homie .
At age 42 , Brady would be a middle-age crazy , stark-raving dad to move Gisele and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons .
No .
1 : Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles might send Old Tom into early retirement , if not to an early grave .
No .
2 : At this point in his career , I ’ m not certain Brady would enjoy serving as the backup QB to Denver starter Drew Lock .
The Broncos would be nuts to pay Brady 25 cents , much less $ 25 million .
Yes , Denver won Super Bowl 50 with an aging NFL legend named Peyton Manning under center .
But way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 touchdown passes for Denver at age 38 , he talked about how the game unceremoniously informs a quarterback it ’ s time to hang up his football cleats .
“ Brady said he was going to play until he ( stunk ) , ” Manning said .
“ That ’ s a pretty good line .
I kind of feel the same … Yeah , right until you ( stink ) .
I think that ’ s a pretty good rule.
” Play until you stink ?
If Brady were true to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s highly unlikely , however , he will quit before the sport humbles him .
As Brady defiantly declared Wednesday on an Instagram post : “ You don ’ t always win .
You can , however , learn from that failure , pick yourself up with great enthusiasm , and place yourself in the arena again .
And that ’ s right where you will find me .
Because I know I still have more to prove.
” This past season , when Brady threw a pick-six to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New England ’ s dynasty , it might be a stretch to say Handsome Tom stunk .
But it certainly smelled like the end was near .
Fans in New England want to suspend disbelief , but here in Denver we ’ ve already seen this movie .
At the end , when Manning couldn ’ t be PFM any longer , he hid behind his legendary mystique and hoped defenses didn ’ t notice his vulnerabilities .
While Brady can rationalize his decline in production on the retirement of tight end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belichick to stock the New England offense with sufficient talent , the quarterback wearing No .
12 for the Patriots is no longer Tom Terrific , but a fading legend trying to do a convincing imitation of the Hall of Fame player he used to be .
It appears the most dangerous thing in Brady ’ s possession at this point is the free-agency card , which he can play to coerce the Patriots to go buy him some new teammates that can cover for his inevitable decline .
Should New England agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his competitive spirit by adding weapons such as 49ers receiver Emmanuel Sanders or Falcons tight end Austin Hooper as free agents , maybe the Patriots cobble together a roster that allows Brady one more postseason run .
But wouldn ’ t it be a far juicier story if Brady left New England ?
He has the star appeal to help the Chargers finally get noticed , and maybe even sell a few tickets , in Los Angeles .
It would also be awesome to see Brady sign with the Raiders and take his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manilow , Shania Twain and every other fading star on the Strip to chase one more big score at the expense of Baby Boomers nostalgic for the good old days .
But know what would be the coolest thing about Brady wearing powder blue for the Chargers or the silver and black of the Raiders ?
We ’ d get a chance to see Lock beat the pants off Old Tom twice a year .

