Iran Quds Force leader General Qasem Soleimani killed by US forces on Donald Trump's orders

Bonnie Christian3 January 2020

General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, has been killed by US forces in Iraq.

The Pentagon confirmed he was killed "at the direction of the President".

It comes after reports of a strike at Baghdad's international airport, which is reported to have killed seven people.

General Soleimani was a major figure in the Iranian regime. His Quds force reported directly to the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A destroyed vehicle on fire following a US strike
IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

In the wake of the strike, global oil prices soared more than four per cent.

US President Donald Trump tweeted an image of the American flag after the news broke.

A Pentagon statement said: "At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

It continued that General Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

One US official told Reuters Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), was also believed to have been killed in the strike, though he was not the primary target.

The official said they were aware of the possibility of an Iranian response and US military officials were ready to defend themselves.

US Secretary of State Mike Popeo tweeted a video of what he said were "Iraqs dancing in the street for freedom", adding: "Thankful that General Soleimani is no more."

However, the move was condemned by Democrats, with Former US Vice President Joe Biden saying Mr Trump had "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox".

"This is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region... President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond," he said.

US Senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren wrote: "Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war."

An adviser to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani quickly warned President Trump of retaliation from Tehran.

“Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region,” Hessameddin Ashena wrote on the social media app Telegram. “Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.”

A vehicle on fire outside Baghdad's international airport
IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US.

Iranian state TV carried a statement by Mr Khamenei also calling General Soleimani "the international face of resistance." He also declared three days of public mourning.

In a translated post on Twitter, former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezai vowed "vigorous revenge" over the General Soleimani's death.

"Martyr Lieutenant General Qasem Suleimani joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America," Mr Rezaei, who is now the secretary of a powerful state body, said

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday the assassination was "an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation."

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said in a post on Twitter.

The strike is a potential turning point in the Middle East and is expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the Middle East against Israel and American interests.

Iraqi security officials have said have said at least three Katyusha rockets were fired at the airport.

Iraq’s security media cell, which releases information regarding Iraqi security, said the rockets landed near the cargo hall and added that two cars were on fire.

The nighttime attack occurred amid tensions with the US after an Iran-backed militia attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad.

US defence secretary Mark Esper said late on Thursday that the US would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region, blaming Iran for the violence at the embassy.

"Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing," a statement read. "We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities."

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