Pompeo defends Soleimani killing, slams Europe

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday criticised European countries for not being "helpful", while he defended President Donald Trump's decision to launch a strike that killed prominent Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

"The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well... This was a good thing for the entire world," he told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

The targeting of Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was arguably the most provocative US military action in the Middle East since President George W. Bush launched the 2003 Iraq war to topple Saddam Hussein.

The killing came as Trump sought to apply increased pressure on Iran through economic sanctions to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, while Tehran countered with provocative attacks on US military and oil facilities in region.

By taking out Soleimani, Trump signaled to Iran that his patience has worn thin over the long, simmering conflagration.