Iran cannot compete in World Cup because of US attacks, Iranian sports minister says
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Iran's sports minister says it cannot take part in the upcoming World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war.
In a video posted on Tuesday, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said Iranian players would not be safe in the U.S.
Iran will not compete in World Cup, Iranian sports minister says
What they're saying:
"Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people – definitely it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup," Donyamali told Iranian state TV.
Iran was set to play matches in World Cup in US
The backstory:
Iran was due to play two matches in Los Angeles in June, against New Zealand and Belgium, before facing Egypt in Seattle in their final group stage match on June 26.
The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
However, Iran's participation was uncertain after the U.S. and Israel began launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.
FILE - Draw assistant Tom Brady, Draw assistant Shaquille O’Neal, Co-Conductor Samantha Johnson, FIFA Legend Rio Ferdinand, Draw assistant Aaron Judge and Draw assistant Wayne Gretzky stand on stage as Iran is illuminated on the screen during the FIF
FIFA said Tuesday night that it anticipated Iran’s national team would be allowed to come to the United States.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said "I really don’t care" if Iran takes part in the 48-nation tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night "to discuss the status of preparations" for the tournament and received assurances that Iran would be permitted to come to the U.S.
What's next:
FIFA's rules around what would happen if Iran were to withdraw are vague, but it is possible that one of Iraq or the UAE might take their place in Group G, according to ESPN.
US airstrikes in Iran enters 12th day
Big picture view:
The U.S. campaign of airstrikes in Iran is now in its 12th day with no end in sight after hitting more than 5,500 targets. The Israeli military is striking across Iran as well as in Lebanon, where Israel says it's targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. An Israeli intelligence assessment also indicates that Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded at the start of the war.
RELATED: Live updates: Iran fires missiles across Gulf as war continues
The war has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, at least 570 in Lebanon and 12 in Israel, according to officials in those countries.
The Pentagon said Tuesday that about 140 U.S. service members have been wounded, eight of them severely, and seven killed.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press, ESPN contributed.