cnbc--2020-01-07--Elizabeth Warren unveils plan to overhaul bankruptcy laws, spotlighting differences with Biden

Democratic presidential contender Elizabeth Warren unveiled a proposal on Tuesday to overhaul the nation 's personal bankruptcy laws , a direct challenge to rival Joe Biden over landmark legislation from more than a decade ago that she opposed and he supported .
`` I 'm announcing my plan to repeal the harmful provisions in the 2005 bankruptcy bill and overhaul consumer bankruptcy rules in this country to give Americans a better chance of getting back on their feet , '' Warren wrote in the plan , which the campaign posted on the blogging platform Medium .
The plan does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warren was one of the nation 's leading scholars of bankruptcy law , teaching at Harvard Law School and other universities , before she won her seat in the Senate .
The Massachusetts progressive vigorously opposed the 2005 bankruptcy bill while it was under consideration in Congress , while then-Sen. Biden helped to shepherd its passage .
The fight over the law was one of the precipitating factors behind Warren 's transition from academia into public office and is one of the central policy differences animating the clash between her and Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
Read more : 'Do n't threaten me ' : Court records show Elizabeth Warren turned down lucrative job after hearing from consumer group The day after Biden entered the race in April , Warren accused him of having been on the `` side of the credit card companies . ''
`` Our disagreement is a matter of public record , '' she said at the time .
In her plan , Warren said she `` lost that fight in 2005 '' but `` did n't stop fighting to hold the financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , the federal regulator established in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis .
The CFPB has returned nearly $ 12 billion to consumers since it was created , according to government figures .
She wrote in her plan that the 2005 bill made that crisis `` significantly worse . ''
While bankruptcy has not been one of the top issues that Democrats have seized on in the primary , it is a topic central to Warren 's political identity .
`` I spent most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why do American families go broke ? ''
she wrote .
Warren is in third place in the Democratic presidential race , according to national surveys , behind front-runner Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. Warren has fallen in the polls since early October , when she at times was polling narrowly ahead of Biden .
Biden did not respond to a request for comment .
But in May , the campaign responded to a similar critique by saying in a statement that in 2005 it was `` a certainty that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bankruptcy bill into law . ''
Biden `` fought for and won important concessions for middle class families in it , including protecting access to Chapter 7 forgiveness for working people , making child support and alimony the number one priority for debt payments — in front of big banks and credit card companies — and forcing credit card companies to warn borrowers about their interest rates , '' the campaign said at the time .
Warren said her bankruptcy plan will make it easier for those who are in debt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending `` the absurd rules that make it nearly impossible to discharge student loan debt . ''
She said the plan will address racial and gender disparities in the personal bankruptcy system and make it easier for people to take care of themselves and their children during the bankruptcy process .
`` Thanks in part to the 2005 bankruptcy bill , our current system makes it far too hard for people in need to start the bankruptcy process so they can get back on their feet , '' Warren wrote .
`` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and gives people more flexibility in bankruptcy to find solutions that match their financial problems . ''
The plan targets provisions of the 2005 legislation that Warren says made the bankruptcy process more complicated and expensive for individuals .
She would do away with paperwork requirements in the bill that she said `` imposed the same onerous paperwork requirements on a middle-class American filing bankruptcy that it did on a wealthy real-estate developer . ''
The plan would do away with filing fees for those who are below the federal poverty line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys ' fees during or after bankruptcy , rather than just up front .
Warren said the plan would also reduce the cost of hiring a consumer bankruptcy attorney by doing away with rules imposed on those lawyers by the 2005 legislation .
That legislation requires personal bankruptcy lawyers to certify the accuracy of financial disclosures and provide financial advice , among other obligations , Warren said .
The plan takes particular aim at Chapter 13 bankruptcy , which Warren characterizes as `` longer and less generous '' than Chapter 7 .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawn to Chapter 13 , citing data reported by the investigative outlet ProPublica .
Chapter 7 bankruptcies cost about $ 1,200 while Chapter 13 bankruptcies cost about $ 3,200 , Warren wrote , but Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires filers to have the cash up front , while those in Chapter 13 can pay over time .
Under Chapter 7 , a bankrupt individual 's assets , such as their homes , are sold by a trustee , while Chapter 13 allows for them to stop foreclosure proceedings .
But Warren wrote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it 's `` the only way they can afford to pay their bankruptcy lawyer . ''
`` Forcing people into Chapter 13 because they can not afford to pay their lawyer up front is a ridiculous way to run a consumer debt relief system , '' Warren wrote .
Warren said that in contrast , her plan `` offers a single system available to all consumers . ''
`` When people file for bankruptcy , they would disclose all of their debts , assets , and income , just as they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And just as under the current system , creditors must stop all collection actions against the debtor outside of bankruptcy court . ''
Rather than opting for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy , though , Warren wrote that filers would `` choose from a menu of options for addressing their debts . ''
`` The menu of options available would include a Chapter 7-type option of surrendering all non-exempt property in exchange for having their unpaid debts 'discharged , ' as well as options that allow people to deal with specific financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she wrote .
Warren said her proposals will make the bankruptcy process `` cheaper and quicker . ''
`` And speed is important .
Research has shown that the 'sweatbox ' period when consumers wrestle with the decision to file for bankruptcy is particularly damaging to families and their financial health , '' Warren said .
`` The 2005 law benefited credit card companies by extending the sweatbox period . ''
Warren also pledged to close what she characterized as `` loopholes '' in federal bankruptcy law , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempts certain trusts from bankruptcy claims .
Her plan would also block individuals from using bankruptcy as a shield against civil rights claims , such as debts arising from police brutality , while eliminating some of the protections for local government fines , which disproportionately affect black and low-income communities .

Democratic presidential hopefuls Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (L) and former Vice President Joe Biden take part in the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 2019. Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images
Democratic presidential contender Elizabeth Warren unveiled a proposal on Tuesday to overhaul the nation's personal bankruptcy laws, a direct challenge to rival Joe Biden over landmark legislation from more than a decade ago that she opposed and he supported. "I'm announcing my plan to repeal the harmful provisions in the 2005 bankruptcy bill and overhaul consumer bankruptcy rules in this country to give Americans a better chance of getting back on their feet," Warren wrote in the plan, which the campaign posted on the blogging platform Medium. The plan does not mention former Vice President Biden by name. Warren was one of the nation's leading scholars of bankruptcy law, teaching at Harvard Law School and other universities, before she won her seat in the Senate. The Massachusetts progressive vigorously opposed the 2005 bankruptcy bill while it was under consideration in Congress, while then-Sen. Biden helped to shepherd its passage. The fight over the law was one of the precipitating factors behind Warren's transition from academia into public office and is one of the central policy differences animating the clash between her and Biden, who is more moderate on most issues.
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Read more: 'Don't threaten me': Court records show Elizabeth Warren turned down lucrative job after hearing from consumer group The day after Biden entered the race in April, Warren accused him of having been on the "side of the credit card companies." "Our disagreement is a matter of public record," she said at the time. In her plan, Warren said she "lost that fight in 2005" but "didn't stop fighting to hold the financial industry accountable," noting her role in creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the federal regulator established in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The CFPB has returned nearly $12 billion to consumers since it was created, according to government figures. She wrote in her plan that the 2005 bill made that crisis "significantly worse." While bankruptcy has not been one of the top issues that Democrats have seized on in the primary, it is a topic central to Warren's political identity.
"I spent most of my career studying one simple question: why do American families go broke?" she wrote. Warren is in third place in the Democratic presidential race, according to national surveys, behind front-runner Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Warren has fallen in the polls since early October, when she at times was polling narrowly ahead of Biden. Biden did not respond to a request for comment. But in May, the campaign responded to a similar critique by saying in a statement that in 2005 it was "a certainty that the Republican-controlled Congress and White House would turn the bankruptcy bill into law." Biden "fought for and won important concessions for middle class families in it, including protecting access to Chapter 7 forgiveness for working people, making child support and alimony the number one priority for debt payments — in front of big banks and credit card companies — and forcing credit card companies to warn borrowers about their interest rates," the campaign said at the time.
watch now
Warren said her bankruptcy plan will make it easier for those who are in debt to obtain relief through bankruptcy, including by ending "the absurd rules that make it nearly impossible to discharge student loan debt." She said the plan will address racial and gender disparities in the personal bankruptcy system and make it easier for people to take care of themselves and their children during the bankruptcy process. "Thanks in part to the 2005 bankruptcy bill, our current system makes it far too hard for people in need to start the bankruptcy process so they can get back on their feet," Warren wrote. "My plan streamlines the process, reduces costs, and gives people more flexibility in bankruptcy to find solutions that match their financial problems." The plan targets provisions of the 2005 legislation that Warren says made the bankruptcy process more complicated and expensive for individuals. She would do away with paperwork requirements in the bill that she said "imposed the same onerous paperwork requirements on a middle-class American filing bankruptcy that it did on a wealthy real-estate developer." The plan would do away with filing fees for those who are below the federal poverty line and allow Chapter 7 filers to pay attorneys' fees during or after bankruptcy, rather than just up front. Warren said the plan would also reduce the cost of hiring a consumer bankruptcy attorney by doing away with rules imposed on those lawyers by the 2005 legislation. That legislation requires personal bankruptcy lawyers to certify the accuracy of financial disclosures and provide financial advice, among other obligations, Warren said. The plan takes particular aim at Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which Warren characterizes as "longer and less generous" than Chapter 7. Warren noted that black bankruptcy filers are disproportionately drawn to Chapter 13, citing data reported by the investigative outlet ProPublica. Chapter 7 bankruptcies cost about $1,200 while Chapter 13 bankruptcies cost about $3,200, Warren wrote, but Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires filers to have the cash up front, while those in Chapter 13 can pay over time. Under Chapter 7, a bankrupt individual's assets, such as their homes, are sold by a trustee, while Chapter 13 allows for them to stop foreclosure proceedings. But Warren wrote in the plan that many opt for Chapter 13 because it's "the only way they can afford to pay their bankruptcy lawyer." "Forcing people into Chapter 13 because they cannot afford to pay their lawyer up front is a ridiculous way to run a consumer debt relief system," Warren wrote. Warren said that in contrast, her plan "offers a single system available to all consumers." "When people file for bankruptcy, they would disclose all of their debts, assets, and income, just as they do now," Warren wrote. "And just as under the current system, creditors must stop all collection actions against the debtor outside of bankruptcy court." Rather than opting for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, though, Warren wrote that filers would "choose from a menu of options for addressing their debts." "The menu of options available would include a Chapter 7-type option of surrendering all non-exempt property in exchange for having their unpaid debts 'discharged,' as well as options that allow people to deal with specific financial problems without involving all of their obligations," she wrote. Warren said her proposals will make the bankruptcy process "cheaper and quicker."
"And speed is important. Research has shown that the 'sweatbox' period when consumers wrestle with the decision to file for bankruptcy is particularly damaging to families and their financial health," Warren said. "The 2005 law benefited credit card companies by extending the sweatbox period." Warren also pledged to close what she characterized as "loopholes" in federal bankruptcy law, such as the "Millionaire's Loophole," which exempts certain trusts from bankruptcy claims. Her plan would also block individuals from using bankruptcy as a shield against civil rights claims, such as debts arising from police brutality, while eliminating some of the protections for local government fines, which disproportionately affect black and low-income communities.


