A high-ranking Iranian military general has been taken in strike ordered by the US President Donald Trump, the BBC has reported.
General Qasem Soleimani reportedly planned attacks on US interests.
He died on Friday at Baghdad Airport in Iraq alongside members of a militia group.
A statement from the Pentagon confirmed the death of the general.
“General Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” a Pentagon statement said as quoted by the Guardian newspaper.
“This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world," the statement added.
The Iranian supreme leader Ayatolah Khameneyi reacted angrily to reports of the killing of General Qasem Soleimani as he ordered three days of national mourning.
President Hassan Rouhani said the killing would make the Iranians even more determined to fight the influence of the US across the world.
“Soleimani’s martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America’s expansionism and to defend our Islamic values. With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge, " the Iranian president said according to the Guardian report.