Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" after President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE directed an airstrike that killed one of Iran's top generals, Qassem Soleimani.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that a “harsh retaliation is waiting” for the U.S. following the Baghdad airstrike, The Associated Press reported Friday.

Khamenei also named Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani to replace Soleimani as the leader of the Quds Force, according to the AP.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif previously called the U.S. move "extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation" in a tweet.

“The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism,” he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Trump's foreign policy successes confound his detractors It's time for a Jackson-Vanik Amendment for China MORE, however, has said the strike was conducted in response to "imminent threats to American lives."

Their comments follow a Thursday Pentagon statement confirming that Soleimani had been killed.



"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon said. "The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

Soleimani was killed at Baghdad International Airport, as was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed Iraqi militia the Popular Mobilization Forces, Iraqi state TV first reported Thursday.