AIRSTRIKES approved by President Donald Trump killed Iran's top General Qasem Soleimani while he was in Iraq - causing tensions to reach boiling point.
But why did Donald Trump kill Soleimani?
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Why did Donald Trump kill Iran's general Qasem Soleimani?
Donald Trump wanted to kill Iran's general Qasem Soleimani because he claims Soleimani had killed or wounded thousands of Americans - and was "plotting to kill many more."
Soleimani, 62, spearheaded Iran's military operations in the Middle East as head of the country's elite Quds Force.
He joined the Revolutionary Guards - who have been declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the US - in 1979, taking over as head of the Quds Force in 1998.
In response to the attack, Mr Trump tweeted: "General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!
"He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of protesters killed in Iran itself.
"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country.
"They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe.
"He should have been taken out many years ago!"
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In Friday's attack, Gen Soleimani had landed after travelling from either Syria or Lebanon at around 12.30am when he was met by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization forces in Iraq.
As the cars passed through a cargo area for an access road leading out of the airport, the vehicle was struck by at least two missiles by a US MQ9 Reaper drone which was being controlled remotely.
At least two missiles were fired at the vehicles - killing the general and others on board.
The US airstrike was personally approved by Donald Trump.
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