Iran's President Rouhani has promised it will get revenge the assassination Iranian general Qassem Soleimani Friday. In a strongly-worded statement, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do not realise what grave error they have committed. Revenge his blood will be secured, and the filthy hands America will be cut off forever this region." Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered similarly vengeful comments. He said: "Severe retaliation awaits murderers who have the blood Mr Soleimani and that other martyrs their wicked hands." He said Soleimani's death would intensify Iran's hostility the United States and Israel.
Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second most powerful figure Iran. He was Iran's pre-eminent military leader and was viewed as the architect Iran's spreading influence the Middle East. Such was his popularity many Iranians, he was dubbed the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination Soleimani after the death an American in attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was to prevent war the region. He called Mr Soleimani a terrorist responsible thousands of deaths. The world is now tenterhooks to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the top-trending hashtag social media on Saturday.
