This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
On January 3, 2020, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a vow for 'severe revenge' following the US killing of General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Republic's Quds Force, in Baghdad.
According to Khamenei, Soleimani's 'martyrdom' was a reward for his ceaseless efforts over the years. He declared three days of mourning and stated that Soleimani's work and path would not be stopped, but severe revenge awaited those responsible for his death.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed that Soleimani was killed in an attack by US helicopters on Baghdad airport, describing him as 'martyred'. Soleimani was a highly respected figure in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies.
As the international face of the resistance, Khamenei called Soleimani a victim of the 'most cruel of those on earth'. He added that all people who backed the resistance would be his 'avengers', and that continuing the fight and achieving final victory would embitter the murderers and criminals even more.