cnbc--2020-01-07--GOP Sen. Grassley turns to House Speaker Pelosi for help selling his bipartisan drug pricing bill

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is turning to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for help selling his bipartisan bill to lower drug prices in the Senate .
Grassley told CNBC on Tuesday that he wants to persuade Pelosi to abandon her drug pricing bill , passed by the House in December , and support his legislation .
He argued that there 's `` no other bill that can get the 60 votes required '' to pass the Senate .
The Iowa senator said Pelosi 's bill , which would allow the government to negotiate lower prices for certain drugs , does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upper chamber .
Pelosi 's support would put `` pressure on the leadership of the United States Senate to get our bill up , '' Grassley said on `` Squawk Box . ''
`` The president supports it .
We have bipartisan support in the Senate . ''
A spokesman for Pelosi 's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Grassley , chairman of the Senate Finance Committee , worked with ranking Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon to pass a broad drug pricing bill through their committee in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare bipartisan issue .
Health care remains a top issue for voters ahead of the 2020 election .
Grassley 's bill would make changes to Medicare by adding an out-of-pocket maximum for beneficiaries and capping drug-price increases at the rate of inflation , among other measures .
The bill has stalled due to lack of support from Senate Republicans .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has not scheduled the bill for a vote .
Grassley last month accused him of sabotaging it .
During a briefing with reporters on Dec. 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants it '' but more Republicans do n't support it because McConnell `` asked them not to . ''

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley is turning to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for help selling his bipartisan bill to lower drug prices in the Senate.
Grassley told CNBC on Tuesday that he wants to persuade Pelosi to abandon her drug pricing bill, passed by the House in December, and support his legislation. He argued that there's "no other bill that can get the 60 votes required" to pass the Senate. The Iowa senator said Pelosi's bill, which would allow the government to negotiate lower prices for certain drugs, does not stand a chance in the GOP-controlled upper chamber.
Pelosi's support would put "pressure on the leadership of the United States Senate to get our bill up," Grassley said on "Squawk Box." "The president supports it. We have bipartisan support in the Senate."
A spokesman for Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, worked with ranking Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon to pass a broad drug pricing bill through their committee in July. High prescription costs have become a rare bipartisan issue. Health care remains a top issue for voters ahead of the 2020 election.
Grassley's bill would make changes to Medicare by adding an out-of-pocket maximum for beneficiaries and capping drug-price increases at the rate of inflation, among other measures. The bill has stalled due to lack of support from Senate Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has not scheduled the bill for a vote.
Grassley last month accused him of sabotaging it. During a briefing with reporters on Dec. 18, Grassley said that "the president wants it" but more Republicans don't support it because McConnell "asked them not to."


cnbc--2020-01-07--US military says general's letter announcing Iraq withdrawal was a mistake: 'This is not what's happ

US military says general's letter announcing Iraq withdrawal was a mistake: 'This is not what's happening'

A U.S. Army armored vehicle flies an American flag as it provides security escort for a convoy in this file photo from 2011 .
The Pentagon on Monday said that a U.S. general 's letter informing Iraq 's Defense Ministry that U.S.-led coalition troops would leave Iraq `` was a mistake , '' and American Defense officials insisted that the troops would remain there .
`` That letter is a draft , it was a mistake , it was unsigned , it should never have been released , '' Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told reporters hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Marine Brig .
Gen. William Seely were published by the Reuters and AFP wire services .
`` That is not what 's happening , '' he continued .
The general 's comments came after the top U.S. Defense official appeared to be confused about the letter Monday .
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters earlier , `` We are repositioning forces throughout the region , No .
1 . ''
`` Beyond that with regard to the letter , which I 've read once , I ca n't tell you the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` That letter is inconsistent of where we are right now . ''
`` There has been no decision whatsoever to leave , '' he said .
The letter to Iraq 's Defense Ministry came to light a day after Iraq 's parliament voted to expel all foreign forces from the country .
Neither Esper nor Milley would clarify how the letter was made public , or who directed it to be drafted .
Neither Seely nor Pentagon spokesmen responded to questions about the letter 's origin .

A U.S. Army armored vehicle flies an American flag as it provides security escort for a convoy in this file photo from 2011.
The Pentagon on Monday said that a U.S. general's letter informing Iraq's Defense Ministry that U.S.-led coalition troops would leave Iraq "was a mistake," and American Defense officials insisted that the troops would remain there.
"That letter is a draft, it was a mistake, it was unsigned, it should never have been released," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told reporters hours after reports about the letter ostensibly written by Marine Brig. Gen. William Seely were published by the Reuters and AFP wire services.
"Poorly worded, implies withdrawal," Milley said.
"That is not what's happening," he continued.
The general's comments came after the top U.S. Defense official appeared to be confused about the letter Monday. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters earlier, "We are repositioning forces throughout the region, No. 1."
"Beyond that with regard to the letter, which I've read once, I can't tell you the veracity of that letter," Esper said. "That letter is inconsistent of where we are right now."
"There has been no decision whatsoever to leave," he said.
The letter to Iraq's Defense Ministry came to light a day after Iraq's parliament voted to expel all foreign forces from the country.
Neither Esper nor Milley would clarify how the letter was made public, or who directed it to be drafted.
Neither Seely nor Pentagon spokesmen responded to questions about the letter's origin.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Cyberattack and proxy violence warnings as Iran threatens 'nightmare' revenge against US

