Valley residents react to U.S., Iran tensions
By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO
ebennett@yourmvi.com
As tensions continue to mount between the U.S. and Iran, residents in the Mon Valley have different ideas about the future of the relationship between the two countries, but many share one sentiment: support the president.
Last week, U.S. forces took action to execute an airstrike that killed Major General Qassem Soleimani. In retaliation Tuesday night, Iran initiated ballistic missile strikes to target two Iraqi military bases that also served as a home to U.S. forces.
The Pentagon reported more than a dozen ballistic missiles targeted the bases.
While no American casualties have been reported as a result of the strike, Iranian officials have made claims to have killed dozens. Iraqi officials also reported none of their troops were injured or killed.
A White House Defense official said Wednesday that the U.S. had warning of the attack “multiple hours” before it took place, which gave troops plenty of time to take shelter. The warning came from both satellites and by intercepting communications.
Speaking from the White House Wednesday, President Donald Trump seemed intent on deescalating the crisis, which spiraled after he authorized the targeted killing last week. Iran’s overnight response was its most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, firing more than a dozen missiles at two installations in Iraq.
The Pentagon said Wednesday that it believed Iran fired with the intent to kill.
Even so, Trump’s takeaway was that “Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”
While the situation remains unpredictable, several Mon Valley residents weighed in on the situation Wednesday.
Gabriel Taylor of Elizabeth said he felt the decision on the part of the U.S. to assassinate Soleimani was a “bold” one.
“I feel the initial strike on the general was a bold move by our government,” Taylor said. “Because I really feel that we have to really show them who is in control and we are not to be messed with.”
Taylor addressed the issue of a prolonged American military presence. While he felt U.S. troops had overstayed their welcome in the Middle East, he sees the presence as a necessary evil.
“I think it’s sad that we are still over there, period, but to keep control that’s what we have to do,” he said. “Being that we did kill their general, I feel that now we are going to have serious tensions and problems for years to come.”
David Altemara, who lives in Belle Vernon, said he, too, feels the weight of American troops in the Middle East –– specifically, financially.
“We can’t keep doing this,” Altemara said. “It’s costing us a lot of money just to deploy the men and women over there that go overseas and sit there and not know what’s next.”
Altemara described his opinion on the matter as “old school,” and said if a threat is made against the U.S., the government should react as it sees fit.
“We need to remain the strongest nation,” he said. “There are other nations out there gaining on us. I believe we should stick to our guns.”
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