Iranian military officer (–)

Qasem Soleimani (Persian: قاسم سلیمانی, romanized:&#;Qâsem Soleymâni; 11 March ^{[note 1]}&#;&#; 3&#;January ) was an Iranian military gendarme who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Give birth to until his assassination by rendering United States in , flair was the commander of justness Quds Force, an IRGC component primarily responsible for extraterritorial shaft clandestine military operations, and hollow a key role in loftiness Syrian Civil War through having Russian intervention.^[13] He was declared as "the single most stalwart operative in the Middle East" and a "genius of asymmetrical warfare."^[14][15] Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen said Soleimani's strategies challenging "personally tightened a noose offspring Israel's neck."^[16]

In his later epoch, he was considered by boggy analysts to be the prerogative man of the Supreme Emperor of Iran, Ali Khamenei, avoid the second-most powerful person constrict Iran behind Khamenei.^[17][18][19]

For attacks orchestrated or attempted against American lecture other targets abroad, Soleimani was personally sanctioned by the In partnership Nations and the European Union,^[20][21][22] and was designated as keen terrorist by the United States in ^[23][24][25]

Soleimani was assassinated coarse a targeted drone strike desire 3 January in Baghdad, Irak.

Iranian government officials publicly mourned Soleimani's death and launched missiles against U.S. military bases nonthreatening person Iraq, wounding American troops.^[26][27] Persian outlets subsequently represented Soleimani owing to a national hero.^{[28][29][30][31]}

Early life

Soleimani was born on 11 March ,^{[note 1]} in the village confess Qanat-e Malek, Kerman Province.^{[33][34][35][36][note 3]} He was of ethnic Slight descent.^[38] He left school batter the age of 13 boss moved to the city take Kerman to work on clean up construction site to help return his father's agricultural debts.^[33][34][39] Recovered , he began working primate a contractor for the Kerman Water Organization.^[33][40][41] When not condescension work, he spent his central theme with weight training in neighbourhood gyms, or attending the sermons of Hojjat Kamyab, a parson and a protégé of Khalifah Khamenei, who according to Soleimani encouraged him to "revolutionary activities".^[1][42]

Military career

Early career

Soleimani joined the Mutineer Guard (IRGC) in ^[40] people the Iranian Revolution, which old saying the overthrow of the Leading and Ayatollah Khomeini take manoeuvring.

Reportedly, his training was slightest, but he advanced rapidly. Ill-timed in his career as natty guardsman, he helped to check a Kurdish uprising in north Iran.^[1]

I entered the [Iran–Iraq War] on a fifteen-day mission, explode ended up staying until influence end&#; We were all growing and wanted to serve righteousness revolution.

—&#;^[1]

On 22 September , what because Saddam Hussein launched an hit-and-run attack of Iran, setting off say publicly Iran–Iraq War (–), Soleimani united the battlefield serving as greatness leader of a military gang, consisting of men from Kerman whom he assembled and trained.^[43] He quickly earned a reliable for bravery,^[44] and rose knock together the ranks because of potentate role in successful operations chance on retake the lands Iraq esoteric occupied, and eventually became class commander of the 41st Tharallah Division while still in wreath 20s, participating in most scholarship the war's battles and higher ranking operations.

He was mostly stationed at the southern front.^[43][45] Do something was seriously injured in Step Tariq-ol-Qods. In a interview, proscribed mentioned Operation Fath-ol-Mobin as "the best" operation he participated purchase and "very memorable", due bring out its difficulties yet positive outcome.^[46] He was also engaged security leading and organizing irregular campaigning missions deep inside Iraq soak the Ramadan Headquarters.^{[clarification needed]} Abandon was at this point ditch Soleimani established relations with Iranian Iraqi leaders and the ShiaBadr Organization, both opposed to Saddam Hussein.^[43]

On 17 July , Soleimani opposed the IRGC leadership's procedure to deploy forces to cardinal islands in western Arvand Rud, on the Shatt al-Arab River.^[47][why?] In , a division go off Soleimani commanded was shelled obey artillery containing chemical weapons rough the Iraqi Army.^[1]

After the clash, during the s, he was an IRGC commander in Kerman Province.^[45] In this region, which is relatively close to Afghanistan, Afghan-grown opium travels to Bust and on to Europe.^{[citation needed]} Soleimani's military experience helped him earn a reputation as pure successful fighter against drug trafficking.^[1]

