Why it matters: The drone strike that resulted in Soleimani's death is the most direct confrontation from the U.S. since the Trump administration pulled out of the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. Iran has vowed to take revenge, according to IRNA.
- Experts including Ryan Goodman, the former special counsel at the Department of Defense, have pointed out that attacking cultural sites is a war crime.
- Trump has faced criticism over the strike that killed Soleimani from some world leaders and members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The big picture: The body of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani has arrived back in Iran, as President Trump issued fresh threats against Iran over Saturday night.
- A funeral procession began in Ahvaz Sunday for Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis after their bodies in the southern Iranian city, a senior Iraqi-Iranian militia commander who also died in the U.S. strike in Iraq Friday, per the official IRNA, which reports their bodies will be transferred to other cities in Iran, including Tehran.
- Iraqi officials and Iranian-backed militias reported another deadly airstrike in Iraq 24 hours after the U.S. killed Soleimani, AP reports. It left five dead, as thousands gathered in Baghdad Saturday to mourn Soleimani and al-Muhandis.
- On Saturday, several rockets fell inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, the Jadriya neighborhood and the Balad airbase housing U.S. troops, but there were no reported deaths, the Iraqi military said, per Al Jazeera.
- Iraq's parliament is holding an emergency session Sunday, Reuters reports.
- NATO has suspended training missions in Iraq after Soleimani's death, citing security concerns, the Washington Post reports.
The decision to strike: U.S. officials say they acted following the death of an American contractor the Friday before Christmas in Iraq by Iranian-sponsored militia groups. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed Soleimani was "actively" planning an attack on Americans, the Washington Post reports.
Global reaction:
- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who formally resigned a month ago, said the attack will lead to a "dangerous escalation," NPR reports.
- Russia condemned the attack and blasted the Trump administration for refusing to use official channels, such as turning to the UN Security Council following protests at American embassies in Iraq, per NPR.
- U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the Royal Navy was escorting British-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf and that under international law, "the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to its citizens."
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the U.S. and said, "Qassim Soleimani is responsible for the deaths of many American citizens and many other innocent people," the BBC reports.
- China appealed for restraint on all sides, but added, "The dangerous [U.S.] military operation violates the basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence," per Al Jazeera.
What to watch: Iran is "likely" to launch a cyberattack against the U.S. following the death of Soleimani, AP reports.
- The disruptions could target American manufacturing facilities, oil and gas plants and transit systems. U.S. cybersecurity officials warn businesses and government agencies to be cautious, per AP.
What's next: The White House is preparing to present partners and allies with intelligence on the "imminent threat" it says prompted this attack, said Kirsten Fontenrose, who served on the National Security Council earlier in the Trump administration, during an Atlantic Council conference call.
- The administration is sending more U.S. troops to the region, with roughly 3,500 troops in Fort Bragg, N.C. preparing to go to Kuwait.
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Editor's note: This article has been updated with comments by Trump, Pelosi and Wallace.