US strike in Baghdad kills Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani

General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces, was killed alongside him.

The Pentagon said the operation was carried out at the direct order of President Donald Trump. Washington claims Soleimani was planning attacks on American diplomats and troops in the region.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared three days of mourning and promised "severe revenge". Oil prices rose by more than 3% after the news.

The escalation is of particular concern for Armenia, which borders Iran and maintains close economic ties with it.