Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Tagar #WWIII dan kata kunci World War 3 menjadi trending di jagat Twitter Indonesia. Perang dunia ketiga ramai dibicarakan warganet tak lama setelah Mayor Jenderal Qasem Soleimani, yang merupakan perwira militer senior Iran , dilaporkan tewas dalam serangan udara Amerika Serikat . Sejauh ini #WWIII telah dicuitkan sebanyak 495 ribu kali, sementara kata kunci 'World War 3' telah dicuitkan sebanyak 2,06 juta. Alih-alih serius membicarakan perang, warganet justru bersenda gurau dengan isu perang ini. [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter] Beberapa warganet juga menyalahkan pemerintah AS yang 'membunuh' Soleimani. Bahkan PM Boris Johnson juga masuk dalam kicauan kocak warganet. [Gambas:Twitter]
Warganet juga ada yang membagikan cuitan lawas Presiden Donald Trump pada 2011 yang mengatakan agar Barack Obama akan berperang dengan Iran agar bisa terpilih kembali. Akun @adeyinks 11 bahkan menuding Trump memantik perang dengan Iran untuk menghentikan pemakzulan Trump. [Gambas:Video CNN] [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter] Akun @Qwarmie_ bahkan mengatakan penggemar klub bola Manchester United, Chelse, Mancherster City dan Barcelona akan bergembira dengan adanya Perang Dunia Ketiga. Pasalnya Perang Dunia Ketiga akan mencegah Liverpool untuk menjuarai kompetisi Premier League. [Gambas:Twitter] Banyak dari warganet yang justru mencuitkan hal-hal lucu apabila dirinya terkena wajib militer. [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter] [Gambas:Twitter]
Indeks Harga Saham gabungan (IHSG) mengawali perdagangan terakhir di pekan ini, Jumat (3/1/2020), di zona hijau.Pada pembukaan perdagangan, IHSG menguat 0,36% ke level 6.306,19. Pada penutupan perdagangan, apresiasi indeks saham acuan di Indonesia tersebut telah bertambah lebar menjadi 0,64% ke level 6.323,47.Dengan apresiasi pada hari ini, maka IHSG resmi memutus rantai pelemahan yang sudah terjadi selama dua hari beruntun.Walaupun IHSG menguat, patut dicatat bahwa perdagangan di pasar saham tanah air pada hari ini berlangsung dengan sangat sepi. Melansir data RTI, volume transaksi pada hari ini hanyalah sebanyak 8,04 miliar unit saham.Padahal menurut data dari Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI), rata-rata volume transaksi harian di sepanjang tahun 2019 mencapai 14,54 miliar unit saham.Secara nilainya, jumlah dana yang berputar di pasar saham Indonesia pada hari ini hanyalah Rp 5,74 triliun, jauh di bawah rata-rata nilai transaksi harian di sepanjang tahun 2019 yang mencapai Rp 9,11 triliun.Saham-saham yang berkontribusi signifikan dalam mendongkrak kinerja IHSG pada hari ini di antaranya: PT Bank Central Asia Tbk/BBCA (+1,64%), PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk/TLKM (+1,79%), PT HM Sampoerna Tbk/HMSP (+2,39%), PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk/CPIN (+4,94%), dan PT Astra International Tbk/ASII (+1,09%).Kinerja IHSG pada hari ini berbanding terbalik dengan mayoritas bursa saham utama kawasan Asia yang justru bergerak di zona merah: indeks Shanghai turun 0,05%, indeks Hang Seng melemah 0,32%, dan indeks Straits Times terkoreksi 0,5%. Untuk diketahui, perdagangan di bursa saham Jepang diliburkan pada hari ini.Bursa saham Benua Kuning melemah selepas pasar saham AS alias Wall Street mencetak rekor pada perdagangan kemarin, Kamis (2/1/2019). Pada penutupan perdagangan kemarin, indeks Dow Jones naik 1,16%, indeks S&P 500 menguat 0,84%, dan indeks Nasdaq Composite terapresiasi 1,33%. Ketiga indeks saham acuan di AS tersebut ditutup di level tertinggi sepanjang masa.Wall Street masih menunjukkan performa yang kuat pasca sudah meroket di tahun 2019. Di sepanjang tahun lalu, indeks Dow Jones naik 22,3%, indeks S&P 500 menguat 28,9%, dan indeks Nasdaq Composite terapresiasi lebih dari 35%.Tingginya ekspektasi bahwa AS dan China akan segera meneken kesepakatan dagang tahap satu menjadi faktor yang memantik aksi beli di bursa saham AS. Menjelang tahun baru kemarin, Presiden AS Donald Trump mengungkapkan bahwa kesepakatan dagang tahap satu dengan China akan diteken di Gedung Putih pada tanggal 15 Januari.Hal tersebut diumumkan oleh Trump melalui akun Twitter pribadinya, @realDonaldTrump. Menurut Trump, pejabat tingkat tinggi dari China akan menghadiri penandatanganan kesepakatan dagang tahap satu. Kemudian, Trump juga mengungkapkan bahwa nantinya dirinya akan bertandang ke Beijing guna memulai negosiasi terkait kesepakatan dagang tahap dua.
