US Ready for Negotiations with Iraq on American Military Presence

Iraqi demonstrators block roads with burning tires during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq January 23, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani
Iraqi demonstrators block roads with burning tires during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq January 23, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani
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US Ready for Negotiations with Iraq on American Military Presence

Iraqi demonstrators block roads with burning tires during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq January 23, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani
Iraqi demonstrators block roads with burning tires during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq January 23, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

The United States is prepared to enter into talks with Iraq on the removal of US troops from the country, as demanded by the Iraqi parliament, Ambassador James Jeffrey, the US special envoy for Syria and the coalition against ISIS, said Thursday.

"Our position, as you know –- we've said it several times -- is that we're prepared to discuss with the Iraqi government our overall strategic relationship," Jeffrey told reporters in Washington.

"We have not seen an uptick in violence in Iraq” by ISIS in this period, he said at the State Department.

Jeffrey said US-led coalition operations have been on pause in Iraq as the focus has been on force protection and talks with the Baghdad government on the way forward after Iraq's parliament voted to expel foreign troops.

The lawmakers were furious at the Jan. 3 drone strike on Iraqi soil that killed Iran’s Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

The Pentagon is likely deploying a missile-defense system to Iraq in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on the Iraqi base of Ain al-Asad housing American troops to avenge Soleimani’s death, US defense officials tell Fox News.

The move comes after US troops were sent to a medical facility in Germany after complaining of head injuries following the Iranian missile attack.

Fox News previously reported that the US military didn’t shoot down any of Iran’s ballistic missiles because there was no missile defense system in position.

A senior Pentagon official told Fox News that they believed an Iranian missile attack was “unlikely.” US officials say a Patriot air defense system will now likely be deployed.



UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.