Weeping over the coffin of slain Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani , killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad , Iran 's supreme leader vowed severe revenge on America , echoing the anger of more than a million mourners in the streets of Tehran .
`` Harsh revenge '' awaited the `` criminals '' who killed Soleimani , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared .
The U.S. assassination of Soleimani , the leader of Iran 's elite Quds force , the foreign arm of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , has prompted `` 13 revenge scenarios , '' Iran 's Supreme National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario , carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans , '' Ali Shamkhani said .
And the world appears to be taking it seriously : Markets fell on the news and money is moving into safe havens like gold in the face of potentially greater conflict in the Middle East .
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned of `` homeland-based plots '' against infrastructure targets including cyberattacks by Iranian proxies like Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .
`` The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into already extremely tense region , '' Ellie Geranmayeh , a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations , told CNBC .
`` This move has exposed every American boot on the ground to a possible retaliatory attack . ''
Soleimani 's killing followed the storming of the American Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias in the last week of December , reportedly at the Soleimani 's direction .
The violent demonstration was prompted by U.S. airstrikes that killed 25 of those militia members in retaliation for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an American contractor on Dec. 28 .
Washington has called on all U.S. citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately , and it 's sending 3,500 additional troops to the region .
But as speculation mounts over Iran 's next moves , analysts say Tehran does not want to provoke an actual war with the U.S. despite it calls for vengeance .
Iran `` will still try to avoid provoking an all-out war , but it will be challenging for them to retaliate in a way that allows them domestically to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some sort of military response , '' Aniseh Tabrizi , a Middle East research fellow and Iran expert at London 's Royal United Services Institute , told CNBC on Monday .
She noted that with an economy buckling under American sanctions and a military far less equipped than that of the U.S. , the country is not in the position economically or militarily to fight a conventional war .
The drone strike on Soleimani on Friday ( late Thursday ET ) was a blow to Iran — not just because the general was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his role in leading Iran 's regional expansion and resistance against the U.S. , but also because it now completely upends Iran 's calculations in terms of prospects for U.S. military confrontation , Tabrizi said .
Khamenei `` has to respond in a way which is pretty forceful or else they risk losing face , '' Karim Sadjadpour , a Carnegie Endowment senior fellow , told CNBC 's `` Squawk Box '' on Monday .
`` But with the erraticness of Trump , they have to be very careful how they respond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ayatollah 's approach as `` calibrated . ''
`` Iran 's responses could come across a spectrum of measures , whether that 's on the Middle East or on its nuclear program , or through covert direct actions like cyberattacks on U.S. territory , '' Geranmayeh said , highlighting the risk of attacks in third-country territory like Iraq and noting that Iran and the U.S. are practically neighbors in their theaters of operation in Syria , Iraq and Afghanistan .
Former CIA acting director John McLaughlin issued the same warning , writing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran will retaliate in some major way and probably turn loose its proxies such as the terrorist wing of Hezbollah and its militias in Iraq and Syria . ''
The last year has seen a series of escalations including attacks on commercial tankers and oil facilities in the Gulf widely blamed on Iran .
It also saw Washington 's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group , Iran 's seizures of foreign tankers and its shooting down of a U.S. drone amid mounting U.S. sanctions .
`` We 're dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven to be very capable at executing kinetic responses across the field , '' Geranmayeh said , citing the drone downing and the Sept. 14 attack on Saudi Aramco that instantly knocked out half of the Saudis ' oil production .
`` We 're not just dealing with a third-rate country that 's incapable of responding . ''
...
But WWIII hype is 'asinine ' and 'hyperbolic' Regional experts maintain that the Iranian state 's response is likely to remain somewhat measured and gradual , as war is in neither country 's interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hashtag `` WW3 '' was trending on Twitter on Friday and through the weekend , but is `` one of the most hyperbolic , stupid things I 've heard , '' according to Phillip Smyth , a Washington Institute expert on Shiite militarism .
`` This is n't World War 3 , '' he told CNBC .
`` That 's not how any of this works ... it 's asinine . ''
And Iran 's supreme leader did n't stay in power for the last 30 years by getting into impulsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Takeyh , an Iranian-American former U.S. diplomat now at the Council of Foreign Relations .
`` For all the fears already circulating that the United States just started World War 3 , Iran 's reaction is likely to be a calibrated one , '' Takeyh wrote in a Politico piece on Friday .
`` The Islamic Republic had already pledged to retreat further from its nuclear obligations by next week .
A move in that direction seems more likely at this point , as opposed to blowing up American diplomatic and military outposts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action from Iran was the announcement Sunday that it would suspend its compliance to 2015 Iranian nuclear deal .
But notably , Tehran maintained that it would keep working with the International Atomic Energy Agency 's inspectors , and left the door open for a return to full compliance if economic sanctions are lifted .
`` My guess is they will be very careful in calibrating whatever decisive move they make , '' former Defense Secretary William Cohen , who served under the Clinton administration , told CNBC .
`` The Iranians will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in terms of striking the U.S. , but I do n't think it will be a major strike because they 'd be inviting a much more overwhelming strike against them . ''
What about attacks in the US ?
DHS said in a bulletin Saturday that `` At this time we have no information indicating a specific , credible threat to the Homeland , '' but added that `` Iran and its partners , such as Hizballah , have demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct operations in the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe operations on the U.S. mainland outside of cyberattacks are highly unlikely , as Iran does n't want to draw attacks on its own mainland .
The regional proxy risk , however , remains very real especially since Tehran does n't always have control over those groups — like the Shiite militias in Iraq or the Houthi rebels in Yemen — and they have acted out on their own in the past .

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Weeping over the coffin of slain Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad, Iran's supreme leader vowed severe revenge on America, echoing the anger of more than a million mourners in the streets of Tehran. "Harsh revenge" awaited the "criminals" who killed Soleimani, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared. The U.S. assassination of Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds force, the foreign arm of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has prompted "13 revenge scenarios," Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary announced Tuesday. "Even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario, carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans," Ali Shamkhani said.
watch now
And the world appears to be taking it seriously: Markets fell on the news and money is moving into safe havens like gold in the face of potentially greater conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned of "homeland-based plots" against infrastructure targets including cyberattacks by Iranian proxies like Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. "The Trump administration has essentially thrown a hand grenade into already extremely tense region," Ellie Geranmayeh, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told CNBC. "This move has exposed every American boot on the ground to a possible retaliatory attack."
Thousands of mourners pay homage to assassinated Iranian Major General Soleimani in US Airstrike. The Pentagon announced that Iran's Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed on 03 January 2020 following a US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport. Mazyar Asadi | Pacific Press | LightRocket via Getty Images
Soleimani's killing followed the storming of the American Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias in the last week of December, reportedly at the Soleimani's direction. The violent demonstration was prompted by U.S. airstrikes that killed 25 of those militia members in retaliation for the group's launch of rockets that killed an American contractor on Dec. 28. Washington has called on all U.S. citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately, and it's sending 3,500 additional troops to the region.
Revenge versus war
But as speculation mounts over Iran's next moves, analysts say Tehran does not want to provoke an actual war with the U.S. despite it calls for vengeance. Iran "will still try to avoid provoking an all-out war, but it will be challenging for them to retaliate in a way that allows them domestically to save face without at the same time triggering some sort of military response," Aniseh Tabrizi, a Middle East research fellow and Iran expert at London's Royal United Services Institute, told CNBC on Monday. She noted that with an economy buckling under American sanctions and a military far less equipped than that of the U.S., the country is not in the position economically or militarily to fight a conventional war.
Demonstrators burn the U.S. and British flags during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who were killed in an air strike in Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran January 3, 2020. Nazanin Tabatabaee | Reuters
The drone strike on Soleimani on Friday (late Thursday ET) was a blow to Iran — not just because the general was revered across much of the country for his role in leading Iran's regional expansion and resistance against the U.S., but also because it now completely upends Iran's calculations in terms of prospects for U.S. military confrontation, Tabrizi said.
Potential proxy violence and cyberattacks
Khamenei "has to respond in a way which is pretty forceful or else they risk losing face," Karim Sadjadpour, a Carnegie Endowment senior fellow, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Monday. "But with the erraticness of Trump, they have to be very careful how they respond," he said, describing the supreme ayatollah's approach as "calibrated." "Iran's responses could come across a spectrum of measures, whether that's on the Middle East or on its nuclear program, or through covert direct actions like cyberattacks on U.S. territory," Geranmayeh said, highlighting the risk of attacks in third-country territory like Iraq and noting that Iran and the U.S. are practically neighbors in their theaters of operation in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Former CIA acting director John McLaughlin issued the same warning, writing in intelligence newsletter the Cipher Brief: "Iran will retaliate in some major way and probably turn loose its proxies such as the terrorist wing of Hezbollah and its militias in Iraq and Syria."
Iran will retaliate in some major way and probably turn loose its proxies such as the terrorist wing of Hezbollah and its militias in Iraq and Syria. John McLaughlin Former acting director, CIA
Iran's cyber capabilities have increased rapidly in recent years, and while the state has never been publicly tied to an attack on industrial control systems, cybersecurity professionals warn it is likely working to develop those capabilities. Iranian hackers have already carried out destructive digital attacks, paralyzing computer networks around the Middle East like Saudi Arabia's state oil giant Aramco in 2012 and hitting several U.S. targets, including banks, a dam and a major Vegas casino.
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The last year has seen a series of escalations including attacks on commercial tankers and oil facilities in the Gulf widely blamed on Iran. It also saw Washington's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, Iran's seizures of foreign tankers and its shooting down of a U.S. drone amid mounting U.S. sanctions. "We're dealing with an actor like Iran that has proven to be very capable at executing kinetic responses across the field," Geranmayeh said, citing the drone downing and the Sept. 14 attack on Saudi Aramco that instantly knocked out half of the Saudis' oil production. "We're not just dealing with a third-rate country that's incapable of responding."
...But WWIII hype is 'asinine' and 'hyperbolic'
Regional experts maintain that the Iranian state's response is likely to remain somewhat measured and gradual, as war is in neither country's interest and regime survival is paramount for Tehran. The hashtag "WW3" was trending on Twitter on Friday and through the weekend, but is "one of the most hyperbolic, stupid things I've heard," according to Phillip Smyth, a Washington Institute expert on Shiite militarism. "This isn't World War 3," he told CNBC. "That's not how any of this works ... it's asinine." And Iran's supreme leader didn't stay in power for the last 30 years by getting into impulsive wars with the U.S., noted Ray Takeyh, an Iranian-American former U.S. diplomat now at the Council of Foreign Relations.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei makes a speech regarding Trump's withdrawal decision from Iran nuclear deal during a press conference in Tehran, Iran on May 09, 2018. Iranian Leader's Press Office | Handout | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
"For all the fears already circulating that the United States just started World War 3, Iran's reaction is likely to be a calibrated one," Takeyh wrote in a Politico piece on Friday. "The Islamic Republic had already pledged to retreat further from its nuclear obligations by next week. A move in that direction seems more likely at this point, as opposed to blowing up American diplomatic and military outposts." Indeed, the most immediate action from Iran was the announcement Sunday that it would suspend its compliance to 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. But notably, Tehran maintained that it would keep working with the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspectors, and left the door open for a return to full compliance if economic sanctions are lifted. "My guess is they will be very careful in calibrating whatever decisive move they make," former Defense Secretary William Cohen, who served under the Clinton administration, told CNBC. "The Iranians will want to get their amount of blood back in terms of striking the U.S., but I don't think it will be a major strike because they'd be inviting a much more overwhelming strike against them."
What about attacks in the US?
DHS said in a bulletin Saturday that "At this time we have no information indicating a specific, credible threat to the Homeland," but added that "Iran and its partners, such as Hizballah, have demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct operations in the United States." But the experts surveyed by CNBC believe operations on the U.S. mainland outside of cyberattacks are highly unlikely, as Iran doesn't want to draw attacks on its own mainland. The regional proxy risk, however, remains very real especially since Tehran doesn't always have control over those groups — like the Shiite militias in Iraq or the Houthi rebels in Yemen — and they have acted out on their own in the past.
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cnbc--2020-01-08--Pentagon rejects Trump's pledge to strike Iranian cultural sites

