The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani occurred through a U.S. drone strike on January 3, 2020, near Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani was the commander of the Quds Force, part of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Iran, responsible for orchestrating military and political operations across the Middle East. The strike was carried out following President Donald Trump's directive, amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, sparked by various incidents, including protests at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad in late 2019.

The airstrike eliminated Soleimani along with several other high-ranking officials from Iran-backed militia groups. This decisive action was framed by the Trump administration as a necessary step to deter further planned attacks on American personnel and facilities in the region. It marked a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran relations, stirring immediate responses from Iranian leaders and threatening retaliation against U.S. interests in Iraq and beyond. Following his death, Iran vowed to avenge Soleimani, leading to fears of military retaliation that could ignite broader conflicts in the region.

In the days following the strike, social media exploded with reactions, and widespread protests took place in Iran. The event heightened the already precarious relationship between the U.S. and Iran, with the potential for escalation into a direct military conflict looming large. Various nations around the globe expressed concern over the implications of U.S. actions and the broader unrest that would follow in the Middle East.