RED ALERT
Iran vows to hit 35 US targets and unfurls red flag of WAR as America says it expects retaliation ‘within weeks’
IRAN today pinpointed 35 "key US targets" for revenge after its top general was assassinated - with America expecting retaliation "within weeks".
Hours later, rockets were fired near the US Embassy in Baghdad and at an airbase housing American troops, according to reports.
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The two attacks came just hours after mourners chanted "death to America" at the funeral of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
A retaliation attack from Iran could be seen "within weeks" either at home or abroad, a senior congressional staffer told Time Magazine.
The staffer said: 'There is no indication that there is going to be a de-escalation in the near future.
"The only question is how bad is the retaliation going to be and where and what is it going to hit."
Tonight, Lebanon's Hezbollah told Iraqi soldiers to leave US bases.
The Islamic political and militant group also warned Iraqi soldiers to stay at least 1,000 meters away from American military bases from Sunday onwards.
There are not believed to be any injuries after the rockets fell at the embassy compound - in the Iraqi capital's green zone - and near Iraq's Balad airbase.
Missiles also rained down on Baghdad's Jadriya neighbourhood - wounding five people, police said.
The chilling flag display is seen as a clear warning the Islamic Republic is ready to fulfil its worrying pledge to strike back at America and Donald Trump.
Chillingly written across the "war flag" were the words: "Those who want to avenge the blood of Hussein".
Red flags in Shiite tradition symbolise both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain.
It was hoisted above the important Jamkaran Mosque which is on the outskirts of the holy city of Qom, about 100 miles south of Tehran.
It took to the skies as General Qasem Soleimani's daughter pleaded with the Iranian president to strike back over her father's death.
US SHIPS ON IRAN HIT LIST
“Who is going to avenge my father’s blood?” she was reported as asking Hassan Rouhani during his visit to the family's Tehran home.
“We will avenge, all of us will avenge his blood. Don’t you worry,” Mr Rouhani replied, according to Iraqi Kurdistan news site Rudaw.
The news came as an Iranian military leader said his forces had pinpointed dozens of US interests for attack including “destroyers and warships” near the Persian Gulf and Tel Aviv.
General Gholamali Abuhamzeh warned of a possible attack on “vital American targets” located in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation of Soleimani’s death.
“Vital American targets in the region have been identified by Iran since long time ago ... some 35 US targets in the region, as well as Tel Aviv, are within our reach," he said.
NATO has now suspended training of Iraqi security and armed forces in the region sparking more fears a full-scale conflict is imminent.
"The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount," acting NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement.
"We continue to take all precautions necessary. NATO's mission is continuing, but training activities are temporarily suspended."
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Earlier tens of thousands of mourners chanting 'death to America' mobbed a funeral procession for the powerful general and other militia killed in the US airstrike later branded an 'act of war' by Tehran.
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.
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Moment Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is ‘torn to shreds’ by US Reaper drone moments after he landed in Baghdad
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