Published 16:43 IST, January 3rd 2020

'World War 3' becomes rage online as US kills Iran 'General', gets revenge threat

The killing of high-profile IRGC commander General Soleimani on the directives of Donald Trump, marks a new low in the already resentful, US-Iran relationship.

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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killing of IRGC commander General Soleimani on directives of Donald Trump marks a new low in alrey resentful, US-Iran relations. As White House and Pentagon confirmed death of Iran's powerful military he, Iran's Supreme Leer Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh vengeance." While news set afloat concerns of a dramatic escalation of conflict between two countries, on social media, netizens shared memes to make light of situation--making phrase 'World War 3' trend on Twitter. 

Pentagon anunced that airstrike on Baghd's airport to kill Soleimani was on directions of US President. In a statement, Pentagon said, "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout region." It said Soleimani "h orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over last several months."

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Aftermath of killing

airstrike also killed Iraqi Shia militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. attack comes in retaliation to attack on US Embassy in Baghd this week. In aftermath of attack, Iran's Supreme Leer Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting." In a similar tone, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asserted that Iran will take "revenge" against US. 

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Soon after, impact was seen on oil prices that jumped over 4% on Friday after senior Iranian and Iraqi military officials were killed. US urged its citizens to 'immediately' leave Iraq citing  "heightened tensions in Iraq and region." Furr, Israel put its military on high-alert.  attack drew condemnation from Syria as it called act a "treacherous, criminal American aggression". While pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Leban said called it a "war."  attack drew condemnation from Syria as it called act a "treacherous, criminal American aggression". While pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Leban said called it a "war."

Soleimani's IRGC, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by Donald Trump in April last year, backed Syrian President Bashar al-Ass in 2011 civil war and to battle Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIS). Soleimani h been rumoured de several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed or military officials in rthwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Ass. Rumours circulated in vember 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leing forces loyal to Ass as y fought around Syria’s Aleppo.

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16:43 IST, January 3rd 2020