US-led forces deny conducting fresh attack on pro-Iran convoy in Iraq

As tensions between United States and Iran escalated after American troops killed Iran's top commander, Iranian state media reported that new airstrike by US hit pro-Iran fighters in Iraq on January 4. However, latest bombardment has been denied by US forces. Amidst growing fears of a proxy war erupting between Washington and Tehran, 'new strike' came just hours before a planned mourning march for Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary heavyweight Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who were killed in a drone strike directed by US President Donald Trump.

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assassination has been deemed as most dramatic move in spiralling tensions between Iran and US which has reportedly pledged to end more troops to region even as Trump has repeatedly insisted that he did t want war. However, almost exactly 24 hours later, a new strike has targetted a convoy which belonged to Hashed al-Shaabi, an Iraqi paramilitary network whose Shiite-majority factions are close allies to Iran. Even though group statement did t mention who was responsible for attack, Iraqi state television reported it was an American airstrike. 

re were immediate comments by US before OIR Spokesperson clarified that it was t US which attacked pro-Iran convoy but a police source told an international ncy that bomb blast in rth of Baghd left 'de and wounded' without mentioning a definite toll. 

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Iran warns US of 'repercussions'

Citing a Revolutionary Guard statement, Iranian state television said Soleimani was 'martyred' in an attack by US helicopters near airport, without elaborating. Soon after, visor to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that US must wait for 'repercussions' for crossing 'red line.' strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq kwn as Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, officials said. On January 3, Iran's Supreme Leer Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani and threatened US saying 'a harsh retaliation is waiting'. In strong condemnation, Iran's Foreign Minister Jav Zarif called act, orchestrated by Trump, as 'international terrorism' and 'foolish escalation.'

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(With ncy inputs)