At 12-to-1 odds, the Denver Broncos are listed by Las Vegas bookies as a dark horse in the race to land the services of quarterback Tom Brady, soon to be a free agent after 20 NFL seasons in New England.
My suggestion to Broncomaniacs: Go ahead and bet the house, so long as you don’t mind losing it.
Brady wearing orange and blue in 2020? That’s a sucker bet, homie. At age 42, Brady would be a middle-age crazy, stark-raving dad to move Gisele and the kids to Colorado for two big reasons.
No. 1: Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles might send Old Tom into early retirement, if not to an early grave.
No. 2: At this point in his career, I’m not certain Brady would enjoy serving as the backup QB to Denver starter Drew Lock.
The Broncos would be nuts to pay Brady 25 cents, much less $25 million.
Yes, Denver won Super Bowl 50 with an aging NFL legend named Peyton Manning under center. But way back in 2014, when Manning threw 39 touchdown passes for Denver at age 38, he talked about how the game unceremoniously informs a quarterback it’s time to hang up his football cleats.
“Brady said he was going to play until he (stunk),” Manning said. “That’s a pretty good line. I kind of feel the same … Yeah, right until you (stink). I think that’s a pretty good rule.”
Play until you stink? If Brady were true to his principles, he would retire now. It’s highly unlikely, however, he will quit before the sport humbles him.
As Brady defiantly declared Wednesday on an Instagram post: “You don’t always win. You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again. And that’s right where you will find me. Because I know I still have more to prove.”
This past season, when Brady threw a pick-six to close the book on a 20-13 playoff loss and New England’s dynasty, it might be a stretch to say Handsome Tom stunk. But it certainly smelled like the end was near.
Fans in New England want to suspend disbelief, but here in Denver we’ve already seen this movie. At the end, when Manning couldn’t be PFM any longer, he hid behind his legendary mystique and hoped defenses didn’t notice his vulnerabilities.
While Brady can rationalize his decline in production on the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski or the failure of Bill Belichick to stock the New England offense with sufficient talent, the quarterback wearing No. 12 for the Patriots is no longer Tom Terrific, but a fading legend trying to do a convincing imitation of the Hall of Fame player he used to be.
It appears the most dangerous thing in Brady’s possession at this point is the free-agency card, which he can play to coerce the Patriots to go buy him some new teammates that can cover for his inevitable decline. Should New England agree to soothe his ego and gamble on his competitive spirit by adding weapons such as 49ers receiver Emmanuel Sanders or Falcons tight end Austin Hooper as free agents, maybe the Patriots cobble together a roster that allows Brady one more postseason run.
But wouldn’t it be a far juicier story if Brady left New England?
Here’s hoping Brady beats a path straight to the AFC West.
He has the star appeal to help the Chargers finally get noticed, and maybe even sell a few tickets, in Los Angeles.
It would also be awesome to see Brady sign with the Raiders and take his act to Las Vegas, joining Barry Manilow, Shania Twain and every other fading star on the Strip to chase one more big score at the expense of Baby Boomers nostalgic for the good old days.
But know what would be the coolest thing about Brady wearing powder blue for the Chargers or the silver and black of the Raiders?
We’d get a chance to see Lock beat the pants off Old Tom twice a year.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Video: Police impersonator flashes gold badge in Jefferson County, is later arrested

Investigators in Jefferson County arrested a police impersonator suspect Wednesday , the sheriff ’ s office said .
About 8 @ @ @ @ @ “ flashed a fake badge ” and motioned for a woman to pull over in @ @ @ @ @ West Alameda Parkway , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
The man identified @ @ @ @ @ agent ” and showed a gold Interpol U.S. special agent badge while asking the driver @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver , who was suspicious about the traffic stop , didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ instead said to a passenger who shot cellphone video of the incident : “ I @ @ @ @ @ here.
” After releasing video and a photo from the incident , the sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ said Michael Nelson , 50 , was arrested as a suspect .
Nelson was held @ @ @ @ @ peace officer and false imprisonment .

Investigators in Jefferson County arrested a police impersonator suspect Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said.
About 8 a.m. Tuesday, a man “flashed a fake badge” and motioned for a woman to pull over in traffic on eastbound C-470 near West Alameda Parkway, according to the sheriff’s office.
*January 7th, 2020
Images of suspect from the video pic.twitter.com/s2VqwO2drD — Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) January 8, 2020
The man identified himself as a “federal agent” and showed a gold Interpol U.S. special agent badge while asking the driver for her identification and registration.
The driver, who was suspicious about the traffic stop, didn’t abide with the demand and instead said to a passenger who shot cellphone video of the incident: “I’m getting out of here.”
Update to police impersonator: 50 year old Michael Nelson has been arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment. Thank you to everyone who shared and to everyone who called in tips. All this and good police work is what led to an arrest. pic.twitter.com/VyQ09CYDaw — Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) January 9, 2020
After releasing video and a photo from the incident, the sheriff’s office on Wednesday evening said Michael Nelson, 50, was arrested as a suspect. Nelson was held on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Last year, more than 8,500 Coloradans were busted for impaired driving