Seperti yang diketahui, sebelumnya AS dan China mengumumkan bahwa mereka telah berhasil mencapai kesepakatan dagang tahap satu. Dengan adanya kesepakatan dagang tahap satu tersebut, Trump membatalkan rencana untuk mengenakan bea masuk tambahan terhadap produk impor asal China pada tanggal 15 Desember. Untuk diketahui, nilai produk impor asal China yang akan terdampak oleh kebijakan ini sejatinya mencapai US$ 160 miliar.Tak sampai di situ, Trump mengatakan bahwa bea masuk sebesar 15% terhadap produk impor asal China senilai US$ 120 miliar nantinya akan dipangkas menjadi 7,5% saja sebagai bagian dari kesepakatan dagang tahap satu. Di sisi lain, China membatalkan rencana untuk mengenakan bea masuk balasan yang disiapkan guna membalas bea masuk dari AS pada tanggal 15 Desember.Masih sebagai bagian dari kesepakatan dagang tahap satu, China akan meningkatkan pembelian produk agrikultur asal AS secara signifikan. Trump menyebut bahwa China akan segera memulai pembelian produk agrikultur asal AS yang jika ditotal akan mencapai US$ 50 miliar.Lebih lanjut, kesepakatan dagang tahap satu AS-China juga mengatur mengenai komplain dari AS terkait pencurian hak kekayaan intelektual dan transfer teknologi secara paksa yang sering dialami oleh perusahaan-perusahaan asal Negeri Paman Sam.Jika kesepakatan dagang tahap satu benar diteken nantinya, laju perekonomian AS dan China di tahun-tahun mendatang bisa terus dipertahankan di level yang relatif tinggi.Mengingat posisi AS dan China sebagai dua negara dengan nilai perekonomian terbesar di planet bumi, tentu prospek ditekennya kesepakatan dagang yang semakin nyata menjadi kabar yang baik bagi perekonomian dunia.
Mendadak kata kunci Wold War 3 trending topic Twitter pada Jumat 3/12/2020).
Tak diketahui pasti apa yang menyebabkan hal tersebut.
Namun ada dugaan munculnya kata World War 3 kemungkinan terkait serangan militer AS di Bandara Baghdaf, Irak.
Serangan rudal itu menewaskan jenderal top yang merupakan komandan pasukan Quds.
Merunut sejarahnya, perang dunia (world war) I dan II memang mengerikan.
Perang tersebut melibatkan beberapa negara terutama di Eropa.
Perang dunia I melibatkan blok sekutu dan blok sentral.
TIMESBALI, JAKARTA – Tagar World War 3 tiba tiba menjadi trending topics di twitter, Jumat (3/1/2020). Selain itu, tagar WWIII juga menjadi trending teratas.
Ini setelah Kepala Pasukan elite Quds (Quds Force) Iran, Jenderal Qassem Soleimani tewas akibat serangan udara yang dilakukan oleh Amerika Serikat. Qassem adalah pemimpin Quds Force yang merupakan pasukan khusus dari Revolutionary Guards, salah satu pasukan bersenjata Iran.
