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