President Trump has referred to the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani as an attempt to “stop a war,” not to start one. Despite this, his decision has clearly moved the U.S. and Iran closer to conflict.

Trump has said he would authorize the bombing of cultural sites if Iran retaliates in any way, and Iran has completely abandoned any nuclear agreement restraints they were previously abiding by. Furthermore, Iraq’s parliament has voted to expel U.S. military forces based in the country.

To discuss all of this, plus how Soleimani’s assassination violates international law and puts peace further out of reach, Phyllis Bennis, director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined The Real News Network.

The original interview and transcript are at The Real News Network.