Seperti dilansir dari suara, frasa World War 3 mencapai dua juta cuitan, sementara WWIII lebih dari 200 ribu. Trending lain yaitu Iran juga memuncaki daftar topik paling banyak dibicarakan di Twitter seluruh dunia.
Soleimani tewas setelah tiga buah roket menghantam Bandara Internasional Baghdad. Kondisi ini memunculkan sebutan perang dunia ketiga karena kondisi yang makin memanas antara Amerika Serikat dan Iran.
Dikutip dari suara yang melansir dari The Times of Israel, Amerika memandang Soleimani adalah musuh yang mematikan sekaligus tokoh paling populer di Iran. Dia juga dianggap sebagai tokoh utama dibalik tersebarnya pengaruh Iran.
"Bagi Syiah Timur Tengah, dia adalah James Bond, Erwin Rommel dan Lady Gaga digabung menjadi satu," tulis mantan analis CIA, Kenneth Pollack, dalam profil untuk 100 orang paling berpengaruh di Time pada 2017 lalu.
Dalam peristiwa serangan udara ini, tak hanya Soleimani yang tewas, namun komandan milisi Irak Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis juga ikut terbunuh.
"AS dan Israel adalah musuh yang bertanggung jawab atas pembunuhan mujahidin Abu Mahdi al Muhandis dan Qassem Soleimani," kata juru bicara kelompok payung Pasukan Mobilisasi Populer, Ahmed al Assadi seperti dikutip dari Reuters .
Sementara itu, Amerika Serikat melalui Pentagon mengklaim bahwa serangan itu untuk menghalangi rencana serangan yang akan dilakukan Iran. (*) Baca Berita Peristiwa dan Politik terbaru di Indonesia dan luar negeri lainnya hanya di TIMES Indonesia .
A famous quote from Albert Einstein says, “I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones,” dating back to the 1940s when the first nuclear weapons were being developed. Although the famed physicist didn’t actually develop the atomic bomb, he was well aware of how nuclear weapons could affect the world.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump’s vow to hit Iran and make it ‘pay a very big price’ comes after the fiasco of the attack on 6,000 demonstrators at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. In an equally brutal retaliation, Trump ordered an airstrike that killed top Iranian general Qassim Suleimani in Baghdad. If not anything, the counter-strike is an unveiled threat to unleash America’s most potent weapons of mass destruction onto the Middle Eastern country and has erupted scares of World War III across the globe.
SEE ALSO: US Airstrike Kills Top Iranian Commander, Twitter Reacts With World War 3 Jokes
Considering how close Iran is to developing its own weapon of mass destruction, it won’t even take an educated guess to predict that the next World War, if it does happen between these two countries, will be fought with nuclear weapons. Reportedly, most U.S. weapons are 10 to 50 times stronger than the bombs that brought Hiroshima to a standstill. So, you can just imagine how such a strategic nuclear war would impact the Earth, posing an existential threat to humanity regardless of the scale of its severity.
Take, for example, a relatively new research that models the indirect effects of nuclear detonations on the environment and climate in case of a limited regional nuclear war between India and Pakistan. The combines arsenals of both the nations equal to more than 220 nuclear warheads. Such an event will cause fires to ignite over a large area which would inject large volumes of soot and debris into the stratosphere. This would thus block out the sun and cause a significant drop in average surface temperature and precipitation across the globe, with effects that could last for more than a decade.
SEE ALSO: Researchers Say A Nuclear War Between India And Pakistan Might Kill 125 Million People
According to this particularly convincing report, a bomb can now be manufactured which will be 2,500 times as powerful as the one that destroyed Hiroshima. Such a bomb, if exploded near the ground or under water, could send radioactive particles into the upper air. They would sink gradually and reach the surface of the earth in the form of deadly dust or rain. It was this dust which infected the Japanese fishermen and their catch of fish. No one knows how widely such lethal radioactive particles might be diffused, but the best authorities are unanimous in saying that a war with H-bombs might possibly put an end to the human race.