During the four-day period surrounding the New Year , 348 people were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving in Colorado .
That number exceeded the 334 people arrested during the same time last year , according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation .
Every year , CDOT and various police and sheriff ’ s agencies participate in the Heat Is On initiative where more officers patrol the roads around holidays , Super Bowl Weekend and the height of summer break .
In 2018 , authorities made 8,315 DUI arrests during these periods , with an average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CDOT .
The number doesn ’ t include those who were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence outside the special enforcement dates .
“ People made the wrong decision of New Years and paid the price for that , ” CDOT spokesman Sam Cole said .
The length of the enforcement periods vary .
The Super Bowl weekend enforcement starts on Jan. 31 and ends Feb. 3 .
The Spring Events period , meanwhile , begins on April 3 and ends on May 11 , a total of 39 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with holidays that see a spike in DUI arrests , Cole said .
Denver led the state with 33 DUI arrests over the 2020 New Year ’ s Eve holiday and will deploy five more officers during the 11-day Winter Blitz , which begins on Jan. 17 .
There were 176 DUI deaths in 2019 , a number that could change pending toxicology reports , the release said .
Agencies are hoping that Heat Is On will reduce that number for 2020 .
“ A vehicle with an impaired driver behind the wheel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road , ” Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard was quoted saying in the news release .
“ There are still far too many impaired drivers that could cause harm to people out on our state ’ s roadways .

During the four-day period surrounding the New Year, 348 people were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving in Colorado.
That number exceeded the 334 people arrested during the same time last year, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Every year, CDOT and various police and sheriff’s agencies participate in the Heat Is On initiative where more officers patrol the roads around holidays, Super Bowl Weekend and the height of summer break.
In 2018, authorities made 8,315 DUI arrests during these periods, with an average of 48 arrests each day, according to CDOT. The number doesn’t include those who were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence outside the special enforcement dates.
“People made the wrong decision of New Years and paid the price for that,” CDOT spokesman Sam Cole said.
The length of the enforcement periods vary. The Super Bowl weekend enforcement starts on Jan. 31 and ends Feb. 3. The Spring Events period, meanwhile, begins on April 3 and ends on May 11, a total of 39 days. The enforcement periods tend to correspond with holidays that see a spike in DUI arrests, Cole said.
Denver led the state with 33 DUI arrests over the 2020 New Year’s Eve holiday and will deploy five more officers during the 11-day Winter Blitz, which begins on Jan. 17.
There were 176 DUI deaths in 2019, a number that could change pending toxicology reports, the release said. Agencies are hoping that Heat Is On will reduce that number for 2020.
“A vehicle with an impaired driver behind the wheel is a serious threat to everyone on the road,” Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard was quoted saying in the news release. “There are still far too many impaired drivers that could cause harm to people out on our state’s roadways.


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Famed golf course designer Pete Dye dies at 94

Pete Dye never thought golf was meant to be fair , inspiring him to build courses that were visually intimidating .
The island green at the TPC Sawgrass .
More bunkers than could be counted at Whistling Straits .
Dye , among the forefront of modern golf architecture , died Thursday morning at age 94 .
His company , Dye Design , posted the news on its Twitter account .
Dye had been suffering from Alzheimer ’ s .
His golf courses have held four major championships , most recently at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin , which will host the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had several courses on the PGA Tour , mostly notably the TPC Sawgrass , where the Stadium Course has held The Players Championship since 1982 .
Many of the courses were designed with his wife , Alice , who died last February at 91 .
She famously suggested to her husband as they were clearing out a swamp at Sawgrass , “ Why not just make an island green ?
” “ He was an icon when it comes to golf course design , ” said Brandt Snedeker , who won at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Carolina .
“ He was a guy who really made you uncomfortable the whole round .
And he did it visually .
He ’ d always make you think .
“ He ’ s one of those guys that you respected him because he built some great golf courses , ” Snedeker said with a smile .
“ But in the midst of playing them , you hated his guts.
” His courses were often described as “ Dye-abolical ” because of the penalties they could inflict with a bad shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often difficult .
Among them was Blackwolf Run , where Se Ri Pak won her first U.S. Women ’ s Open in 1998 at 6-over par .
Dye was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008 PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan called him “ one of the most important course architects of this or any generation .
”

