Iran: Dozens Killed in Stampede at Terrorist Soleimani's Funeral Ceremony
At Least 35 mourners dead at burial ceremony of top Iranian terror leader
© press
At least 35 mourners have been killed in Iran during a stampede at the funeral ceremony of terrorist Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iranian state TV is reporting.
Dozens have been reported dead as thousands of people have taken to the streets for the burial procession of the top general.
Terror group leader Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad airport on Friday after being held responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans.
Another 48 people have been left injured by the stampede in the general's hometown Kerman, where his body is due to be buried in a "martyrs' cemetery."
As the ceremony is taking place, a top Iranian security official reportedly said Tehran is considering "13 revenge scenarios" in response to the death of the terrorist, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani, said: "The Americans should know that until now 13 revenge scenarios have been discussed in the council and even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans."
© press
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official has said the country is "ready to come back to full compliance" in the nuclear agreement it has with a group of world powers.
Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi did not provide any information on possible conditions.
Although President Donald Trump has defended the US attack, the US-led coalition is scaling back its operations in Baghdad.
American soldiers are set to be "repositioned" after Iraq's parliament called for all 5,000 US troops to leave the country - and a letter seen by Reuters suggests the US will move its forces over the "coming days and weeks."
However, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said there had been "no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq."
Sky News correspondent Mark Stone said: "We understand around 1,100 forces in the green zone in Baghdad will be thinned out by a half or so.
"Some will be relocated within in Iraq, others in Kuwait.
"The plan we're told is that at some stage they will come back.
"The rest of the coalition forces in Iraq will remain."
Reuters says the letter is from William H Seely III, the American commander of Task Force Iraq.
However, top US general Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the letter has been misinterpreted.
He said it was poorly worded and incorrectly implied withdrawal when it was only meant to draw attention to increased troop movements.
The leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard has threatened to "set ablaze" places supported by the US over the killing of Soleimani.
Hossein Salami made the pledge before thousands gathered in a central square in Kerman on Tuesday.
He said Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran's enemies as a martyr, including to the country's longtime regional enemy Israel.
Mr. Salami said: "We will take revenge. We will set ablaze where they like."
His words drew cries of "death to Israel."
Mr. Salami's vow mirrored the demands of top Iranian officials such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as supporters across the Islamic Republic, who are demanding retaliation against the US for the killing.
Police said millions of people lined the streets of the Iranian capital Tehran as terror leader Soleimani's coffin was paraded through the city on Monday.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wept during prayers for the general - and the commander's daughter warned that the US and Israel faced a "dark day."
President Donald Trump's order to strike #Iran's elite Quds Force, Gen. Qasem #Soleimani last week has been defended by the United Kingdom
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) January 5, 2020
READ MORE https://t.co/GA08kTAFB4
The outpouring of grief was an unprecedented honor for a man who was regarded by many as the second-most powerful person in Iran.
General Soleimani was the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Forces, a designated terrorist group.
The international chapter of the IRGC is tasked with expanding Iranian imperialism throughout the world by plotting terror attacks.
The group greatly expanded its reach in neighboring countries like Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon under Soleimani, and it is believed to have built up hundreds of terrorist networks in Latin America.
Soleimani was held responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans.
President Trump ordered last week's strike on the general after the death of an American contractor in Iraq.
Trump has hit back at Iran's vow of "severe revenge" by warning that the US military has identified 52 Iranian sites, including some of cultural significance.
US officials are bracing for Iran to respond to the killing of Soleimani, noting heightened military readiness in the country and preparing for a possible "tit-for-tat" attempt on the life of an American military commander.
While officials say American intelligence isn't clear on whether Iran's latest military moves are designed to bolster Tehran's defenses or prepare for an offensive strike, the US is continuing to reinforce its own positions in the region, including repositioning some forces.
One official said the US anticipated a "major" attack of some type within the next day or two.
© press
Britain has reduced staff at its embassies in Iran and Iraq to a minimum level as a precaution.
The UK's ambassadors are believed to be staying put.
On Sunday, the United Kingdom said the United States is “entitled to defend itself” against Iranian aggression while deploying the Royal Navy to the Persian Gulf.
The UK has also deployed the warships to the Strait of Hormuz, to protect British shipping vessels from strikes from Iran.
Iran has said it will no longer abide by restrictions on its uranium enrichment.
Germany's government has said it is moving some of its military personnel from Iraq to neighboring countries over the security concerns.
Around 30 of the 120 German soldiers in the country, who mainly train Iraqi security forces, will be redeployed to Jordan and Kuwait.