The U.S. has no plans to target Iranian cultural sites in potential strikes , Pentagon chiefs told reporters , despite threats from President Donald Trump issued after Iran vowed retaliation for the U.S. killing of its top general , Qasem Soleimani .
Asked during a press gaggle if the U.S. military would follow Trump 's announced plan to target cultural sites in Iran , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley replied , `` We will follow the laws of armed conflict . ''
Asked if that meant `` no '' because targeting cultural sites constitutes a war crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` That 's the laws of armed conflict . ''
Trump on Sunday vowed to hit 52 targets in Iran `` very hard '' if the country retaliates for the assassinating Soleimani in drone strike in Baghdad on Friday ( late Thursday ET ) .
Soleimani was head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' external wing , the elite Quds Force and was considered the second-most powerful leader in Iran , credited with expanding Iran 's influence through proxy networks all over the Middle East .
The laws of armed conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governs relationships between states and is meant to regulate armed conflict .
Trump tweeted Sunday that Iran `` is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets '' in response to Soleimani 's death , and said that the U.S. had `` targeted 52 Iranian sites , '' some of which were `` at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture , and those targets , and Iran itself , WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD . ''
Trump did not specify what the sites were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was meant to represent the 52 American hostages held by the Islamic Republic for 444 days after the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 .
Michael Knights , a Gulf and security expert at the Washington Institute , wrote on Twitter on Sunday that `` there would not be 'cultural ' targets on any U.S. target list .
Such sites are on a 'no-strike list ' and/or a 'restricted target list ' including all UNESCO sites and many others , incl mosques , schools , etc . ''
Millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran and Iraq for three days of mourning led by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , who has vowed `` harsh revenge '' against the `` criminals '' who carried out the strike .
Iran 's Supreme National Security Council secretary on Tuesday announced `` 13 revenge scenarios , '' against the U.S. , warning that `` even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario , carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans . ''
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned Tuesday of potentially lethal responses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. homeland and proxy attacks in Middle Eastern countries where U.S. troops are operating .
Washington has called on all U.S. citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately , and is sending 3,500 additional troops to the region .
Soleimani 's killing follows U.S. airstrikes in Iraq last week that killed 25 members of Kataeb Hezbollah , an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group responsible for rocket attacks that killed a U.S. contractor and other U.S. allies in northern Iraq in late December .
The past week saw members of that militant group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad , many of whom chanted `` Qasem Soleimani is our leader . ''
The killing marks a dramatic escalation in the brewing standoff between Iran and the U.S. that 's been building since Washington withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018 and has intensified in the last year with attacks on commercial tankers and oil facilities widely blamed on Iran .
The last year also saw Washington 's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group , Iran 's shooting down of a U.S. drone , intensifying U.S. sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolling back of its commitments to the nuclear deal .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Army General Mark Milley looks on after a briefing from senior military leaders in the Cabinet Room at the White House on October 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The U.S. has no plans to target Iranian cultural sites in potential strikes, Pentagon chiefs told reporters, despite threats from President Donald Trump issued after Iran vowed retaliation for the U.S. killing of its top general, Qasem Soleimani. Asked during a press gaggle if the U.S. military would follow Trump's announced plan to target cultural sites in Iran, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley replied, "We will follow the laws of armed conflict." Asked if that meant "no" because targeting cultural sites constitutes a war crime under those laws, the general replied, "That's the laws of armed conflict."
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Trump on Sunday vowed to hit 52 targets in Iran "very hard" if the country retaliates for the assassinating Soleimani in drone strike in Baghdad on Friday (late Thursday ET). Soleimani was head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' external wing, the elite Quds Force and was considered the second-most powerful leader in Iran, credited with expanding Iran's influence through proxy networks all over the Middle East. The laws of armed conflict represent a branch of international law that governs relationships between states and is meant to regulate armed conflict. Trump tweeted Sunday that Iran "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" in response to Soleimani's death, and said that the U.S. had "targeted 52 Iranian sites," some of which were "at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD." Tweet1 Trump did not specify what the sites were, but said that the number chosen was meant to represent the 52 American hostages held by the Islamic Republic for 444 days after the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. Michael Knights, a Gulf and security expert at the Washington Institute, wrote on Twitter on Sunday that "there would not be 'cultural' targets on any U.S. target list. Such sites are on a 'no-strike list' and/or a 'restricted target list' including all UNESCO sites and many others, incl mosques, schools, etc." Tweet2
US raises alert as Iranian mourners vow revenge
Millions of people have poured into the streets of Iran and Iraq for three days of mourning led by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has vowed "harsh revenge" against the "criminals" who carried out the strike. Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary on Tuesday announced "13 revenge scenarios," against the U.S., warning that "even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario, carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans."
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cnbc--2020-01-08--Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she's 'cancer-free' after a flurry of health concerns

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she no longer has cancer , following a flurry of recent health scares .
`` I 'm cancer-free .
That 's good , '' she said in an interview late Tuesday with CNN .
Last year , Ginsburg underwent treatment for what likely was pancreatic cancer , according to a statement from the Supreme Court .
In late 2018 , she was treated for cancerous growths on her lungs .
The 86-year-old sat out of Supreme Court arguments in November due to a stomach bug .
The court , which hears another round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to take on several high-profile cases this year .
The Supreme Court will hear three cases over Trump 's financial records next year and scheduled arguments for its March session .
Also in March , the Supreme Court will take up its first major case relating to abortion with both of Trump 's appointees , Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , on the bench .
Read more : The battle over abortion rights : Here 's what 's at stake in 2020 Ginsburg is the oldest justice and is considered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wing , which is outnumbered by conservatives 5-4 .
She was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 .

