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<\/p>\nMany noted that scenes from the US yesterday evening resembled those more commonly seen in the Middle East. Scores of President Trump’s supporters breached the Capitol building in a bid to thwart President-elect Joe Biden being certified as the next US President. It is one in a string of events that his critics say prove Mr Trump is unwilling to leave office, despite his assurances that he will do so peacefully.<\/p>\n
In his waning days, many have noted that “anything could happen” with the US’ relations with overseas powers.<\/p>\n
Last year, the US killed Iran’s most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, in an air strike at Baghdad’s airport, Iraq.<\/p>\n
It marked a dramatic escalation in what was dubbed the regional “shadow war” between Iran and the US and its allies, namely Israel and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump followed the attack with his promise to pursue “maximum pressure”, threatening to attack Iran’s oil fields if it retaliated.<\/p>\n
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At the time, former Iranian diplomat Amir Musawi claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had already given his military commanders specific orders to strike back at the US.<\/p>\n
He also revealed a list of top US military, intelligence and political leaders Iran had on its radar.<\/p>\n
In the following weeks, the US reported that intelligence services had detected Iranian missiles on “full alert”, suggesting the Islamic Republic was ready to attack.<\/p>\n
Nothing ever came of the rumours, though tensions have remained since.<\/p>\n
JUST IN<\/strong>: Donald Trump Twitter: When will Trump be allowed back on Twitter?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Even as Mr Trump readies to exit the White House, reports suggest the President continues to gauge whether a strike on Iran would be permissible.<\/p>\n In November, after his election defeat, it emerged that Mr Trump had asked his advisors about “options” for attacking Iran’s main nuclear site.<\/p>\n Today, it was suggested that the President might declare war on Iran, as a former counterterrorism and Covid task force adviser to Mike Pence described Mr Trump as “unpredictable”.<\/p>\n Olivia Troye told the BBC’s Today Programme that she feared Mr Trump could start a war during the final days of his presidency.<\/p>\n DON’T MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n Biden’s remarks on ‘EU state’ offer UK worrying insight [REPORT]<\/span> She said he and his inner circle want to leave Mr Biden “holding the bag” when he takes office.<\/p>\n Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP, reiterated those fears, and told Express.co.uk that things could get much worse.<\/p>\n He said: “The fact that he is failing to share information – as he is duty-bound to do – suggests he has something up his sleeve and he is going to go out with a bang.<\/p>\n “Whether that’s connected with some formal intervention in Iran, or something else, that’s difficult to know.<\/p>\n “But there is enough nervousness in Washington that former defence secretaries on both sides of the aisle have collectively called it out.<\/p>\n “The military should not be used in any manner – whether that’s domestically to stop Trump from leaving the building, or pursuing a last-ditch foreign policy which could be problematic for the incoming administration.”<\/p>\n This week, Tehran began enriching uranium up to 20 percent and seized a South Korean tanker in Gulf waters this week.<\/p>\n Many claim that both moves are intended to persuade Mr Biden to rejoin the 2018 Nuclear Deal which Mr Trump quickly withdrew from.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in a video posted to social media, Mr Trump failed to denounce the riots.<\/p>\n He instead said he “loved” the protestors, and that the election was a “landslide” in his favour, but told his supporters to “go home”.<\/p>\n Mr Trump has since accepted Congress’ decision to certify Mr Biden as the next President, and has promised an orderly transition.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Qasem-Soleimani-Thousands-surged-onto-the-streets-for-Soleimani-s-funeral-last-year-2839945.jpg?r=1610035100417\")
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Donald Trump impeachment odds: Could the US President be impeached?<\/span> [ANALYSIS] <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Iran-latest-Many-were-outraged-with-the-assassination-and-pledged-revenge-against-the-US-2839970.jpg?r=1610035100556\")
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