President Trump tweeted a defense on Friday of his decision to call for the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, saying he "should have been taken out many years ago."
"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!" Trump tweeted Friday morning. "He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"
Gen. Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and a longtime enemy of the U.S.
? Go further:
- CCTV video shows moment U.S. airstrike took out Iran's top general
- Iran vows "severe revenge" against U.S. for killing of top general
- In addition to Gen. Soleimani, U.S. strike killed another general, colonel, major, and captain in Revolutionary Guard: Iran state TV
- Pompeo: Killing Iranian general saved "dozens, if not hundreds" of U.S. lives from "imminent" attacks
- State Department tells U.S. citizens to leave Iraq immediately
- New York, Los Angeles increase security in wake of Iran threat
- 2020 Democrats slam Trump for killing Iran's top general