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she no longer has cancer, following a flurry of recent health scares.
"I'm cancer-free. That's good," she said in an interview late Tuesday with CNN.
Last year, Ginsburg underwent treatment for what likely was pancreatic cancer, according to a statement from the Supreme Court. In late 2018, she was treated for cancerous growths on her lungs.
The 86-year-old sat out of Supreme Court arguments in November due to a stomach bug.
The court, which hears another round of oral arguments next week, is expected to take on several high-profile cases this year.
The Supreme Court will hear three cases over Trump's financial records next year and scheduled arguments for its March session.
Also in March, the Supreme Court will take up its first major case relating to abortion with both of Trump's appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, on the bench.
Read more: The battle over abortion rights: Here's what's at stake in 2020
Ginsburg is the oldest justice and is considered the leader of the Supreme Court's liberal wing, which is outnumbered by conservatives 5-4. She was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Pelosi says House will vote Thursday to limit Trump's power to take military action against Iran

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , conducts her weekly news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center on Thursday , December 19 , 2019 .
In a statement , the speaker said the Trump administration 's killing of Iran 's top general , Qasem Soleimani , `` endangered our servicemembers , diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran . ''
Pelosi added that some members of Congress have `` serious , urgent concerns '' about the president 's strategy , which the administration did not assuage with a Wednesday briefing or its `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress under the War Powers Act .
The announcement Wednesday comes only a day after Tehran launched missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. forces .
Earlier in the day , the president said that Iran `` appears to be standing down , '' adding that he would ratchet up `` punishing '' sanctions rather than take military action to retaliate .
The House will vote Thursday on a resolution to curb President Donald Trump 's power to take military action against Iran , Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
`` The Administration must work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , effective de-escalatory strategy that prevents further violence .
America and the world can not afford war , '' Pelosi said in announcing the vote on the war powers resolution , led by Rep. Elissa Slotkin , D-Mich .
The House could also consider two separate measures to repeal the 2002 authorization for the use of military force for the Iraq War and to bar funding for military action against Iran not approved by Congress , Pelosi said .
Reps. Barbara Lee , D-Calif. , and Ro Khanna , D-Calif. , respectively , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House plans to vote on Thursday resembles one introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va .
It says that , without further congressional approval , the president would have to stop military action against Iran within 30 days .
The measure could have a tough time passing the Republican-held Senate .
The GOP has broadly supported the Trump administration 's decision to kill Soleimani and warned limiting Trump 's powers could hamstring the U.S. military response at a critical time .
The resolution reflects an ongoing push by Democratic lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war .
Pelosi said Wednesday that the White House carried out the strike to kill Soleimani without consulting Congress .
Congressional Democrats have also expressed skepticism about the Trump administration 's assertion that Soleimani was planning an imminent attack on Americans , even after the Wednesday briefing .
On Tuesday , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said , `` We are not looking to start a war with Iran , but we are prepared to finish one . ''
After the administration briefed the Senate on Iran on Wednesday , Sens .
Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Ky. , said they would consider backing a war powers resolution .
Lee called it `` probably the worst briefing I 've seen , at least on a military issue , in the nine years I 've served in the United States Senate . ''
He criticized the administration for cutting off the briefing after 75 minutes and for apparently giving vague answers about the justification for military force against Iran .
`` They had to leave after 75 minutes while they were in the process of telling us that we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and run along and not debate this in public .
I find that absolutely insane , I think it 's unacceptable , '' Lee said .
Both Lee and Paul have bucked their party on issues of executive power to take military action .
The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request to comment .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., conducts her weekly news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center on Thursday, December 19, 2019.
In a statement, the speaker said the Trump administration's killing of Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani, "endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran." Pelosi added that some members of Congress have "serious, urgent concerns" about the president's strategy, which the administration did not assuage with a Wednesday briefing or its "insufficient" notification of the strike to Congress under the War Powers Act.
The announcement Wednesday came only a day after Tehran launched missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. forces. Earlier in the day, the president said that Iran "appears to be standing down," adding that he would ratchet up "punishing" sanctions rather than take military action to retaliate.
The House will vote Thursday on a resolution to curb President Donald Trump's power to take military action against Iran, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
"The Administration must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy that prevents further violence. America and the world cannot afford war," Pelosi said in announcing the vote on the war powers resolution, led by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.
In a tweet Thursday morning, Trump said he hopes "all House Republicans will vote against" the war powers resolution.
Donald Trump tweet
The House could also consider two separate measures to repeal the 2002 authorization for the use of military force for the Iraq War and to bar funding for military action against Iran not approved by Congress, Pelosi said. Reps. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., respectively, introduced those bills.
The resolution the House plans to vote on Thursday resembles one introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. It says that, without further congressional approval, the president would have to stop military action against Iran within 30 days.
The measure could have a tough time passing the Republican-held Senate. The GOP has broadly supported the Trump administration's decision to kill Soleimani and warned limiting Trump's powers could hamstring the U.S. military response at a critical time.
The resolution reflects an ongoing push by Democratic lawmakers to reassert Congress' power to declare war. Pelosi said Wednesday that the White House carried out the strike to kill Soleimani without consulting Congress.
Congressional Democrats have also expressed skepticism about the Trump administration's assertion that Soleimani was planning an imminent attack on Americans, even after the Wednesday briefing.
On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, "We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one."
After the administration briefed the Senate on Iran on Wednesday, Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., said they would consider backing a war powers resolution. Lee called it "probably the worst briefing I've seen, at least on a military issue, in the nine years I've served in the United States Senate."
He criticized the administration for cutting off the briefing after 75 minutes and for apparently giving vague answers about the justification for military force against Iran.
"They had to leave after 75 minutes while they were in the process of telling us that we need to be good little boys and girls and run along and not debate this in public. I find that absolutely insane, I think it's unacceptable," Lee said.
Both Lee and Paul have bucked their party on issues of executive power to take military action.
The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
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cnbc--2020-01-08--A timeline: How the US and Iran got to the edge of war — and then stepped back

President Donald Trump appeared to call for dialogue with Iran only a day after it blasted American targets in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ did not kill any American or Iraqi forces , follow the U.S. killing of the @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani , last week .
After Soleimani 's death , Tehran said it would back @ @ @ @ @ landmark 2015 deal to limit its development of nuclear weapons by blowing past limits on @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. would ratchet up economic sanctions on Iran as it tries to avoid armed @ @ @ @ @ The president first reimposed sanctions on Tehran after he withdrew from the nuclear deal in @ @ @ @ @ aimed to reduce the chances of nuclear conflict and normalize Iran 's relations with the @ @ @ @ @ follow decades of enmity between the U.S. and Iran .
The timeline below outlines some @ @ @ @ @ the U.S.-Iran relationship since the mid-20th century and how the nuclear deal fits into it @

President Donald Trump appeared to call for dialogue with Iran only a day after it blasted American targets in Iraq.
The strikes, which did not kill any American or Iraqi forces, follow the U.S. killing of the top Iran general, Qasem Soleimani, last week. After Soleimani's death, Tehran said it would back away from another key provision landmark 2015 deal to limit its development of nuclear weapons by blowing past limits on enriching uranium.
Trump said the U.S. would ratchet up economic sanctions on Iran as it tries to avoid armed conflict with the state. The president first reimposed sanctions on Tehran after he withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018. The international agreement aimed to reduce the chances of nuclear conflict and normalize Iran's relations with the world.
The latest tensions follow decades of enmity between the U.S. and Iran. The timeline below outlines some of the major events in the U.S.-Iran relationship since the mid-20th century and how the nuclear deal fits into it.
— Timeline summaries by Reuters, with CNBC edits.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Ex-Speaker John Boehner calls lying former congressman Chris Collins 'good man' as defense requests

Ex-Speaker John Boehner calls lying former congressman Chris Collins 'good man' as defense requests no jail time in insider-trading case