The culture of war mongering that’s especially endorsed by major world leaders like Trump off late is scary. One just cannot overlook their attitude on the idea of a nuclear war as a dramatic rhetoric of global humanitarian disaster because this a more plausible scenario now than ever, given the time we stand in. Nuclear war is also a war on the environment and its indirect repercussions are to be borne by the generations to come and also the geological space around us. It’s about time authorities realize the gravity of the situation and put our planet before any international conflict.
SEE ALSO: Climate Change Models Have Been Kicking Ass Since The 1970s
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Just three days into 2020, social media users were greeted with alarming Twitter trends including "World War III".
The trend was sparked after the Iranian leader’s second in command, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US airstrike ordered by US President Donald Trump.
After news of his death emerged, Iran's leader Ayatollah Khomeinei promised "harsh vengeance" in response to the attack, prompting speculation about what might happen next.
It also prompted Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to warn that "conflict" was in "none of our interests" . Donald Trump later responded to threats of retaliation by saying: "Iran never won a war."
The series of events, which come amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, prompted a huge spike in search in the UK for "World War 3".
Several people drew parallels with the death of Franz Ferdinand who was shot dead in Sarajevo, Bosnia, before the outbreak of World War One.
There were also plenty of mentions of Mr Trump. Meanwhile, the term "Iran" was among the top searched on Google in the US as people speculated whether their threats of revenge would result in further violence between the two countries.
Here's a guide as to what was trending and why.
Who is Qasem Soleimani?
Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, General Soleimani’s popularity and mystique grew out of American officials calling for his killing.
By the time it came a decade-and-a-half later, General Soleimani had become Iran’s most recognisable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.
For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, General Soleimani widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of US pressure.
For the US and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Iran’s proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.
Why was he killed?
Following an attack on the US embassy in Iraq earlier this week, which America has blamed on Iran, the US launched airstrikes.
The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that US forces conducted an airstrike at Baghdad airport to deter "future Iranian attack plans".
Qasem Soleimani was killed by the “defensive action”.
As well as General Soleimani, top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed in the attack.
Will there be a World War Three?
The trend for World War Three began as people drew parallels between the death of General Soleimani and another killing 105 years ago.
In June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, was shot dead by a teenage activist in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
Following the shooting, countries scrambled to take sides and it started off a chain of events which led to World War One.
Foreign issues can be unpredictable, especially with strong characters in leadership positions, but Iran has vowed to retaliate, which has sparked concerns of further mass violence.
Although several people on Twitter speculated about the outbreak of World War Three, the US and Iran are known for their rhetoric, and it is unclear what revenge, if any, will be exacted.
What has Donald Trump said?
Initially the US president simply posted an image of the America Flag.
Following threats of retaliation from Iran, he tweeted: "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!".
Mr Trump did not give any further explanation to his tweet, but he appeared undeterred by the country's threats.
What has the UK said?
Dominic Raab has urged “all parties to de-escalate” after a US airstrike killed Iran’s top general Qasem Soleimani.
The Foreign Secretary, appearing to fear retaliation, said "further conflict is in none of our interests" after Iranian leaders pledged “severe retaliation” to the airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.
How have people in the US and around the world reacted?
Thousands of people have taken to Twitter and posted memes and comments about the escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
Many have joked about the outbreak of World War Three, while others have speculated more seriously about such repercussions.
With Iran proving an alarming threat on the world stage, which countries are considered the most dangerous of all?
Medical and travel security services company International SOS has revealed the top riskiest countries in the world for this year.
Although Iran itself is not high on the list, many of the dangerous countries are in the Middle East, as well as Africa.
International SOS looks at both medical risk and security risk for travel.
“The travel security risk rating evaluates the threat posed to travellers and international assignees by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) as well as violent and petty crime,” explained the company.
“Other factors, such as the robustness of the transport infrastructure, the state of industrial relations, the effectiveness of the security and emergency services and the country’s susceptibility to natural disasters are also considered where they are of sufficient magnitude to impact the overall risk environment for travellers.
As for medical risk: “International SOS assigns travel medical risk ratings by assessing a range of health risks and mitigating factors, including but not limited to: infectious disease burden, environmental factors, medical evacuation data, road trauma data, standard of emergency medical services, outpatient and inpatient medical care, access to quality pharmaceutical supplies, and cultural, language or administrative barriers.”
