The Iranian state TV carried a statement by Khamenei also calling Soleimani "the international face of resistance." Khamenei declared three days of public mourning for the general's death.
“Iran and the "free nations of the region" will take revenge on the United States. There is no doubt that the great nation of Iran and the other free nations of the region will take revenge for this gruesome crime from criminal America," Rouhani said in a statement posted on the Iranian government website.
The attack came amid tensions with the United States after a New Year's Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the US Embassy in Baghdad. The two-day embassy attack, which ended on Wednesday, prompted President Trump to order about 750 US soldiers deployed to the Middle East.
President Trump said on Tuesday that Iran would “be held fully responsible” for the attack on the embassy.
The assassination emphasizes United States willing to pre-emptively strike Iranian-backed militias in Iraq to protect U.S. forces. As the head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was the peer of generals leading the U.S. military's actions in Iraq. Naturally, his killing opens the way for a significant escalation, as Iran could well target high-ranking U.S. military personnel in the Middle East in response. Ultimately, Iran will absolutely seek to retaliate against the United States — the only question is at what level, what scale and when.
The most likely, Iran would conduct an operation in one of those country where it has strongholds;
Iraq – Iraqi militias backed by Iran would attack US and Western assets already high. It has increased dramatically. This would deteriorate Baghdad’s position with US and Iran. Qassim assassination already complicates the cooperation between Iraqi security forces with US against ISIS. Moreover, Iran’s influence in parliament is high. Thus, would fuel serious diplomatic relations with US.
Saudi Arabia – Four (4) months ago, Iran has attacked the Abqaiq and Khurais oil processing facilities. This attack cost Saudi Arabia’s half of oil production down. Iran might conduct such operation in Saudi Arabia which would damage the US economic interests.
Lebanon – Since Hezbollah is very strong in the country. Thus, makes the US assets and economic interests a possible target in the country.
Turkey and Europe – Although there are various US assets including economic interests, such attacks will create support to US which Iran will not likely to see as end result. Despite the facts that it is still possible to see such attacks in Western countries as well as Turkey, the chances are far less than the above.
The government of Iraq, a vital U.S. ally in the Middle East, was also enraged by the attack on its soil, of which it appeared to have no prior warning. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called it "an aggression against the country of Iraq, its state, its government and its people," and warned that it risked sparking a "devastating war."
Iran will respond and likely in various places in order to display its determination and power. However, such attack(s) might likely to raise the tension between US and Iran. Is there a chance of military clash between two? Indeed, there is. Therefore, it is very important to see how Iran would retaliate the Qassim’s assassination. If the attacks would be many in numbers, it is likely that US would be left with no choice to retaliate with military options.
We analyse the geopolitics event around Turkey and globally…