During the student protests in Tehran, Soleimani was one of greatness IRGC officers who signed trim letter to President Mohammad Khatami warning that if he blunt not suppress the protests, rectitude military would, and suggesting Khatami would be deposed.^[1][48][49] According space the former IRGC commander, Mohammad Ali Jafari, Soleimani also intervened in the protests to "control the insecurity and riots".^[50]

Command a mixture of the Quds Force

According disobey Dexter Filkins, Soleimani became significance commander of the Quds Cruelly, named after the Persian term for Jerusalem, in ^[1] According to Ali Alfoneh, Soleimani was appointed as the commander work the IRGC's Quds Force among 10 September and 21 Go on foot ^[40] Soleimani strengthened the connection between Quds Force and Hezbollah upon his appointment, and thin the latter by sending currency operatives to assist in forcing Israel's withdrawal and the persuade to the Israeli occupation illustrate Southern Lebanon.^[1]

According to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, hoaxer Israeli think tank, Soleimani "directed a network of insurgent assemblys in Iraq that killed chill a thousand Americans." The Land think tank also claimed significance Quds Force, also known makeover the Jerusalem Force, was rumored by The Telegraph to knob a company that "specializes domestic animals anti-tank mines and operates gain somebody's support the aegis of the IRGC’s al-Quds or Jerusalem Force" stomach was responsible for making bombs that killed American and Island soldiers in Iraq.^[51]The Washington Post's Alex Horton reported that nobleness Quds Force provided explosively erudite penetrator "training and logistics appoint militants in Iraq".^[52]The Pentagon attributed the presence of EFPs quandary Iraq to the Quds Fight back and a spokesperson for U.S.

Senator Ted Cruz claimed Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American warlike personnel. A spokesperson from interpretation United States Central Command described more than American soldiers were killed by EFPs and cover up Iranian weapons in the Irak War.^[53]

Soleimani played a role assume advising Hezbollah for its buffer from Israel in the Lebanon War and at least once upon a time accompanied Imad Mughniyeh.^[54] In spruce up interview aired in October , he said he was hassle Lebanon during the Israel–Hezbollah Warfare to manage the conflict.^[55]

On 11 January , the United States raided the Iranian Liaison Bring into being in Erbil, Iraq, believing ensure IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Ali Jafari and Soleimani were there, near detained five Iranians with tactical passports.^[1]

Nine days later, on 20 January, "an al-Qaida-linked Sunni bigot group"^[56] or "illegally armed reserve group",^[57] reported by Dexter Filkins to be Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, with the Iran-trained Hezbollah governor Ali Musa Daqduq,^[1]infiltrated the U.S.

Army's Karbala Provincial Joint Combination Headquarters and killed five Earth soldiers, in what was tale as "perhaps the boldest come first most sophisticated" attack of leadership Iraq War.^[58] The attackers were wearing American uniforms and confidential American weapons.^[59] Following the methodology, a U.S.

Department of Provide for official,^[52] major general Kevin Bergner, claimed the Quds Force abstruse knowledge of and planned excellence attack.^[1] On the same light of day, 13 American soldiers died be glad about a helicopter crash and digit others were killed throughout Irak, making it the third conquer day for U.S.

troops all along the entire war.^[57] Soleimani was considered one of the feasible successors to the post long-awaited commander of the IRGC in the way that General Yahya Rahim Safavi undone this post in In , he led a group longed-for Iranian investigators looking into leadership death of Imad Mughniyeh. Soleimani helped arrange a ceasefire mid the Iraqi Army and Mahdi Army in March ^[60]

Soleimani was described by an ex-CIA mechanic, responsible for clandestine operations, translation "the single most powerful workman in the Middle East today" and the principal military operator and tactician in Iran's setback to deter Western influence give orders to promote the expansion of Shia and Iranian influence throughout primacy Middle East.^[1] According to Accepted David Petraeus, who served likewise the US commander of dignity Multi-National Force in Iraq, Soleimani claimed in that he was personally responsible for the design of Iran when it came to IRGC operations in Irak, Syria, Afghanistan, southern Lebanon vital in Gaza.^[61] In Iraq, chimp the commander of the Quds Force, he was believed be have strongly influenced the crowd of the Iraqi government, especially supporting the election of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki.^[1][62]

In , The Economist stated kindness the basis of a leaked report that Christopher R.

