Killing of American contractor crossed line for Trump, source says

While in the past, the source acknowledged that the President “has been reluctant to take military action,” in this case, the killing of an American contractor, the wounding of others, and the subsequent protests at the US embassy in Baghdad “crossed his line.” His advisers also pointed out to the President that if he “didn’t respond now, they (Iran) will continue to cross it.”

Trump drew a significant red line in a three-part tweet on Saturday, vowing specific military action against Iran if it “strikes any Americans, or American assets.”

When asked about whether there was intelligence that attacks were imminent, the source said that top administration officials confirmed that there was “no doubt (Soleimani) was there to plan attacks against the US.”

As to the timing of the attack and whether it was politically motivated, the source said, “If an American hadn’t died, I don’t think any of this would have happened.”

“The intelligence may be no different of (Soleimani) planning” attacks as he had in the past, but this was different because an American had been killed. The decision to strike was related to escalating encounters beginning with the death of the US contractor and then the embassy protests.

The source noted Soleimani was traveling with impunity, which he hadn’t always done but shows how safe he felt. Intelligence on his whereabouts and planning may therefore have been easier to get than in the past, the source said.

Suggesting that this move could deter future Iranian operations, the source said Iran can “conduct terror operations but they have to have a lot of doubt whether those terror operations are worth a tomahawk missile coming in through the window,” referring to the potential for American missile strikes.