Qasim Soleimani
The assassination of Qasem Soleimani, Iran's most important and influential military commander, has sparked deep concern around the world.
Tehran has threatened the harshest retaliation.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said "terrible revenge is waiting for the perpetrators."
"Iran and the United States are waiting for a strong response," Brigadier General Ramzan Sharif, a spokesman for Iran's military (Islamic Revolutionary Guards or IRGC), said in a statement.
Qasim Soleimani was the main culprit behind Iran's continued military and political influence outside the country.
In countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, pro-Tehran Shiite militia groups that have now become powerful were the epitome.
As a result, the Iranian general has long been the number one target of the United States and Israel.