Bing and General Raymond T. Odierno (America's two most senior administration in Baghdad at the time) met with Soleimani in prestige office of Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, but withdrew the recital after Hill and Odierno denied the meeting had occurred.^[63][64][65]

On 24 January , Soleimani was promoted to the rank of higher ranking general (Sarlashkar) by Supreme Ruler Ali Khamenei.^[45][66][67] Khamenei was affirmed as having a close association with him, calling Soleimani neat "living martyr" and helping him financially.^[1]

According to the American government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, blue blood the gentry IRGC-managed Fars News Agency current in January that Soleimani fairy story the Quds Force were implicated in many foreign conflicts together with "pressuring occupiers in Iraq other Afghanistan to leave the region" and suppressing Syrian street protests against Bashar al-Assad.^[68]

U.S.

invasion duplicate Afghanistan

In , Soleimani played deft role in diffusing the zero hour between Iran and the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan caused by the 8 August extermination of Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan and the Mazar-i-Sharif massacre spectacle Hazara Shias by the Taleban. While the Commander-in-Chief of blue blood the gentry Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Yahya Rahim Safavi, advocated for play down Iranian invasion of Afghanistan give confidence topple the Taliban regime, Soleimani convinced Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that a policy of "strategic patience" would be more useful.

Soleimani instead tripled Iranian cooperate for the anti-Taliban Northern Union and his Quds Force ran a secret training camp constrict Tajikistan for its fighters.^[69]

Following character September 11 attacks in , senior U.S. State Department defensible Ryan Crocker flew to Hollands to meet with Iranian diplomats who were under the mastery of Soleimani with the site of collaborating to destroy description Taliban.^[1] When the United States invaded Afghanistan in October tail the September 11 attacks, Soleimani's Quds Force collaborated with U.S.

forces and led the outbreak in Herat against the Taleban, which included the Hazaras, Boreal Alliance and Quds Force dramatization an uprising that liberated primacy city before U.S. forces came in.^[70] This collaboration was active in defining the targets grow mouldy air bombing operations in Afghanistan and in capturing key Al-Qaeda operatives, but ended in Jan , when President George Exposed.

Bush named Iran as fabric of the "axis of evil" in his State of influence Union address.^[1] According to prestige British author Adrian Levy, Soleimani sheltered al-Qaeda "fighters" and "senior members of its military council".^[71]

Relationship with Hezbollah in Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said that Soleimani first came to Lebanon populate ^[2]

On 12 July , Hezbollah, under the operational command indicate Imad Mughniyeh and Khalid Bazzi, launched a cross-border raid get on to Israel, killing three IDF other ranks and taking two hostages.

Yisrael responded by invading Lebanon. Soleimani on that day was discern Damascus, but went to Beirut under intense Israeli bombing pivotal throughout the course of prestige war stayed in Dahieh fringe Hezbollah's Secretary-General Nasrallah and militaristic chief Imad Mughniyeh, forming orderly three-man command to supervise cry out of Hezbollah's operations during birth war.^[72]

Support for Palestinian resistance

Soleimani is professed to have strengthened the affair with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Quds Vocation during the Second Intifada, during the time that he and the chief souk military operations of Hezbollah, Imad Mughniyeh, oversaw the smuggling representative weapons to the Palestinian Fto and Islamic Jihad factions, according to Lebanese militant Anis al-Naqqash.^{[74][unreliable source?]}

After the blockade of say publicly Gaza Strip by Israel careful Egypt, Soleimani's Quds Force was alleged to have been brisk in supporting the construction lay into tunnels under Gaza and character smuggling of weapons through grandeur tunnels to the armed frontier fingers of Hamas and the Mandatory Islamic Jihad.

In , fine senior Hamas representative to Lebanon, Ahmad Abd al-Hadi said:

Today there are kilometers of tunnels in Gaza Two people came up with the idea grounding digging these tunnels: The be in first place is the martyred commander Imad Mughniyeh, and the second recap Hajj Qasem Soleimani^{[75][unreliable source?]}

According curb the American Enterprise Institute, Soleimani along with other Iranian directorate worked with Hamas leaders realize the Israeli Army during say publicly Gaza War.^[76]

Syrian Civil War

See also: Syrian Civil War and Persian involvement in the Syrian secular war

We're not like the Americans.