The following countries are the riskiest destinations for 2020 with a “very high” travel medical risk.
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During the Sixties, the world came close to all-out nuclear war as the US and Soviet Union tussled over ultimate supremacy both on the ground and in space. These tensions reached their peak in October 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, after Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to fulfil Fidel Castro’s request to place nuclear missiles in Cuba. Leading up to the incident, both the US and the USSR continued to develop their nuclear weapons, becoming locked in a dangerous arms race, to create the ultimate weapon of mass destruction.
A letter from Harold Macmillan to John F. Kennedy reveals the former Prime Minister’s worries over the escalation. Dated August 3, 1962, it reads: “Dear my friend, I am increasingly concerned about the immense diffusion of so-called tactical nuclear weapons in NATO Europe. “According to my information there are now many thousands of these weapons, and their total capacity amounts to scores of megatons. “If they were used in action, the scale of destruction would be comparable to that from a strategic strike.
Harold Macmillan sent hte letter to John F Kennedy
The Soviet Union fulfilled Fidel Castro's request
We must demonstrate our will to use strategic nuclear strength harold Macmillan
“The idea that the armies in Europe could fight a tactical battle with nuclear weapons of this destructive power seems to me to be wholly unrealistic. “Conditions in the battle area would be such that anything like a war of movement would be virtually impracticable.” Mr Macmillan then went on to make a chilling suggestion. He added: “Moreover, once these weapons were engaged on this scale, escalation would almost inevitably follow and the strategic strength on either side would begin to be deployed. “I believe that we must take a fresh look at this dangerous situation. JUST IN: President's claim US will ‘take initiative’ in nuclear war escalation revealed
Harold Macmillan was close with JFK
“It seems to me that there would be great advantage if we could work towards the concept of a tactical nuclear command directly under Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SAUCER). “It would mean that, instead of preparing to fight a tactical battle with nuclear weapons, we were aiming to make such discriminatory use of those weapons as might be necessary to demonstrate our will to use our strategic nuclear strength if fighting continued." Mr Macmillan then asked whether JFK could keep their conversations private. He continued: “I am convinced that on this point the current NATO strategy is misconceived and I believe that, in the months ahead, we shall try to get it modified along the general lines which I have indicated. DON'T MISS
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Location of Soviet ballistic missiles
The Cuban Missile Crisis lasted 13 days
“it would be helpful to me if I could have your thoughts on this and I should be greatly relieved if I could feel that we could move forward together, as soon as circumstances allow. “I have given you this frank indication on this problem – much as you did the other day in your message to me of July 27 on nuclear tests. “The delicacy of this question, especially with the Germans and French, makes it important that we should keep this matter between ourselves until we have jointly decided what course to pursue.” But, on October 16, tensions skyrocketed after Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to fulfil Fidel Castro’s request to place nuclear missiles on the Caribbean island of Cuba.
WW3 flashpoints
Trending
Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Gen Soleimani, was also killed in the attack that was authorised by US President Donald Trump. Their convoy was destroyed in a pinpoint attack by US forces as it drove towards the airport. Get Soleimani's killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional "shadow war" between Iran and the United States and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could quickly ratchet up tit-for-tat attacks. The attack is expected to draw severe Iranian retaliation against Israel and American interests after its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed harsh revenge. BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump TAUNTS Iran after deadly US airstrike - 'Never won a war' SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES
US airstrikes LIVE: Updates as fears of World War 3 erupt after Trump orders brutal attack
4.53pm update: ‘Soleimani was plotting coup in Iraq’ - US Senator Marco Rubio has defended Donald Trump’s decision to kill Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, claiming the military leader had been attempting to take control of Iraq and use it as a platform to attack the US. The US Senator wrote on Twitter, without citing sources: "At the direction of Iran's Supreme Leader, Soleimani was plotting a coup in Iraq. "He was corrupting/threatening politicians, exploiting Iraq's resources & bringing a large military force loyal to him, in an effort to make Iraq a platform to attack the U.S. & our allies." 4.45pm update: Saudi Arabia urges self-restraint over US strike Saudi Arabia has called for self-restraint to prevent further escalation after the US strike in Baghdad, an official source told state television. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a statement affirming the international community must fulfil its responsibilities to ensure the security of the region. 4.10pm update: Another airline suspends flights to and from Baghdad Bahrain’s Gulf Air has suspended flights to and from Baghdad and Najaf until further notice. The airline said in a tweet: “Flights to and from Baghdad and Najaf in the Republic of Iraq have suspended until further notice due to safety and security issues.” 3.47pm update: Iran's top security body warns US it will 'not easily escape its consequences’ The Supreme National Security Council has warned the US it will be held accountable for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, adding Washington's actions is the worst mistake in the region. The statement carried by Iranian media said: "The U.S. regime will be responsible for the consequences of this criminal adventurism. "This was the biggest US strategic blunder in the West Asia region, and America will not easily escape its consequences."
