Iran and US tensions are at an all-time high following the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by Washington in an airstrike. Global leaders have begun assessing the magnitude of the situation with many holding fears of World War 3 and destabilisation of the Middle East. For the first time in the history of Iran, a red flag was raised over the Holy Dome of Jamkarān Mosque symbolising a severe battle to come.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Imam Sayyed on Friday vowed “severe revenge” in response to the killing of Soleimani.
Iranian official including the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed the Islamic Republic will take revenge for the commander and others killed.
The airstrike occurred early on Friday at Baghdad international airport and killed the Iranian commander in well as other Iraqi commanders.
International relation scholars have argued that this could see further escalation and ultimately all-out war.
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Despite growing concern from world leaders Donald Trump has argued the attack against the general is more likely to have prevented World War 3 than caused it.
President Trump added the US killing of Iran’s top military chief General Qassem Soleimani “should have been done a long time ago”.
The US president said: “We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.”
Mr Trump said the US was not seeking regime change in Iran, but claimed the world was a safer place without “monsters” such as Gen Soleimani.
While on BBC he added that the attack was “not a wise decision at all” and may lead to further escalation in the region.
Mr Gerges said: “Imagine a scenario where Iran retaliates against American forces.
“There are tens of thousands of American forces in the middle east and more are coming in the next few days.
“You have military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, you have military ships.
“If the Iranians retaliate against the American’s and the American’s retaliates back this could be a trigger for a region-wide conflict.”