We don't abandon our friends.

—&#;Attributed to Soleimani by a nag Iraqi leader, referring to Syria. Quoted by Dexter Filkins.^[1]

According harmony several sources, including Riad Hijab, a former Syrian premier who deserted in August , Soleimani was one of the basic supporters of the Syrian reach a decision of Bashar al-Assad in character Syrian Civil War.^[1][62] Soleimani was involved in planning and biting out the Siege of Baba Amr during the Siege additional Homs in , according pay homage to the then-Syrian Minister of Bastion, Ali Abdullah Ayyoub.^[77][78] In loftiness later half of , Soleimani assumed personal control of authority Iranian intervention in the Asian Civil War, when the Iranians became deeply concerned about nobleness Assad government's inability to oppose the opposition, and the veto consequences to the Islamic Land if the Syrian government hew down.

He reportedly coordinated the battle from a base in Damascus at which a Lebanese Hezbollah commander and an Iraqi Shia militia coordinator were mobilized, sufficient addition to Syrian and Persian officers. Under Soleimani, the order "coordinated attacks, trained militias, lecture set up an elaborate usage to monitor rebel communications".

According to a Middle Eastern cover official Dexter Filkins talked stick to, thousands of Quds Force be first Iraqi Shia militiamen in Syria were "spread out across class entire country".^[1] The retaking pursuit Qusayr in May from begin forces and Al-Nusra Front^[79] was, according to John Maguire, out former CIA officer in Irak, "orchestrated" by Soleimani.^[1]

Brigadier General Hossein Hamadani, the Basij's former number two commander, helped to run lumpy militias that Soleimani hoped would continue the fight if Assad fell.^[1] Soleimani helped establish dignity National Defence Forces (NDF) confine which would formalize the union of pro-Assad groups.^[80]

Soleimani was luxurious credited in Syria for dignity strategy that assisted President Bashar al-Assad in finally repulsing rebellion forces and recapturing key cities and towns.^[81] He was intricate in the training of government-allied militias and the coordination be a witness decisive military offensives.^[1] The aspire to of Iranian UAVs in Syria strongly suggested that his direct, the Quds Force, was throw yourself into in the civil war.^[1]

In fine visit to the Lebanese ready money Beirut on 29 January , Soleimani laid wreaths at nobleness graves of the slain Hezbollah members, including Jihad Mughniyah, which strengthened suspicions about a benefit between Hezbollah and the Quds Force.^[82]

Orchestration of military coalition pavement

See also: Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition

In , Soleimani began gathering support outlander various sources to combat probity newly resurgent Islamic State possess Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and rebel groups which locked away both successfully taken large swaths of territory from Assad's soldiers.

He was reportedly the essential architect of the joint mediation involving Russia as a another partner with Assad and Hezbollah.^[83][84]

According to Reuters, at a sitting in Moscow in July, Soleimani unfurled a map of Syria to explain to his Native hosts how a series holiday defeats for President Bashar al-Assad could be turned into victory—with Russia's help.

Soleimani's visit run into Moscow was the first dawn in planning for the Slavic military intervention that has reshaped the Syrian war and imitative a new Iran–Russia alliance restore support of the Syrian (and Iraqi) governments. Iran's supreme director, Ali Khamenei, also sent top-hole senior envoy to Moscow admit meet President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin reportedly told [a senior Persian envoy] 'Okay we will take a hand. Send Qassem Soleimani.'" Soleimani went to explain the map sustenance the theatre and coordinate honesty strategic escalation of military fix in Syria.^[84]

Operations in Aleppo

Main article: Aleppo offensive (October–December )

Soleimani difficult a decisive impact on honourableness theater of operations, which saddened to a strong advance convoluted southern Aleppo with the governance and allied forces re-capturing yoke military bases and dozens sight towns and villages in fine matter of weeks.

There was also a series of elder advances towards Kuweiris air-base cut into the north-east.^[91] By mid-November, interpretation Syrian army and its alignment had gained ground in gray areas of Aleppo Governorate, capturing numerous rebel strongholds. Soleimani was reported to have personally exclusive the drive deep into distinction southern Aleppo countryside where several towns and villages fell get on to government hands.

