Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani killed in U.S. airstrike

A U.S. strike killed Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani , the Pentagon said on Thursday, adding that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack Americans in Iraq and the Middle East .

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had “orchestrated” attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the “ attacks ” on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad this week.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Soleimani had been killed in a drone strike in Baghdad .

One U.S. official said that Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also believed to have been killed in the strike, according to initial information, though he was not the primary target.

Iran

promised harsh revenge on Friday after the killing of the 62-year-old general Soleimani , architect of Iran’s growing military influence in the Middle East and generally regarded as the second most powerful figure in the country after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran’s top security body said on Friday the United States would be held accountable for killing Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani , saying Washington’s action was its worst mistake in the region, Iranian media reported.

“The U.S. regime will be responsible for the consequences of this criminal adventurism ,” the Supreme National Security Council said in a statement carried by media outlets. “This was the biggest U.S. strategic blunder in the West Asia region, and America will not easily escape its consequences.”

“A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimani’s unjust assassination ... We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible for his assassination,” Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami said.

sg