The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed ‘harsh revenge’ against the United States over the killing of Iran’s top military general, Qasem Soleimani.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated after the news broke about the killing of Qasem Soleimani by the US-backed airstrike, that: “harsh revenge awaits the criminals” behind the attack on Gen. Qasem Soleimani, which took place at Baghdad airport early Friday morning under the direction of Donald Trump.
Declaring three days of public mourning, Mr Khamenei pledged to ramp up military action against the US.
“All friends – as well as all enemies – know that the path of Resistance will continue, and definite victory awaits the mujahideen (Islamic fighters) on this blessed path,” he announced.
Praising the general, he said: “For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office,” adding “his pure blood was shed in the hands of the most depraved of human beings.”
Gen. Qasem Soleimani, 62, was being driven by car at Baghdad airport when the fatal attack took place, also killing top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
The general was head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force, and a major figure in the Iranian regime.
His killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional “shadow war” between Iran and the US and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The countries have been locked in a long conflict that intensified earlier this week with an attack on the US embassy in Iraq by pro-Iranian protestors.
This morning, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the 62-year-old’s assassination would make the country even more determined to fight for its values.
“Soleimani’s martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America’s expansionism and to defend our Islamic values,” he said in a statement.
“With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge.”
It is understood Gen. Soleimani and fellow military officials were leaving Baghdad airport in two cars when they were hit by a US drone strike near a cargo area in the early hours of Friday.
Several missiles reportedly struck the convoy, and at least five people are thought to have died.
The US viewed the commander and his Quds Force as terrorists, holding them responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US personnel.
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.”
It added: “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.”
President Trump responded to the announcement by simply tweeting an image of the American flag.
There have been reactions both for and against the airstrike, as the U.S orders the immediate evacuation of her citizens from Iran.