Pete Dye never thought golf was meant to be fair, inspiring him to build courses that visually intimidated recreational players to the best in the world.
The island green at the TPC Sawgrass. Railroad ties that gave frightening definition of putting surfaces fronted by water. More bunkers than could be counted at Whistling Straits.
Dye, among the forefront of modern golf architecture, died Thursday morning in the Dominican Republic at age 94, a spokesperson at Dye Design said. He had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years.
“You respected him because he built some great golf courses, but in the midst of playing them, you hated his guts,” Brandt Snedeker said with a smile.
His name turned out to be the perfect adjective for his challenging courses — “Dye-abolical.”
Jack Nicklaus said he owes his second career in golf course design to Dye, whom he first met some 50 years ago.
“I think Pete Dye was the most creative, imaginative and unconventional golf course designer I have ever been around,” Nicklaus said. “Pete would try things that nobody else would ever think of doing or certainly try to do, and he was successful at it. If there was a problem to solve, you solved it Pete’s way. In the end, Pete’s way usually turned out to be the right way.”
Greg Norman referred to him as the “Picasso of golf architecture” who changed golf course design in the 20th century.
His golf courses have held four major championships, most recently at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, which will host the Ryder Cup this year.
“While Pete designed to torment the most accomplished professional, his forward tees allowed the most inexperienced to play,” said Herb Kohler, who brought Dye to Wisconsin to build courses such as Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. “He would challenge the professional both physically and mentally, while remarkably accommodating the raw amateur who was learning the game..”
Dye also had several courses on the PGA Tour, mostly notably the TPC Sawgrass, where the Stadium Course has held The Players Championship since 1982. It was little more than swamp land that the PGA Tour purchased for $1. Dye turned it into a course where there hasn’t been a stereotype for the brand of golf that suits it best.
It can be scary. It can yield low scores. There is rarely a dull moment.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan called him ”one of the most important course architects of this or any generation.”
The major champions at Dye’s courses included John Daly at Crooked Stick for the 1991 PGA Championship; Vijay Singh, Martin Kaymer and Jason Day at Whistling Straits for the PGA Championship in 2004, 2010 and 2015; and Rory McIlroy at Kiawah Island in the 2012 PGA Championship.
“You can’t mistake a Pete Dye. You knew it was his as soon as you played it,” Singh said. “He had a different set of rules when he built golf courses and every single one he built was tough.”
Suzy Whaley, the president of the PGA of America, said Dye “left an imprint on the world of golf that will be experienced for generations, painting wonderful pictures with the land that continue to inspire, entertain and challenge us.”
Many of the courses were designed with his wife, Alice, who died last February at 91. She famously suggested to her husband as they were clearing out a swamp at Sawgrass, “Why not just make an island green?”
“He was an icon when it comes to golf course design,” said Snedeker, who won at the Dye-designed Harbourtown Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. “He was a guy who really made you uncomfortable the whole round. And he did it visually. He’d always make you think.
Born in Urbana, Ohio, Dye sold life insurance when he and his wife had a chance to build their first golf course, a nine-hole track near Indianapolis called El Dorado.
The next year, his wife sent out a rendition of the course with hopes they might get more work. One letter went to Richard Tufts, a former USGA president whose family owned Pinehurst. Alice Dye had won the North & South and knew Tufts.
“He wrote back and said he thought it was wonderful,” Dye said in 2008 when he was selected for the World Golf Hall of Fame. “He said, ‘I think it’s wonderful of you kids to build this nine-hole golf course. But don’t you think crossing a creek 13 times in nine holes is just a little too much?”’
The following autumn, Dye said Harlan Hatcher from the University of Michigan was passing through Indianapolis and played his nine-hole course. That led to him bringing Dye to Ann Arbor to build the university’s golf course.
“And we’ve been digging up other people’s property ever since,” Dye said.
Charles Howell III recalls the time Dye walked nine holes with him for a practice round at Whistling Straits during the 2004 PGA Championship.
“I would ask him, ‘Mr. Dye, why would you put that bunker right there. What were you thinking?’ And he would look at me and said dryly, ‘Just to (tick) you off.’ He was a good man who obviously loved golf, just a wonderful course designer who knew how to make difficult golf courses,” Howell said.
“If you were going to play well around his places, you couldn’t fake it,” he said. “It’s a sad loss for golf. His footprint was at all of his places, undeniably, and not a lot of designers can say that. And boy, you knew it was going to be tough.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Mountain West reaches 6-year deals with CBS, Fox Sports

