In Pictures

In Pictures: Iran mourns Qassem Soleimani’s killing

Iran declared three-day national mourning period in honour of the general who was killed in a US air attack.

Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani during an anti-US demonstra — Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran after Friday prayers to mourn the death of Qassem Soleimani. [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]

Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to mourn the death of General Qassem Soleimani who was the head of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid tribute to him and called him a “martyr” before promising “harsh revenge”.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani echoed the threat of revenge and promised that there will be consequences. Foreign Affairs Minister Javad Zarif condemned the killing as an “act of state terrorism”.

IRGC officials, religious leaders, ministers, members of parliament, and the business community reacted in unison and hailed the commander as a fallen hero.

The White House and Pentagon said the attack on Soleimani was carried out with the aim of deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.

The Pentagon said Trump had ordered Soleimani’s “killing” after pro-Iran protesters this week stormed the US embassy in Baghdad.

Demonstrators react during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who were k — Demonstrators react during a protest against the assassination Soleimani who was killed in Baghdad. [Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency/Reuters]

Iranian worshippers react during Friday prayers against the assassination of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis — Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei announced three days of national mourning. [Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency/Reuters]

A demonstrator holds the picture of Qassem Soleimani during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander — A demonstrator holds Soleimani's picture during a demonstration against his assassination. [Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency/Reuters]

Demonstrators attend a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who were killed — Khamenei paid tribute to Soleimani, calling him a 'martyr' and promised a 'harsh revenge'.[Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency/Reuters]

epa08099892 Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani during an anti- — Iran has promised retaliation for the US air raid at Baghdad International Airport that killed Tehran's top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing. [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]

epa08099936 A man wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani takes part in an anti-US demonstratio — A man wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Soleimani takes part in an anti-US demonstration.[Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]

epa08099928 Iranian women take to the streets to mourn the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani during an anti-US demon — Soleimani was the most popular political figure in Iran, according to several local and external polls. [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]

epa08099933 A person as holds a picture showing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) greeting Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force — A person holds a picture showing Khamenei, right, greeting Soleimani. [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]