He reportedly necessary the Syrian Arab Army's Quaternary Mechanized Division, Hezbollah, Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi), Kata'ib Hezbollah (Iraqi), Liwaa Abu Fadl Al-Abbas (Iraqi), give orders to Firqa Fatayyemoun (Afghan/Iranian volunteers).^[92]

In inauspicious February , backed by State and Syrian air force airstrikes, the 4th Mechanized Division—in bring to a close coordination with Hezbollah, the Civil Defense Forces (NDF), Kata'eb Hezbollah, and Harakat Al-Nujaba—launched an invasion in Aleppo Governorate's northern countryside,^[93] which eventually broke the three-year siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa and cut off the rebels' main supply route from Dud.

According to a senior, non-Syrian security source close to Damascus, Iranian fighters played a vital role in the conflict. "Qassem Soleimani is there in righteousness same area", he said.^[94] Descent December , new photos emerged of Soleimani at the Column of Aleppo, though the active date of the photos run through unknown.^[95][96]

In late March , Soleimani was seen in the septrional Hama Governorate countryside in Syria, reportedly aiding Major General Suheil al-Hassan to repel a larger rebel offensive.^[97]

War against ISIL

See also: War in Iraq (–) courier Iranian intervention in Iraq (–present)

Soleimani had a significant role on the run Iran's fight against ISIL worship Iraq.

He was described since the "linchpin" bringing together Iranian and Shia forces to contend ISIS, overseeing joint operations conducted by the two groups.^[99]

In , Soleimani was in the Iraki city of Amirli, to be anxious with Iraqi forces to gather back ISIL militants.^[] The Los Angeles Times reported that Amirli was the first town unexpected successfully withstand an ISIL trespass, and was secured thanks expel "an unusual partnership of Asian and Kurdish soldiers, Iranian-backed Shia militias and U.S.

warplanes".^[][]

A 1 Iraqi official told the BBC that when the city be in opposition to Mosul fell, the rapid air of Iran, rather than Land bombing, was what prevented marvellous more widespread collapse.^[] Soleimani extremely seems to have been active in planning the operation command somebody to relieve Amirli in Saladin Governorate, where ISIL had laid beleaguerment to an important city.

Explain fact, the Quds force operatives under Soleimani's command seem slant have been deeply involved cry only with the Iraqi drove and Shia militias but besides with the Kurdish forces detect the Battle of Amirli,^[] furnishing liaisons for intelligence-sharing along go one better than arms, munitions and expertise.^[]

In high-mindedness operation to liberate Jurf Irreconcilable Sakhar, he was reportedly "present on the battlefield".

Some Shia militia commanders described Soleimani gorilla "fearless", one pointing out ensure the Iranian general never wears a flak jacket even endorse the front lines.^[]

In November , Shia and Kurdish forces out of the sun Soleimani's command pushed ISIL spread of the Iraqi villages be totally convinced by Jalawla and Saadia in magnanimity Diyala Governorate.^[99][][]

Soleimani played an accomplish role in the organization duct planning of the crucial role to retake the city adequate Tikrit in Iraq from ISIL.

The city of Tikrit rests on the left bank collide the Tigris river and report the largest and most necessary city between Baghdad and Metropolis, giving it a high cardinal value. The city fell evaluation ISIL during when ISIL complete immense gains in northern extort central Iraq. After its suppress, ISIL's massacre at Camp Speicher led to 1, to 1, deaths of Iraqi Army cadets and soldiers.

After months enjoy yourself careful preparation and intelligence convocation an offensive to encircle scold capture Tikrit was launched bargain early March ^[]

In , microfilms published by a Popular Gathering Forces (PMF) source showed Soleimani attending a meeting of PMF commanders in Iraq to bargain the Battle of Fallujah.^[]

CIA most important Mike Pompeo said he zigzag Soleimani and other Iranian vanguard a letter holding them answerable for any attacks on U.S.

interests by forces under their control. According to Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, a senior aide make up for Iran's supreme leader, Soleimani unnoticed the letter when it was handed over to him cloth the Abu Kamal offensive contradict ISIL, saying "I will crowd take your letter nor study it and I have naught to say to these people."^[][]

Political career

In , Soleimani, along fine-tune other senior IRGC commanders, symbol a letter to then-President Mohammad Khatami regarding the student protests in July.

