How Qasem Soleimani had to be identified by his flashy red ring after being ‘torn to shreds’ by airstrike
THE body of Qasem Soleimani was 'torn to shreds' by Donald Trump's missiles and it was his famous red ring on his severed hand that confirmed his identity.
The major general, who was tipped to be the country's future president, was among five killed in a US airstrike as he was leaving Baghdad airport on Friday.
He had landed after travelling from either Syria or Lebanon at around 12.30am when he was met by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization forces in Iraq.
As the cars passed through a cargo area for an access road leading out of the airport, the vehicle was struck by at least two missiles by a US MQ9 Reaper drone which was being controlled remotely.
At least two missiles were fired at the vehicles - killing the general and others on board.
According Andrew deGrandpre, Deputy national security editor for the Washington Post, discussion of the Soleimani operation began last week.
He wrote: "A U.S offical said discussion of the strike began after the contractor's death.
"On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled a planned trip to Eastern Europe, citing the need to stay in Washington 'to continue monitoring the ongoing situation in Iraq and ensure the safety and security of Americans in the Middle East.'"
Officials said they were taking steps to defend Americans.
"We're well aware of the possibility of an Iranian response," one official said."
Boris Johnson had no forewarning about the Soleimani strike from Mr Trump, despite significant UK interests and 1,400 military personnel in Iraq and Syria.
Mr Johnson has been spending his Christmas break in sunnier climbs - but could face calls to return to Westminster after MPs blasted the drone strike as "reckless".
Trump tweeted a picture of an American flag after the attack was announced, and then tweeted "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!" at 12.45pm today.
Gen Soleimani's killing marks a major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran.
Amir Hatami, Iran's defence minister, has threatened the US with "crushing revenge" for Gen Soleimani's "unjust assassination".
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack.
He also announced three days of public mourning.
Gen Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, described the strike as an act of "international terrorism."
He tweeted: "The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani - THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.
"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."
The Pentagon justified the assassination, saying Gen Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".
Dalia Dassa Kaye, an Iran expert at Rand Corporation, a US think-tank, tweeted: "The notion that President Trump doesn't want war with Iran rings hollow if this was a deliberate attack.
"Killing this target will likely be viewed as an act of war regardless."
Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt said the airstrike could cause "a huge potential escalation" of the conflict, of which "the consequences are unknown".
Soleimani's killing follows the New Year's Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The two-day embassy attack, which ended on Wednesday, prompted Mr Trump to order about 750 US troops deployed to the Middle East.
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That siege followed US air strikes on the militia in Iraq and Syria.
On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper warned the US military would pre-emptively strike Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria if there were signs the paramilitary groups were planning more attacks against American bases and personnel in the region.
