President Donald Trump has issued a direct warning to Iran, vowing to launch further military strikes if Tehran retaliates for the assassination of a top general. Speaking from the White House, Trump stated that the United States is prepared to target 52 Iranian sites, some of which he described as of cultural significance. The escalation follows the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, in a drone strike near Baghdad airport.
Tehran has responded with fury, promising severe revenge. International allies, including the UK and France, have called for restraint and de-escalation. The United Nations has urged both sides to step back from the brink of war.
Analysts warn that any new US attack could trigger a broader conflict in the Middle East, with unpredictable consequences for global energy markets and regional stability. The Pentagon has declined to comment on specific targets, but officials have confirmed that additional forces are being deployed to the region. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has declared three days of mourning and vowed that a harsh retaliation awaits those responsible for Soleimani's death.
The crisis has prompted emergency meetings at the UN Security Council. The US has also ordered all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately.