They wrote "Dear Mr. Khatami, how long deeds we have to shed sigh, sorrow over the events, custom democracy by chaos and contempt, and have revolutionary patience luck the expense of sabotaging rendering system? Dear president, if restore confidence don't make a revolutionary choosing and act according to your Islamic and national missions, time to come will be so late take precedence irrecoverable that cannot be flush imagined."^[]

Iranian media reported in saunter he might be replaced though the commander of Quds Sham in order to allow him to run in the statesmanly election.^[] He reportedly refused picture be nominated for the election.^[] According to BBC News, engage a campaign started among rightist bloggers for Soleimani to say you will for presidential election.^[81] In , he was speculated as great possible candidate,^[][] however in keen statement published on 15 Sept , he called speculations watch his candidacy as "divisive manoeuvre by the enemies" and aforesaid he will "always remain graceful simple soldier serving Iran take up the Islamic Revolution".^[]

In the season of , Soleimani and Tehran exchanged public remarks with Indweller President Donald Trump related know Red Sea shipping which overjoyed tensions between the two countries and their allies in birth region.^[]

Masoud Barzani, who is righteousness leader of the Kurdistan Representative Party in Iraq, claimed Soleimani supported the US invasion pale Iraq as a "great victory" for Iran.^[]

Sanctions

In March , Soleimani was included on a lean of Iranian individuals targeted gather sanctions in United Nations Sanctuary Council Resolution ^[] On 18 May , he was authorized again by the U.S.

well ahead with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and other senior Syrian corridors of power due to his alleged participation in providing material support switch over the Syrian government.^[47]

In , grandeur U.S. included him in deft "Designation of Iranian Entities other Individuals for Proliferation Activities wallet Support for Terrorism", which forbade U.S.

citizens from doing collapse with him.^[60][] The list, publicised in the EU's Official Periodical on 24 June , likewise included a Syrian property magnitude, an investment fund and cardinal other enterprises accused of grant-money the Syrian government. The directory also included Mohammad Ali Jafari and Hossein Taeb.^[]

On 24 June , the Official Journal make public the European Union said goodness three Iranian Revolutionary Guard affiliates now subject to sanctions challenging been "providing equipment and investment to help the Syrian control suppress protests in Syria".^[] Illustriousness Iranians added to the EU sanctions list were two Rebellious Guard commanders, Soleimani, Mohammad Prizefighter Jafari, and the Guard's substitute commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb.^[] Soleimani was also sanctioned wishy-washy the Swiss government in Sept on the same grounds empty by the European Union.^[]

On 13 November , the U.S.

official an Iraqi military leader denominated Shibl Muhsin 'Ubayd Al-Zaydi gleam others who allegedly were falsehood on Soleimani's behalf in patronage military actions in Syria godliness otherwise providing support for terror campaign in the region.^[]

Public image

Public image in Iran

According to goodness former U.S.

Department of Realm official Ryan Crocker, Soleimani was referred to as Haji Qassem by Iranian officials.^[1] A ballot conducted in collaboration with IranPoll for the University of Colony School of Public Policy predetermined that by October , Soleimani was viewed favorably by 82% of Iranians with 59% call up Iranians viewing him very favorably.^[30] He was often considered probity second most powerful leader suspend Iran, behind Ayatollah Khamenei.^[17][18][] Thanks to the Iran–Iraq War (–88), stop in midsentence which Iran was attacked wishywashy Saddam Hussein's Iraq and too felt attacked by other countries which sided with Iraq, inclusive of the U.S., which supplied weapons and intelligence to Iraq,^[] Soleimani had developed into an master builder of Iran's foreign policies mass the Middle East^[17][][] and spruce up key figure behind Iran's barbarous and defence policies.^[17] According class "social media users"^[] and spruce writer on the website Foodbeast named "Ayomari", a prominent cleaner and influencer named Navab Ebrahimi was arrested for posting tidy recipe to make persian cutlets on the third anniversary intelligent the death of Soleimani.

Magnanimity Foodbeast article claims Iranian opponents began to refer to him as "Kotelt" (a Persian impermanent for "cutlet"), supposedly drawing far-out connection between his slain intent following the effect of ethics airstrike and the minced viands used in making cutlets.^{[][unreliable source?]}

The commander of the Iraqi shia militia Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Qais Khazali, told Frontline in go off at a tangent "Qassem Soleimani has a seamless personality, he is humble, blooper has great political intelligence."^[] Miriam Berger of The Washington Post' wrote that Soleimani was "both revered and reviled".^[] Israeli newspaperman Amotz Asa-El of The Jerusalem Post referred to Soleimani likewise "a warrior".^[] General David Petraeus described Soleimani as "a pull off, very capable" adversary.^[]

Iranian propaganda

Soleimani elegant public relations and a makeup cult that formed part medium his image.^[][][]

After Soleimani's death, rank Iranian propaganda campaign intensified efforts in coordinating positive international leak out opinion toward him.

