City
Epaper

Iran row: US denies evacution of personnel from Iraq

By IANS | Updated: June 22, 2019 20:00 IST

The US Air Force denied on Saturday that it was evacuating contractors or personnel Lockheed Martin and Sallyport Global personnel as per the reports from a base in Iraq amid tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Open in App

In a statement, the US Central Command categorically termed it "false". "The Balad Air Base operations continue as normal. There are no plans, at this time, to evacuate any personnel from Balad," it said.

Air Force Colonel Kevin Walker rejected the prospect of an evacuation of people from Balad Air Base in central Iraq, Efe news reported. "Should there be increased threats to our people, the US Air Force will put measures in place to provide the protections required," he said.

Tensions soared in the Persian Gulf region after Tehran downed an American drone and US President Donald Trump announced he had aborted an air strike against Iran, minutes before the attack.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry had a meeting on Friday with Swiss ambassador Markus Leitner, representing the US interests in Tehran. At the meeting, Mohsen Baharvand, Director General of Foreign Affairs for America, filed an official complaint about the intrusion of the US drone into Iranian airspace on Thursday.

The US claims the aircraft did not violate Iranian airspace and it was shot down in international waters. Since the end of April the US has suspended exemptions on the purchase of Iranian oil and imposed new sanctions on Tehran.

A number of incidents, such as sabotage and alleged attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, have taken place in the region.

In mid-May, the US ordered withdrawal of non-essential diplomatic personnel in Iraq, amid what it considered "indications" of activity by Iran. In September, the US decided to close consulate in Basra, after protests and gunfire in the vicinity of the building.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: iranBalad Air BaseAir ForceUs Air Forcetehran
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIran Terrorist Attack Video: At Least 8 Killed, 13 Injured in Zahedan Firing; Pakistani Group Claims Responsibility

PunePune: Poster of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Seen in Loni Station Area (Watch Video)

InternationalIrani Boy Goes in Coma After Man Brutally Slammed Him on Floor at Moscow Airport; CCTV Footage Shocks Internet

MumbaiMumbai: Young Men Lured with Fake Jobs in Dubai, Trafficked to Iran and Forced into Labour; Amboli Police Register FIR

InternationalIsrael-Iran Ceasefire: Dangerous Leaving Wounded Lion, Says Israeli Opposition Leader Avigdor Lieberman

International Realted Stories

InternationalCanada PM speaks to Zelensky ahead of Trump-Putin summit

International"We must now find a way to force Netanyahu to think clearly," says Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto

InternationalIndia, Sri Lanka coast guards hold 8th high-level meeting to strengthen maritime cooperation

InternationalTrump says no tariffs on gold imports, extends China tariff deadline

InternationalUS designates Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade as terror organisations