The chronology of the US-Iran conflict

Both countries have been at odds since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the violent entry of Iranians into the US Embassy, but although both sides have shown restraint after the missile attack, the threat of a general war is still present.

Chronology of key events ahead:

On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announces the US withdrawal from a nuclear agreement of world powers with Iran, signed by his predecessor, Barack Obama, which allowed a reduction in sanctions on Iran in exchange for limiting Iran's nuclear programme and expanded UN supervision. In the following months, the US tightened sanctions, exacerbating Iran's economic crisis.

On November 5, 2018, The US imposed severe sanctions on Iran's oil industry, which is vital to the country's economy, with a list of 12 requirements Iran must meet to reduce sanctions. Iran has rejected those demands, including cutting off support for armed groups in the region, withdrawing from Syrian civil war and stopping ballistic missile programmes.

May 5th, 2019, the United States announced the deployment of fighter aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and the bomb group in response to the numerous disturbing subx0s of escalation and warning”, without detail, and that any possible attack would respond with ruthless force.

May 8, 2019, Iran threatens to enrich uranium reserves at arms levels if world powers fail to agree on new terms for a nuclear agreement. The EU called on Iran to stick to the nuclear agreement and said it plans to resume trade with the country, while Trump said he would like Iranian leaders to invite him.

May 12th, 2019, the United Arab Emirates report that four commercial ships on their eastern shores have been sabotaged. Trump warned Tehran that it would undergo “per” if it would do anything “in the form of an attack”.

On June 13, 2019, two oil tankers near the strategic Strait Hormuz were hit in an attack. The American Navy rushed to offer help, and America later blamed Iran for the attack, which Tehran denies.

June 20, 2019 Iranian Revolutionary Guard crashed an American discovery plane. Trump called for a planned revenge attack on Iran.

On July 1, 2019, Iran continued to threaten to increase the border imposed by the nuclear agreement on supplies of low-rich uranium used for civilian purposes rather than nuclear weapons.

On September 14, 2019, a drive attack on Saudi oil facilities temporarily halved oil supplies from the world's largest producers, leading to increased prices. The United States said the attack was carried out by Iran, directly accusing it of a <x0 war>” against Saudi Arabia. Iran has denied involvement, while the responsibility so far has been taken by Yemen-based Huri rebels.

Massive antigovernmental protests erupted in Lebanon and Iraq in October 2019, caused mainly by economic problems, but were targeted by authorities with close ties to Iran. Protesters in Iraq have openly condemned Tehran's influence and attacked Iranian diplomatic facilities.

In November 2019, protests erupted in hundreds of Iran cities following a decision to raise fuel prices. The rate of protests and confrontations with subsequent protests is hard to determine, but Amnesty International later estimated that more than 300 people were killed.

On December 27, 2019, an American was killed in a missile attack on a base in northern Iraq and several American and Iraqi soldiers were injured. The US has blamed Kataeb Hezbollah, one of several armed groups operating in Iran with Iran's support for the attack.

On December 29, 2019, at least 25 fighters were killed in the US attacks on Kataeb Hezbollah's positions in Iraq and Syria, prompting revenge threats, while praising the attacks as flagrant violations of its sovereignty.

On December 31, 2019, hundreds of pro-Mirania protesters penetrated the US Embassy's outer fence in Baghdad and held a two-day protest, during which they destroyed windows, lit fires, while American marines guarding the facility responded with tear gas.

On January 3, 2020, General Qasem Solemann, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard elite unit, was killed in an American air strike near Baghdad Airport, and the Pentagon announced that Soliman was killed under American President Donald Trump's orders.

Leaders in Congress and nearby US allies have said they have not consulted about the attack, which many fear could spur the war.

On January 5, 2020, Iran has announced that it will no longer adhere to the nuclear agreement, and the Iraqi Parliament adopted a resolution through which the expulsion of all American forces from Iraq was required. About 5,200 American troops are deployed in Iraq to prevent the resurface of the Islamic State. Trump has threatened Iraq with sanctions if the latter expels American troops, broadcast Koosva Prees.

On January 8, 2020, Iran fired some ballistic missiles on two American bases in Iraq in retaliation for the murder of Solejman. So far there are no reports of victims, and the American president wrote on Twitter that “everything is fine” and will later come up with a statement, while Iran's top leader said it was a slap on Americans, but that military action was not enough.