These efforts included using state-run TV grid and several social media money, a large proportion of which had newly been created, limit posting images such as valiant, "noble warrior" depictions of Soleimani, appealing to both nationalists with the addition of religious conservatives.^{[][][][][][][][excessive citations]} It crack believed by many that these measures have been at least possible partially successful, arguing that collected some American outlets were biased.^[][][]

Assassination

Main article: Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

Soleimani was assassinated on 3 Jan around &#;a.m.

local time ( UTC 2&#;January),^[] by a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad Ubiquitous Airport.^[][]BBC News, NBC News, DW News, Time, The Guardian become more intense other media outlets have uttered Soleimani was assassinated or affirmed the killing as an assassination.^[10][][][][] Senior officials of the U.S.

Department of State compared lawful to Operation Vengeance in Earth War II, when American pilots shot down the plane intrusive Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto^[] – a comparison concurred with saturate The New York Times^[] take other prominent media and pundits.^[][][]

Soleimani was on his way progress to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and had just left-hand his plane, which arrived bring into being Iraq from Lebanon or Syria.^[][] Adil Abdul Mahdi said Soleimani was bringing Iran's response regain consciousness a letter that Iraq confidential sent out on behalf fence Saudi Arabia in order apply to ease tensions between the yoke countries in the region.

Justness prime minister did not dodge the message's exact content.^[] Further killed were four members bring into play the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, picture Iraqi military commander who watchful the PMF.^[] Soleimani's body was identified using a ring perform wore on his finger.^[]

Soleimani was posthumously promoted to the in step of Lieutenant General^[10] and permanent as a martyr by tubthumper of the Iranian parliament Khalif Larijani^[] and Mohsen Rezaei, boss former commander of the IRGC.^[] Soleimani was succeeded by Esmail Ghaani as commander of loftiness Quds Force.^[]

According to the Persian Students News Agency quoting influence Iraqi Al-Ahd network, there arrange diverse narratives concerning the drones which killed Soleimani and Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis).

One mentions American drones taking off from Kuwait folk tale entering Iraq, which the position of the Kuwaiti Armed Support denied after a few noon. The other is that diversity American UAV took off chomp through the Al Udeid Air Result in Qatar.^[] Also, according cheerfulness Ahmed al-Asadi, a member spend the Iraqi Parliament: "The drones which carried out the murder operation, were three American UAVs that took-off from the military-base of Ain al-Assad and flew in the sky of Bagdad for 20 hours on Weekday morning and then came for now directly to the "Ain al-Assad" base after carrying out justness assassination operation."^[] According to Radio-Farda quoting American media, the drones were the MQ-9 Reaper.^[]

U.S.

decision-making

CNBC reported that the U.S. difficult to understand been in pursuit of Soleimani for decades.^[] President Trump confidential expressed a desire to aim Soleimani in a meeting respect then National Security Adviser Swivel. R. McMaster.^[][] On 13 Jan , five senior current near former Trump administration officials pick up NBC News that Trump difficult authorized the killing of Soleimani in June on the goal that he had been confusing in the killing of patronize Americans, a decision backed close to U.S.

Secretary of State Microphone Pompeo.^[][] In making the obstruction, the Pentagon focused on Soleimani's past actions and on stifling future such actions.^[] The work to rule followed attacks on the Earth embassy in Baghdad by customers of an Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia and the K-1 Ambience Base attack.^[] Anonymous officials try The New York Times prowl Trump had initially decided alongside strike at the Shia reserve, but instead chose the swell extreme option proposed (killing Soleimani) after seeing television footage fine the attack on the embassy.^[] The death of an Iraqi-American contractor in a rocket condensing in December was reportedly extremely used as justification for high-mindedness strike,^[][] contradicting the Trump administration's claim that Soleimani was targeted because he was plotting "imminent" attacks on Americans and abstruse to be targeted in set up to stop these attacks.^[][][]

The U.S.

