Donald Trump reverses on targeting Iran’s 'cultural sites'

US Secretary of Defence said he expected Tehran to retaliate after killing of Qassem Suleimani

Donald Trump on Tuesday did not rule out withdrawal from Iraq in the long-term but said this isn't the right time. Tasos Katopodis/UPI/Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump has retreated from a threat to target more than 50 of Iran’s cultural sites if Tehran retaliated after the killing of its top general Qassem Suleimani.

If the US was to carry out such an act, it would be considered a war crime under international law.

Iran said it would retaliate after Suleimani was killed on Friday at Baghdad airport in a US drone strike.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Mr Trump adjusted his language after receiving widespread backlash over his threat to obliterate the cultural sites.

“We are, according to various laws, supposed to be very careful with their cultural heritage. And you know what, if that's what the law is, I like to obey the law,” he said.

In a tweet on Saturday, Mr Trump threatened to target 52 Iranian sites that were important to Iran and its culture.

He added to his comments on Sunday, considering the potential act a fair game for the US in an event of a military confrontation.

“They [Iran’s government] are allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They are allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural sites? It doesn’t work that way,” he said.

His change of position comes following a public backlash and pushback from both the US State and Defence departments against such a move.

Mr Trump staunchly defended the strike he ordered against Suleimani.

“He was travelling with the head of [Iraqi militia Kataib] Hezbollah. They weren't there to discuss a vacation,” Mr Trump said.

He also hinted at releasing classified information on what his government considered an “imminent plot” by Suleimani.  “They were planning something and you're going to be hearing about it or at least various people in Congress are going to be hearing about it tomorrow," Mr Trump said.

He did not rule out withdrawing US forces from Iraq in the long-term but said now wasn't the right time.

"At some point we want to get out. But this isn't the right point. The other thing is, if we do get out, we've spent a tremendous amount of money on building airports and building one of the largest embassies we have in the world. And we want to be reimbursed to the various costs that we have had," he said.

Rockets launched from Iran against the US military base in Ein-al Asad in Iraq. EPA / IRIB HANDOUT

Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin Qassem Suleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin of Qassem Suleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

An Iranian mourner burns incense during the final stage of funeral processions for slain top general Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

An Iranian mourner holds a placard during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets of Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom following a ceremony in the capital Tehran. AFP

Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets of slain military commander Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom. AFP

Newly appointed commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Gen Esmail Qaani, weeps while praying over the coffin of the force's previous head Qassem Suleimani at the Tehran University Campus in Tehran. AP

A view of the crowds at the Azadi Square during the funeral of top Iranian general Suleimani in Tehran. Reuters

Iranian mourners taking part in a funeral procession in Tehran for Qassem Suleimani. AFP

Crowds at the Enqelab Square during the funeral of top Iranian general Suleimani in Tehran. Reuters

Member of the Iranian American community of Washington DC area rally outside the State Department in Washington in solidarity with the people of Iran, Syria and Iraq who celebrate the death of Iranian official, Gen Qassem Suleimani. AP Photo

A girl holds a sign reading “Trump is a murderer” during a condolence ceremony for Qassem Suleimani outside the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters

A man kisses a picture of Qassem Suleimani outside the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters

Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom. AFP

Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force walk above a portrait of US President Donald Trump as they hold a condolences meeting following the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis in Karrada in central Baghdad. AFP

Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force chant anti-US slogans during a protest over the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis in Karrada in central Baghdad. AFP

Supporters of the Houthis rally to denounce the US killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, in Sanaa, Yemen. Reuters

Mr Trump’s comments came as US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper said he fully expected Tehran to retaliate for the strike.

"I think we should expect they will retaliate in some way, shape or form," the Pentagon chief said on Tuesday.

The US justified the attack by citing intelligence that Suleimani was planning “an imminent attack” on US forces.

Mr Esper said it was "more than fair to say" the attack Suleimani was allegedly planning to execute would have been carried out in days rather than weeks.

Mr Esper said Washington was seeking diplomatic solution with Iran but that Tehran needed to de-escalate.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Mr Esper said the US was not prepared to start a war with Iran, but "was prepared to finish one".

He reaffirmed the US was not planning to withdraw troops from Iraq, despite the country’s parliament having voting to expel foreign forces on Sunday.

Mr Esper pointed to the defensive nature of the strike on Suleimani and denied claims the intelligence behind it was “razor thin”, insisting it was “persuasive”.

Asked about the letter sent on Monday from a US commander to his Iraqi counterpart to plan the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Mr Esper repeated that the US did not plan to withdraw its forces from the country.

He denied there was a signed letter from the US announcing an exit.

"Our policy has not changed. We are not leaving Iraq," Mr Esper said.

"There is no signed letter, to the best of my knowledge."

Earlier on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said he received signed copies of a US letter describing steps to "move out" of the country.

At a briefing at the State Department on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined to give direct evidence of imminent threats from Iran or Iranian proxies in the region. However, he defended the decision to kill Suleimani, saying it was “entirely legal”.