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio performs a mock swearing in for Rep. Chris Collins , R-N.Y. , Thursday , Jan. 3 , 2013 , on Capitol Hill in Washington as the 113th Congress began .
Former House Speaker John Boehner called disgraced former New York congressman Chris Collins a `` good man '' in a letter submitted by Collins ' lawyer as part of a bid to win him a no-jail sentence in his insider-trading criminal case .
Boehner was one of more than a dozen past and present Republican members of Congress to write letters supporting Collins that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday by a defense lawyer .
But federal probation officials recommended that Collins , 69 , should be sentenced to a year and a day in jail , along with a $ 200,000 fine , for his crimes of conspiring to commit securities fraud and lying to FBI agents .
That or the no-jail term requested by Collins ' attorney would be significantly less than the 45-to-57-month range suggested by federal guidelines .
The former Buffalo-area representative is due to be sentenced Jan. 17 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan .
Collins in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son Cameron in a phone call from the White House lawn about the results of an Australian biotech company 's failed drug trial before the test results became public .
After the test was revealed , the stock price of the firm — in which Collins was a leading investor and board member — tanked by more than 90 % .
Cameron Collins saved nearly $ 600,000 by dumping his stock in Innate Immunotherapeutics before the company disclosed the bad news in a press release .
Chris Collins himself did not trade Innate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The younger Collins is due to be sentenced Jan. 23 , and Stephen Zarsky , the father of Cameron 's fiancee , will be sentenced Jan. 24 in connection with his selling Innate stock after being tipped by Cameron to the bad test results .
Collins , who resigned his seat in Congress a day before pleading guilty , was the first congressman to endorse the candidacy of Donald Trump for the presidency .
Boehner 's letter does not ask the judge for leniency in Collins ' sentencing , but rather says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sharing my experience with Chris as a fellow American and friend . ''
Collins `` is a family man who has a passion for his country , his wife , his children and grandchildren , '' Boehner wrote .
`` Chris was my friend at times when he did n't have to be my friend , and I 'm sure he took some political heat for supporting me as Speaker at a time when supporting me was n't popular , '' Boehner wrote .
`` As human beings , we make mistakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to accept the consequences that come with our mistakes and our errors of judgment .
Chris , I believe , would be the first to agree with this , '' wrote the former speaker .
`` I know this experience has been mortifying for him , '' Boehner wrote .
`` I continue to believe he is a good man who loves his family and his country . ''
Collins ' lawyer Jonathan New cited Boehner 's comments in his court filing Tuesday , saying the ex-House speaker 's letter `` serves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] character and his impact on those he worked closely with . ''
New submitted more than 100 other letters , some of which asked Judge Vernon Broderick to offer leniency to Collins .
The letters include ones from Rep. Brian Babin of Texas , Rep. Peter King of New York and Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina .
`` Chris comes before the Court humbled , penitent and remorseful , '' wrote New , whose client for months after being arrested in August 2018 had falsely claimed he had done nothing wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being indicted .
`` He has paid a heavy price for his crimes , '' New wrote .
New also said that Collins is `` now too ashamed to spend significant time in the [ Buffalo-area ] community he loves . ''

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio performs a mock swearing in for Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington as the 113th Congress began.
Former House Speaker John Boehner called disgraced former New York congressman Chris Collins a "good man" in a letter submitted by Collins' lawyer as part of a bid to win him a no-jail sentence in his insider-trading criminal case.
Boehner was one of more than a dozen past and present Republican members of Congress to write letters supporting Collins that were included in the sentencing memorandum filed Tuesday by a defense lawyer.
But federal probation officials recommended that Collins, 69, should be sentenced to a year and a day in jail, along with a $200,000 fine, for his crimes of conspiring to commit securities fraud and lying to FBI agents.
That or the no-jail term requested by Collins' attorney would be significantly less than the 45-to-57-month range suggested by federal guidelines. The former Buffalo-area representative is due to be sentenced Jan. 17 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Collins in October pleaded guilty to tipping off his son Cameron in a phone call from the White House lawn about the results of an Australian biotech company's failed drug trial before the test results became public. After the test was revealed, the stock price of the firm — in which Collins was a leading investor and board member — tanked by more than 90%.
Cameron Collins saved nearly $600,000 by dumping his stock in Innate Immunotherapeutics before the company disclosed the bad news in a press release. Chris Collins himself did not trade Innate stock after learning about the test results.
The younger Collins is due to be sentenced Jan. 23, and Stephen Zarsky, the father of Cameron's fiancee, will be sentenced Jan. 24 in connection with his selling Innate stock after being tipped by Cameron to the bad test results.
Collins, who resigned his seat in Congress a day before pleading guilty, was the first congressman to endorse the candidacy of Donald Trump for the presidency.
Boehner's letter does not ask the judge for leniency in Collins' sentencing, but rather says it is submitted "simply in hopes of sharing my experience with Chris as a fellow American and friend."
Collins "is a family man who has a passion for his country, his wife, his children and grandchildren," Boehner wrote.
"Chris was my friend at times when he didn't have to be my friend, and I'm sure he took some political heat for supporting me as Speaker at a time when supporting me wasn't popular," Boehner wrote.
"As human beings, we make mistakes and errors of judgment, and we have to accept the consequences that come with our mistakes and our errors of judgment. Chris, I believe, would be the first to agree with this," wrote the former speaker.
"I know this experience has been mortifying for him," Boehner wrote. "I continue to believe he is a good man who loves his family and his country."
Collins' lawyer Jonathan New cited Boehner's comments in his court filing Tuesday, saying the ex-House speaker's letter "serves as a testament to [Collins'] character and his impact on those he worked closely with."
New submitted more than 100 other letters, some of which asked Judge Vernon Broderick to offer leniency to Collins.
The letters include ones from Rep. Brian Babin of Texas, Rep. Peter King of New York and Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina.
"Chris comes before the Court humbled, penitent and remorseful," wrote New, whose client for months after being arrested in August 2018 had falsely claimed he had done nothing wrong and who actually won re-election months after being indicted.
"He has paid a heavy price for his crimes," New wrote.
New also said that Collins is "now too ashamed to spend significant time in the [Buffalo-area] community he loves."


cnbc--2020-01-08--Harvey Weinstein asks rape case judge to withdraw because of 'inflammatory, biased and prejudicial'

Harvey Weinstein asks rape case judge to withdraw because of 'inflammatory, biased and prejudicial' comments about fallen movie mogul

Harvey Weinstein 's defense lawyers asked a New York City judge Wednesday to step aside from presiding over his rape case because of `` prejudicial and inflammatory '' comments about the fallen movie mogul , which they say suggest he has already decided that Weinstein is guilty before hearing any evidence .
The defense request for Judge James Burke 's recusal in the case — which came on the second day of jury selection also cited his scolding of Weinstein on Tuesday , when the judge threatened to jail Weinstein for use of a cellphone in the Manhattan Criminal Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life by texting and violating a court order ? ''
Burke asked Weinstein on Tuesday .
Weinstein 's lawyer Arthur Aidala in his letter to Burke , which was obtained by the news site Deadline.com , cited the judge 's comments to Weinstein , and other actions `` reflect the Court 's animum towards [ Weinstein ] and have created a situation in which the Court 's 'impartiality might reasonably be questioned , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rules of Judicial Conduct . ''
Those actions include Burke 's denial of a defense request to move the trial out of Manhattan to limit the effects of `` overwhelmingly negative pre-trial publicity and interest '' Weinstein 's case has received .
`` It has become clear to Mr. Weinstein that the Court has already violated its own mandate to the potential jurors by deciding that Mr. Weinstein is guilty before it has heard any of the trial evidence , '' Aidala wrote .
`` Accordingly , we seek the Court 's recusal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial to another judge . ''
Weinstein is accused of sex crimes against two women in Manhattan .
He has pleaded not guilty .
Los Angeles prosecutors on Monday filed an indictment against Weinstein accusing him of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another one in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013 .
Aidala cited Burke 's refusal to adjourn the New York case until negative media attention from the new Los Angeles case has died down in his letter asking the judge to step aside .
The defense lawyer also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's jury-selection consultant to sit with defense lawyers in court , and his denial of a request that defense lawyers be given more time than 15 minutes to question groups of 20 prospective jurors .
Weinstein has said that any sexual contact he had with women was consensual .
The exposure in 2017 of Weinstein 's alleged serial sexual misconduct involving what now is upwards of 100 women who have made allegations , among them actresses Roseanna Arquette , Uma Thurman , Selma Hayek , Gwenyth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett , sparked the @ @ @

Harvey Weinstein's defense lawyers asked a New York City judge Wednesday to step aside from presiding over his rape case because of "prejudicial and inflammatory" comments about the fallen movie mogul, which they say suggest he has already decided that Weinstein is guilty before hearing any evidence.
The defense request for Judge James Burke's recusal in the case — which came on the second day of jury selection also cited his scolding of Weinstein on Tuesday, when the judge threatened to jail Weinstein for use of a cellphone in the Manhattan Criminal Court courtroom in violation of Burke's directives.
"Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life by texting and violating a court order?" Burke asked Weinstein on Tuesday.
Tweet
Weinstein's lawyer Arthur Aidala in his letter to Burke, which was obtained by the news site Deadline.com, cited the judge's comments to Weinstein, and other actions "reflect the Court's animum towards [Weinstein] and have created a situation in which the Court's 'impartiality might reasonably be questioned,' in violation of New York State's Rules of Judicial Conduct."
Those actions include Burke's denial of a defense request to move the trial out of Manhattan to limit the effects of "overwhelmingly negative pre-trial publicity and interest" Weinstein's case has received.
"It has become clear to Mr. Weinstein that the Court has already violated its own mandate to the potential jurors by deciding that Mr. Weinstein is guilty before it has heard any of the trial evidence," Aidala wrote.
"Accordingly, we seek the Court's recusal from this matter and assignment of the trial to another judge."
Weinstein is accused of sex crimes against two women in Manhattan. He has pleaded not guilty.
Los Angeles prosecutors on Monday filed an indictment against Weinstein accusing him of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another one in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013.
Aidala cited Burke's refusal to adjourn the New York case until negative media attention from the new Los Angeles case has died down in his letter asking the judge to step aside.
The defense lawyer also noted Burke's refusal to allow Weinstein's jury-selection consultant to sit with defense lawyers in court, and his denial of a request that defense lawyers be given more time than 15 minutes to question groups of 20 prospective jurors.
Weinstein has said that any sexual contact he had with women was consensual.
The exposure in 2017 of Weinstein's alleged serial sexual misconduct involving what now is upwards of 100 women who have made allegations,among them actresses Roseanna Arquette, Uma Thurman, Selma Hayek, Gwenyth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett, sparked the MeToo movement.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Trump says US will hit Iran with 'punishing economic sanctions' after attacks on Iraqi bases

