US secretary speaks to Pak army chief over the killing of Irani General Qassem Soleimani

After assassination of he of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani in US air raid, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has spoken to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa. Interestingly, US secretary chose to speak to Pakistan’s army chief inste of Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi who is  Foreign Minister of Pakistan. This could point out  insignificance of foreign ministry as against army which is kwn to have more powers as against civilian government in Pakistan.

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drone attack on Irani General

recent killing of General Qassem Soleimani along with six ors in US air raid on Baghd international airport on Friday has reportedly sent shock waves through Middle East region and has resulted in intensified tensions between US and Iran. Soleimani led a special forces unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. US maintains that Soleimani was planning an attack on American diplomats and service members in Iraq. Pompeo was quoted by an international daily saying US government vows to de-escalate tensions between two nations however it is prepared to respond appropriately if Iran chooses ' or direction'. 

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Iran vows 'harsh retaliation' 

Citing a Revolutionary Guard statement, Iranian state television said Soleimani was “martyred” in an attack by U.S. helicopters near airport, without elaborating. Soon after, visor to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, said that US must wait for "repercussions" for crossing "red line." strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq kwn as Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, officials said. On January 3, Iran's Supreme Leer Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting."

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