DENVER — The Mountain West has agreed to six-year media rights deals with CBS Sports and Fox Sports that are worth a combined $ 270 million .
The agreements include football and men ’ s basketball .
The deals begin in 2020-21 and run through the 2025-26 season , the conference announced Thursday .
There are additional third-tier rights still in negotiation .
This marks the inaugural arrangement between the league and Fox , which will show the conference ’ s football championship game .
The CBS Sports Network remains the primary television rights holder .
“ Retaining the conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network is important and builds upon our already strong schedule , ” said Dan Weinberg , the executive vice president for programming for CBS Sports .
“ We look forward to an exciting future with the conference in the years ahead.
” The annual football deal for CBS Sports breaks down like this : 23 games on CBS or CBSSN , with a minimum of three games annually on CBS .
There will also be 10 additional games available for CBS .
The network receives the first seven picks of conference-controlled games and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road games .
Fox will show the football championship game on either Fox or FS1 and it will be played either on a Friday or Saturday .
In addition , there will be 16 to 23 games shown during the regular season .
The network has rights to all Boise State home games .
A maximum of four Hawaii football games can be picked collectively by the two networks each year .
“ Fox Sports is pleased to add the Mountain West to our roster of top-tier collegiate athletics partnerships , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for national networks .
“ We look forward to showcasing these exceptional programs , coaches and student-athletes in the years to come.
” On the basketball side , CBS networks will show the Mountain West men ’ s basketball championship game on CBS .
The game will be played on the NCAA Tournament selection weekend .
There will also be 32 games on CBS or CBSSN .
The network receives the first 12 picks of league-controlled games and then alternates with Fox .
For Fox Sports , it will show 16 to 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 annually on Fox or FS1 .
The other contests will be featured on FS1 or FS2 .
“ The Mountain West is excited to begin this next cycle with FOX Sports as a new partner , ” conference Commissioner Craig Thompson said .
“ The relationship allows us to be part of the network ’ s growing collegiate programming and we look forward to working together toward mutual success.
” On the CBS Sports deal , Thompson said : “ The Mountain West is pleased to enhance and strengthen our mutually beneficial @ @ @ @ @ @

DENVER — The Mountain West has agreed to six-year media rights deals with CBS Sports and Fox Sports that are worth a combined $270 million.
The agreements include football and men’s basketball. The deals begin in 2020-21 and run through the 2025-26 season, the conference announced Thursday. There are additional third-tier rights still in negotiation.
This marks the inaugural arrangement between the league and Fox, which will show the conference’s football championship game. The CBS Sports Network remains the primary television rights holder.
“Retaining the conference’s top games for CBS Sports Network is important and builds upon our already strong schedule,” said Dan Weinberg, the executive vice president for programming for CBS Sports. “We look forward to an exciting future with the conference in the years ahead.”
The annual football deal for CBS Sports breaks down like this: 23 games on CBS or CBSSN, with a minimum of three games annually on CBS. There will also be 10 additional games available for CBS. The network receives the first seven picks of conference-controlled games and the rights to all Boise State conference road games.
Fox will show the football championship game on either Fox or FS1 and it will be played either on a Friday or Saturday. In addition, there will be 16 to 23 games shown during the regular season. The network has rights to all Boise State home games.
A maximum of four Hawaii football games can be picked collectively by the two networks each year.
“Fox Sports is pleased to add the Mountain West to our roster of top-tier collegiate athletics partnerships,” said Mark Silverman, the Fox Sports president for national networks. “We look forward to showcasing these exceptional programs, coaches and student-athletes in the years to come.”
On the basketball side, CBS networks will show the Mountain West men’s basketball championship game on CBS. The game will be played on the NCAA Tournament selection weekend. There will also be 32 games on CBS or CBSSN. The network receives the first 12 picks of league-controlled games and then alternates with Fox.
For Fox Sports, it will show 16 to 32 regular season games with a minimum of 12 annually on Fox or FS1. The other contests will be featured on FS1 or FS2.
“The Mountain West is excited to begin this next cycle with FOX Sports as a new partner,” conference Commissioner Craig Thompson said. “The relationship allows us to be part of the network’s growing collegiate programming and we look forward to working together toward mutual success.”
On the CBS Sports deal, Thompson said: “The Mountain West is pleased to enhance and strengthen our mutually beneficial association with CBS Sports.”