WASHINGTON — Less than a day after Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq , President Donald Trump on Wednesday stepped back from escalating a military confrontation with Iran .
`` As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression , the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime , '' Trump said in an address to the nation .
Sanctions , however punishing , would represent a marked de-escalation of the current tensions between the U.S. and Iran , which began Thursday when an American drone killed top Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extrajudicial killing of Soleimani , Iran on Tuesday fired 15 missiles at several Iraqi military bases housing U.S. and coalition forces involved in the fight against ISIS .
But instead of announcing a stepped-up military offensive , Trump used his prepared remarks on Wednesday to strike an uncharacteristically positive note .
`` I 'm pleased to inform you , the American people should be extremely grateful and happy , '' Trump said .
`` No Americans were harmed in last night 's attack by the Iranian regime .
We suffered no casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases .
Our great American forces are prepared for anything . ''
`` Iran appears to be standing down , which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world , '' Trump said .
`` No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken , the dispersal of forces and an early warning system that worked very well . ''
Tighter sanctions have become a hallmark of the Trump administration 's approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House calls a `` maximum pressure campaign . ''
The sanctions have succeeded in punishing Iran for a series of destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East .
But beyond punishment , it has not always been clear exactly what the United States hopes to achieve by increasing sanctions .
Last month , State Department officials said the pressure on Iran `` will intensify in 2020 , as the U.S. seeks to rein in Tehran 's pursuit of nuclear infrastructure and regional aggression . ''
`` There will be more sanctions to come , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to compound in 2020 , '' a senior State Department official said on a Dec. 30 call with reporters .
`` They are already deep into a recession , and we are also seeing Iran come under greater diplomatic isolation . ''
Another senior State Department official added that the Trump administration has sanctioned approximately 1,000 individuals and entities with links to Iran 's malign activities .
`` What we are doing is denying the regime the revenue that it needs to run an expansionist foreign policy , and by that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend today than it did almost three years ago when we came into office , '' said the official , who spoke on the condition of anonymity .
In December , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced another round of fresh sanctions , this time targeting Iran 's largest shipping company and biggest airline , saying the companies are aiding the regime 's alleged proliferation of weapons of mass destruction .
`` As long as its malign behaviors continue , so will our campaign of maximum pressure , '' Pompeo said during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department .
Trump 's post-attack response represents a stark departure from the fiery language and threats of destruction he issued to Iran during the first several days after the killing of Soleimani .
As recently as Tuesday afternoon , Trump told reporters at the White House that `` if Iran does anything that they should n't be doing , they 're going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly . ''
Trump also said the U.S. was `` totally prepared '' for Iran to retaliate and `` we 're prepared to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' There were no immediate reports of casualties , leading some analysts and government officials to suggest that Iran may have deliberately avoided killing American service members .
Both Trump and Iran 's foreign minister , Javad Zarif , insist their nations are not looking for war and that both the killing of Soleimani and the retaliatory strikes Tuesday were defensive maneuvers .
Late Tuesday , Zarif tweeted , `` We do not seek escalation or war , but will defend ourselves against any aggression . ''
For Trump , the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. service members or target U.S. bases were significant factors in his decision about how to respond .
`` My gut was that [ Iran ] are not trying to escalate , they are not trying to kill Americans , they are trying to have their show of force , '' Thomas Karako , director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , told CNBC .
`` What they were trying to do is have a bunch of missiles fly , pound their chests a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing Americans .
To do that , though , you want to use a tool that will best guarantee that result and from initial appearances , they seem to have used some of their precision-guided missiles , '' Karako added .
Next steps for the US and Iran Trump in his address on Wednesday argued that Iran and the U.S. should pursue a new joint nuclear agreement and that the six other signatories to the existing 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal — China , Russia , the U.K. , France , Germany and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal — or JCPOA — and we must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place , '' Trump said .
But there is little appetite in European capitals , or in Tehran , for negotiating a new nuclear deal with Trump , who is widely blamed for knee-capping the current nuclear agreement by withdrawing the U.S. from it in 2018 .
Trump also said Wednesday that he planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more involved in the Middle East process . ''
It was n't clear exactly what he meant by this .
NATO has maintained a coalition force in Iraq as part of the fight against ISIS .
Trump 's mention of NATO was particularly unexpected given that he has spent much of the past three years vocally criticizing the NATO alliance and its individual member states , accusing them of not spending enough of their domestic budgets on defense .
Shortly after Trump 's speech , White House spokesman Judd Deere said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg .
`` The two leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East .
The President emphasized the value of NATO increasing its role in preventing conflict and preserving peace in the Middle East , '' Deere said .

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WASHINGTON — Less than a day after Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq, President Donald Trump on Wednesday stepped back from escalating a military confrontation with Iran. "As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime," Trump said in an address to the nation. Sanctions, however punishing, would represent a marked de-escalation of the current tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which began Thursday when an American drone killed top Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. In response to the extrajudicial killing of Soleimani, Iran on Tuesday fired 15 missiles at several Iraqi military bases housing U.S. and coalition forces involved in the fight against ISIS. But instead of announcing a stepped-up military offensive, Trump used his prepared remarks on Wednesday to strike an uncharacteristically positive note. "I'm pleased to inform you, the American people should be extremely grateful and happy," Trump said. "No Americans were harmed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything." "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world," Trump said. "No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken, the dispersal of forces and an early warning system that worked very well."
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing U.S. troops, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence and others looks on. Evan Vucci | AP
Trump defended the controversial U.S. decision to kill Soleimani while the general was visiting Iraq, calling him a "terrorist." But the president stopped far short of threatening further military action. Trump said the "powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior."
A centerpiece of Trump's Iran strategy
Tighter sanctions have become a hallmark of the Trump administration's approach to Iran, part of what the White House calls a "maximum pressure campaign." The sanctions have succeeded in punishing Iran for a series of destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East. But beyond punishment, it has not always been clear exactly what the United States hopes to achieve by increasing sanctions. Last month, State Department officials said the pressure on Iran "will intensify in 2020, as the U.S. seeks to rein in Tehran's pursuit of nuclear infrastructure and regional aggression." "There will be more sanctions to come, and Iran's economic problems and challenges are going to compound in 2020," a senior State Department official said on a Dec. 30 call with reporters. "They are already deep into a recession, and we are also seeing Iran come under greater diplomatic isolation." Another senior State Department official added that the Trump administration has sanctioned approximately 1,000 individuals and entities with links to Iran's malign activities. "What we are doing is denying the regime the revenue that it needs to run an expansionist foreign policy, and by that policy, Iran has less money to spend today than it did almost three years ago when we came into office," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In December, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced another round of fresh sanctions, this time targeting Iran's largest shipping company and biggest airline, saying the companies are aiding the regime's alleged proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. "As long as its malign behaviors continue, so will our campaign of maximum pressure," Pompeo said during a Dec. 11 press conference at the State Department.
A shift away from recent rhetoric
Trump's post-attack response represents a stark departure from the fiery language and threats of destruction he issued to Iran during the first several days after the killing of Soleimani. As recently as Tuesday afternoon, Trump told reporters at the White House that "if Iran does anything that they shouldn't be doing, they're going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly." Trump also said the U.S. was "totally prepared" for Iran to retaliate and "we're prepared to attack if we have to as retribution." There were no immediate reports of casualties, leading some analysts and government officials to suggest that Iran may have deliberately avoided killing American service members. Both Trump and Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, insist their nations are not looking for war and that both the killing of Soleimani and the retaliatory strikes Tuesday were defensive maneuvers. Late Tuesday, Zarif tweeted, "We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression." For Trump, the fact that Tuesday's missile attacks did not kill U.S. service members or target U.S. bases were significant factors in his decision about how to respond. "My gut was that [Iran] are not trying to escalate, they are not trying to kill Americans, they are trying to have their show of force," Thomas Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNBC. "What they were trying to do is have a bunch of missiles fly, pound their chests a little bit and have a show of force without killing Americans. To do that, though, you want to use a tool that will best guarantee that result and from initial appearances, they seem to have used some of their precision-guided missiles," Karako added.
Next steps for the US and Iran
Trump in his address on Wednesday argued that Iran and the U.S. should pursue a new joint nuclear agreement and that the six other signatories to the existing 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal — China, Russia, the U.K., France, Germany and the European Union — should abandon it. "They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal — or JCPOA — and we must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place," Trump said. But there is little appetite in European capitals, or in Tehran, for negotiating a new nuclear deal with Trump, who is widely blamed for knee-capping the current nuclear agreement by withdrawing the U.S. from it in 2018. Trump also said Wednesday that he planned to ask NATO member countries "to become much more involved in the Middle East process." It wasn't clear exactly what he meant by this. NATO has maintained a coalition force in Iraq as part of the fight against ISIS. Trump's mention of NATO was particularly unexpected given that he has spent much of the past three years vocally criticizing the NATO alliance and its individual member states, accusing them of not spending enough of their domestic budgets on defense. Shortly after Trump's speech, White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president spoke by phone Wednesday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "The two leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East. The President emphasized the value of NATO increasing its role in preventing conflict and preserving peace in the Middle East," Deere said.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Trump says Iran 'appears to be standing down' after missile attacks on US targets in Iraq