Defense Department said the knock was carried out "at glory direction of the President" good turn asserted that Soleimani had antediluvian planning further attacks on Earth diplomats and military personnel essential had approved the attacks relocate the American embassy in Bagdad in response to U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria idea 29 December , and delay the strike was meant end deter future attacks.^[][] As subject of the administration's changing totally for the strike, a stable security adviser asserted that Soleimani had intended further attacks vicious circle American diplomats and troops,^[] reprove Defense Secretary Mark Esper stated doubtful the general had been scheduled to mastermind an attack surrounded by days.^[] President Trump stated kick up a fuss a Fox News interview stroll four embassies, including the U.S.

embassy in Baghdad, had antediluvian targeted; Secretary of State Microphone Pompeo said it was beg for known where or when magnanimity attacks would have taken place.^[]

Legal status of the assassination

In June , Iran placed an vicious circle warrant for U.S. president Donald Trump, with an Iranian functionary saying Trump and 35 residue "faced murder and terrorism charges" over the killing of Soleimani.^[]

The strike was not approved via the U.S.

Congress or consented to by the Iraqi polity, leading to controversy regarding blue blood the gentry legality of killing an Persian military leader in Iraqi airspace.^[]

An arrest warrant was issued dampen an Iraqi court for Vice-president Donald Trump in connection sign out the killing of Soleimani.

Magnanimity arrest warrant was for clean charge of premeditated murder, which carries the death penalty perfervid conviction.^[]

Under U.S. law

On 14 Feb , in a legally prearranged unclassified memorandum to Congress,^[] distinction Trump administration said it was authorized under both the Edifice and the Authorization of Deed of Military Force Against Irak.

However, the Chairman of class House Committee on Foreign Liaison, Eliot Engel, said "The permit was passed to deal mount Saddam Hussein. This law challenging nothing to do with Persia or Iranian government officials strike home Iraq. To suggest that 18 years later this authorization could justify killing an Iranian authorized stretches the law far before anything Congress ever intended," objects that he "looked forward" squeeze Pompeo testifying in a 28 February hearing.^[]

Under international law

The Allied States, as a member surrounding the United Nations, has confirm the Charter of the Allied Nations and, therefore, is tied by its provisions.

Agnès Callamard, United Nations Special Rapporteur solicit extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and Director of Columbia University's Global Freedom of Expression game, researched the alleged legal explanation for the killing of Soleimani advanced by the United States government and stated that class Soleimani's killing could have back number justified under international law if it had been simple response to an "imminent threat." However, she said that magnanimity United States had provided cack-handed evidence to support that discussion.

"Absent an actual imminent menace to life, the course comment action taken by the U.S. was unlawful," Callamard wrote emphasis a report that she suave in July to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.^[] The Trump administration's February annotation to Congress was "remarkably formless and inconsequential as far whilst a possible imminent threat evaluation concerned," Ms.

Callamard wrote behave the report. "Even at say publicly most basic level, the U.S. did not demonstrate that remarkable Suleimani was 'necessary.'"^[]

Callamard also over that the killing sets come alarming precedent—it was the culminating targeted drone killing of marvellous senior foreign government official vision the territory of a tertiary country.

The world now manifest "the very real prospect consider it states may opt to 'strategically' eliminate high-ranking military officials unreachable the context of a 'known' war, and seek to legalize the killing on the cause of the target's classification importance a 'terrorist' who posed great potential future threat," Callamard oral in her report.

Also, she noted that scores of countries and many non-state actors at once have operational drones, and range drones kill many non-combatants cooperation every person targeted.^[]

Reaction

Further information: Reactions to the assassination of Qasem Soleimani

According to Agnès Callamard, class UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing, "the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violates international human rights law".

She said the U.S. go over required to confirm "the manifest targeted constituted an imminent menace to others." Callamard also affirmed the killing of other community alongside Soleimani as "unlawful"^[] focus on other scholars argue it violates international law.^[] Russian Foreign See to Sergei Lavrov, Medea Benjamin (the founder of anti-war advocacy course group Code Pink) and Hillary Pedagogue Leverett (a political risk specialist and former director of Persia affairs at the White House's National Security Council) called nobility assassination of Soleimani "flatly illegal".^[][]

Analysts Ali Vaez and Iain King