Will It Be War? Khamenei Vows ‘Severe Revenge’ for Soleimani

After President Donald Trump ordered the airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Quds Force, leaders in Iran gathered to formulate a response. Many warned of a “major escalation” after the airstrike, even though Trump’s action came in response to the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, for which the Pentagon blamed Soleimani. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed “severe revenge” but stopped short of declaring war on the U.S.

“Dear Iranian Nation! Years of sincere, brave efforts fighting against the devils& villainous in the world & yrs of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam, Soleimani, to this lofty status. His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men,” Khamenei said in a statement.

Dear Iranian Nation!
Years of sincere, brave efforts fighting against the devils& villainous in the world & yrs of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam, Soleimani, to this lofty status. His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men./1

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 3, 2020

The Supreme Leader praised Soleimani as “an eminent example of a person trained in Islam” who “spent all his life in struggling for God. Martyrdom was the reward for his tireless efforts over the years.”

MORE: https://pjmedia.com/trending/will-it-be-war-iran-officials-warn-of-major-escalation/