Qasem Soleimani was killed on 3rd January 2020 by the US forces, through a missile strike fired from an American drone, near Baghdad International Airport.
He was on a major general rank in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the commander of the Quds Force from 1998 until his death. He was also killed with four members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (MPF).
It was a high-risk attack there may be more to it. The US may be trying to disrupt Iran, which seemed to be planning for something bigger.
The killing of Qasem Soleimani is considered the most serious event since 9/11.
With US-Iran situations already at the boiling point. This seems the last stage before the start of a formal war. The situation needs to be de-escalated before it is too late. There must be long term consequences, but some of the short terms consequence are below:
Iran is likely to retaliate through both traditional attacks and cyberattacks. It is time for a direct confrontation, but before that, there would be a chain of actions.
More instability in the region means oil price hike, more jobs for the US security firms, more arms sales for the US and allies to KSA, UAE etc.
Well those who think Soleimani death could cause catastrophic consequences, they may be wrong.
The US, Israel and other Arab nations had already tried to kill him. He had been rumoured killed several times. He was escaped from the 2012 bombing in Damascus which killed top aides of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In November 2015, it was rumoured that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded while leading an attack around Syria’s Aleppo.
I think there would be some consequences, but it would not make Iran that mad to take any irrational steps or direct confrontation with the US.
Heightened cybersecurity alert in U.S. + countries perceived as U.S. allies
See links to three key insights here:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chiararustici_irans-retaliation-could-be-hacking-not-activity-6619284999411650560-mSxY
It is highly unpredictable what Iran would do in this situation. However, Iran can follow multiprong tactics to neutralise the US agenda through:
Trump should be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He is the president of the US, not Iraq or Iran. He is turning to be a warmonger like Bush, Clinton and Obama.
Trump properties may become a target for Qasem Soleimani revenge. Trump business can be affected as far as the threat remains real. His properties outside the US have now become more vulnerable.
The direct war would not be in the Iranian favour.
Stock prices of defence companies rose substantially, with the biggest jumps seen by Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. They have a great interest in supplying arms to the Middle East.