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran `` appears to be standing down '' after it fired a barrage of missiles at American targets in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani .
But the U.S. is continuing to look at its options , and will `` immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime , '' Trump said .
He also warned Tehran repeatedly to abandon its nuclear ambitions , vowing : `` As long as I am president of the United States , Iran will never be allowed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested that the U.S. is open to negotiations with Tehran .
`` We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place , '' Trump said .
He urged other world powers to break away from the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and work out a new deal .
The president , speaking from the grand foyer of the White House , said no Americans were harmed in Iran 's overnight attacks on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. forces .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill Soleimani , saying the general 's `` hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood . ''
Hours later at the Pentagon , the U.S. military 's top general told reporters that Iran fired the missiles with the intent `` to kill personnel . ''
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley praised early warning systems , which detected the incoming ballistic missiles well in advance , giving U.S. and coalition forces adequate time to take shelter at both bases .
He described the damage to tents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among other things , as `` nothing major . ''
`` He should have been terminated long ago , '' Trump said .
Trump was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the top officers of the nation 's military branches .
He spoke for about 10 minutes and took no questions .
Iran launched at least a dozen missiles from its territory Tuesday evening at two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. military and coalition forces .
The Iranian Revolutionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of their `` fierce revenge '' against the U.S. Late last week , a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed Soleimani , whom the Trump administration claims had planned attacks that were `` days '' away from execution .
In a speech following the missile attacks , Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the barrage a `` slap on the face '' to the U.S. `` Such military actions are not enough , '' Khamenei tweeted .
But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif took a different tone , tweeting that his country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the killing of Soleimani while adding that `` We do not seek escalation or war , but will defend ourselves against any aggression . ''
After the attacks Tuesday night , Trump did not make a formal address — but said in a tweet that `` all is well ! ''
`` Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now .
So far , so good !
We have the most powerful and well equipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far !
I will be making a statement tomorrow morning . ''
Hours before the Iranian missile attacks , Esper said the U.S. was not seeking war with Iran .
`` We are not looking to start a war with Iran , but we are prepared to finish one , '' Esper said , adding that Washington wants to see the situation de-escalate .
Earlier Tuesday , Pompeo said the U.S. `` got it right '' by killing Soleimani .
`` It was the right decision , '' Pompeo said at the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did excellent work .
And the president had an entirely legal , appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly . ''
'This did n't start with the death of Soleimani' Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike at an airport in Baghdad on Friday , Iraq time .
Soleimani , who led a special forces unit of Iran 's elite Revolutionary Guards , had been a key figure of Iranian and Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions between Iran and the United States .
`` There 's still a lot of questions about the attacks last night , but the fact that there appear to be no casualties and that Iran provided defining language around the strike by warning the U.S. to not respond , and the fact that Trump took the night to access what was going on , gives the possibility that there is an off ramp , '' said Michelle Dover , director of programs at Ploughshares Fund .
`` This did n't start with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuke deal and reimposing sanctions .
The maximum pressure campaign is what has really led to this escalation . ''
Tensions between Tehran and Washington mounted following Trump 's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration .
The 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions that crippled Iran 's economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half .
In exchange for sanctions relief , Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abide by any limits established in the nuclear deal on the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges .
That means Iran would have no limit on its enrichment capacity , the level to which uranium could be enriched , or on its nuclear research and development .
Iranian state-run broadcast said Tehran 's steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions .
Last May , Iran stopped complying with some commitments in the nuclear deal after Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the agreement .
Trump also reintroduced sanctions on Tehran that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear deal .
The last year was marked by increased geopolitical turbulence including multiple attacks on tankers and oil infrastructure blamed on Tehran , the Iranian downing of a U.S. drone , Iran 's suspected attack that briefly cut Saudi Arabian oil production in half , and increasingly heavy U.S. sanctions laid down on the Islamic Republic .

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran "appears to be standing down" after it fired a barrage of missiles at American targets in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani. But the U.S. is continuing to look at its options, and will "immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime," Trump said. He also warned Tehran repeatedly to abandon its nuclear ambitions, vowing: "As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon." But he suggested that the U.S. is open to negotiations with Tehran. "We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place," Trump said. He urged other world powers to break away from the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and work out a new deal. The president, speaking from the grand foyer of the White House, said no Americans were harmed in Iran's overnight attacks on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. forces. Trump defended his administration's decision last week to kill Soleimani, saying the general's "hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood." Hours later at the Pentagon, the U.S. military's top general told reporters that Iran fired the missiles with the intent "to kill personnel." Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley praised early warning systems, which detected the incoming ballistic missiles well in advance, giving U.S. and coalition forces adequate time to take shelter at both bases. He described the damage to tents, parking lots and a helicopter, among other things, as "nothing major."
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"He should have been terminated long ago," Trump said. Trump was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the top officers of the nation's military branches. He spoke for about 10 minutes and took no questions. Iran launched at least a dozen missiles from its territory Tuesday evening at two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. military and coalition forces. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps described the attacks as the beginning of their "fierce revenge" against the U.S. Late last week, a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed Soleimani, whom the Trump administration claims had planned attacks that were "days" away from execution. In a speech following the missile attacks, Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the barrage a "slap on the face" to the U.S. "Such military actions are not enough," Khamenei tweeted. Khamenei TWEET But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif took a different tone, tweeting that his country "took and concluded proportionate measures" against the killing of Soleimani while adding that "We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression." Zarif TWEET After the attacks Tuesday night, Trump did not make a formal address — but said in a tweet that "all is well!" "Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq," Trump tweeted. "Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning." Hours before the Iranian missile attacks, Esper said the U.S. was not seeking war with Iran. "We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one," Esper said, adding that Washington wants to see the situation de-escalate. Earlier Tuesday, Pompeo said the U.S. "got it right" by killing Soleimani. "It was the right decision," Pompeo said at the State Department. "The Department of Defense did excellent work. And the president had an entirely legal, appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly."
'This didn't start with the death of Soleimani'
Iranian mourners gather during the final stage of funeral processions for slain top general Qasem Soleimani, in his hometown Kerman on January 7, 2020. Atta Kenare | AFP | Getty Images
Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike at an airport in Baghdad on Friday, Iraq time. Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, had been a key figure of Iranian and Middle East politics. His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the United States. "There's still a lot of questions about the attacks last night, but the fact that there appear to be no casualties and that Iran provided defining language around the strike by warning the U.S. to not respond, and the fact that Trump took the night to access what was going on, gives the possibility that there is an off ramp," said Michelle Dover, director of programs at Ploughshares Fund. "This didn't start with the death of Soleimani, this really started with Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuke deal and reimposing sanctions. The maximum pressure campaign is what has really led to this escalation." Tensions between Tehran and Washington mounted following Trump's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration. The 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions that crippled Iran's economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities. On Sunday, Iran announced it would not abide by any limits established in the nuclear deal on the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges. That means Iran would have no limit on its enrichment capacity, the level to which uranium could be enriched, or on its nuclear research and development. Iranian state-run broadcast said Tehran's steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions. Last May, Iran stopped complying with some commitments in the nuclear deal after Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the agreement. Trump also reintroduced sanctions on Tehran that had been previously lifted in accordance with the nuclear deal. The last year was marked by increased geopolitical turbulence including multiple attacks on tankers and oil infrastructure blamed on Tehran, the Iranian downing of a U.S. drone, Iran's suspected attack that briefly cut Saudi Arabian oil production in half, and increasingly heavy U.S. sanctions laid down on the Islamic Republic.
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