Fear Iran’s ‘crushing revenge’ on US could mean cyber war in Britain, rocket barrages in Israel and global kidnappings
FEARS that Iran’s ‘crushing revenge’ on US could mean cyber war in Britain, rocket barrages in Israel and global kidnappings have formed. Amir Hatami, the country’s defence minister unleashed the threat in the wake of General Qasem Soleimani’s assassination on Friday. Hatami, who is also top commander of the elite Quds, said: “A crushing revenge […]
FEARS that Iran’s ‘crushing revenge’ on US could mean cyber war in Britain, rocket barrages in Israel and global kidnappings have formed.
Amir Hatami, the country’s defence minister unleashed the threat in the wake of General Qasem Soleimani’s assassination on Friday.
Hatami, who is also top commander of the elite Quds, said: “A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimani’s unjust assassination… We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible for his assassination.”
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US was in for a “harsh retaliation”.
Declaring three days of public mourning during a statement on state television, Khamenei added: “All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war.”
The Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, said Iran and “other freedom-seeking countries” in the region will take revenge for the killing.
David Kilcullen, counterinsurgency expert told The Daily Beast, Iran could unleash “more asymmetric or unconventional style hits on Europe, Africa, South America, and/or the continental US.”
This could come in the form of cyberattacks, which Soleimani himself have threatened in the past – terrorist attacks,
terrorist attacks, assassinations, or kidnappings.
He added that the country could also respond by sending a wave of rocket attacks on Israel, Saudi and possibly the UAE.
General Qasem Soleimani was killed shortly after he left Baghdad airport when his vehicle was blown to pieces by a US MQ9 Reaper drone.
He had landed after travelling from either Syria or Lebanon at around 12.30am when he was met by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization forces in Iraq.
As the cars passed through a cargo area for an access road leading out of the airport, the vehicle was struck by at least two missiles by a US MQ9 Reaper drone which was being controlled remotely.
CRUSHING REVENGE
At least two missiles were fired at the vehicles – killing the general and others on board.
Attempting to cool the situation down, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.”
But former vice president Joe Biden warned: “This is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region.
“President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.”
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According Andrew deGrandpre, Deputy national security editor for the Washington Post, discussion of the Soleimani operation began last week.
He wrote: “A U.S offical said discussion of the strike began after the contractor’s death.
“On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a planned trip to Eastern Europe, citing the need to stay in Washington ‘to continue monitoring the ongoing situation in Iraq and ensure the safety and security of Americans in the Middle East.'”
