On Jan. 3, a United States drone launched a missile attack, killing top Iranian general Qasem Soleiman. The assasination was justified by  U.S. intelligence sources for Soleiman continually supporting and funding terrorist operations. Soleiman was the leader of Iran’s Quds Force, the military organization responsible for Iran’s overseas operations. The Pentagon has claimed that Soleiman’s Quds Force, among other things, helped plan assassinations of US ambassadors and provided special armor penetrating bombs to insurgents. The United States Defense Department justified the attack by saying Soleiman was “actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.” 

The assasination caused outrage in Iran. Soleiman was a popular leader who many Iranians admired for his role in defeating Iraq in the 1980’s and for his choice to stand up to United States aggression. While in service to the Iranian military, he stayed above factional conflicts and remained popular on all sides. 

In response Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at United States military bases in the region. Although no military personnel were killed, the United States Army had reported 64 traumatic brain injuries as a result of the attack. Traumatic brain injuries include a wide range of injuries including concussions.

This unrest has led to fear in the United States, with #WW3 trending on Twitter as a result. Currently, however, both sides seem to have backed down from hostilities. 

The attacks led to Iran heightening their militaries alertness. This led to the downing of a Ukranian airliner by Iranian Anti-Air defenses. The missle killed all 176 people on board. The Iranian government initially denied allegations that their missile downed the airliner. However after internal and international pressure the Iranian government acknowledged shooting down the airliner.  

The crisis has passed; however, relations have still remained tense between the historic rivals.