3.42pm update: Macron urges Iran to refrain from any provocation French President Emmanuel Macron has said Iran should refrain from any provocation. He also said in a statement that he has held talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the current situation in Iraq. 3.34pm update: Trump continues Twitter attack on Iran - 'It will never end well!' US President Donald Trump also tweeted: "The United States has paid Iraq Billions of Dollars a year, for many years. That is on top of all else we have done for them. "The people of Iraq don't want to be dominated & controlled by Iran, but ultimately, that is their choice. "Over the last 15 years, Iran has gained more and more control over Iraq, and the people of Iraq are not happy with that. It will never end well!” 3.23pm update: UN Secretary General warns 'world cannot afford another war in the Gulf' Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" by the recent rise in tensions in the Middle East following the killing of Qassam Soleimani by the US. Spokesman Farhan Huq said in a statement: "The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation. "This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf."
Emmanuel Macron has held takjs with Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Iraq
3.18pm update: Mexico President refuses to comment on killing of Iranian commander Manuel Lopez Obrador has said he ill not comment on the US air strike in Baghdad that killed Qassem Soleimani. He said in his daily news confernece: "I won't go into that. “That's to do with foreign politics.” 3.14pm update: Airline suspends flights to Baghdad's international airport Royal Jordanian Airlines has suspended flights to Baghdad's international airport until further notice. The state carrier, which has eighteen scheduled flights every week to Baghdad, said its flights to other cities in Iraq were not affected and are operating normally. 3.07pm update: Oil prices jump further and lead to concerns over crude supplies Oil prices have now surged more than $3 following the US air strike in Baghdad ordered by Donald Trump that killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani. Brent crude rose to a peak of $69.50 per barrel - it's highest since mid-September when Saudi oil facilities came under attack - and was up 3,7 percent or $2.43 per barrel by 2.45pm at $6868. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $2.17 or 3.5 percent at $63.35 a barrel, having earlier spiked to $64.09 a barrel, its highest since April 2019.
Donald Trump tweeted 'Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans'
Paul Withers taking over live reporting from Simon Osborne. 2.44pm update: Israel closes Golan Heights ski resort amid soaring tensions Israel has closed the Mount Hermon ski resort in the disputed Golan Heights which borders Syria and Lebanon amid soaring tensions. Militiamen from the Iran-backed Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah are deployed just the other side of the armistice line. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cut short a foreign visit while defence Minister Naftali Bennett chaired a meeting of security chiefs, including the heads of the army, the National Security Council and the Mossad intelligence agency. 2.04pm update: Defiant Trump says Soleimani “should have been taken out years ago” Donald Trump has defended his decision to order the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and said he “should have been taken out years ago”. Writing on Twitter, Mr Trump said: "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! "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!" 1.34pm update: Iraq's Speaker condemns US attack Iraq's Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi has condemned the US air strike in Baghdad as a breach of sovereignty. Mr al-Halbousi said: ”Yesterday's targeting of a military commander in Iraq's armed forces near Baghdad international airport is a flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements. “Iraq must avoid becoming a battlefield or a side in any regional or international conflict.”
General Qassem Soleimani was killed when his convoy was hit by a US airstrike near Baghdad airport
1.19pm update: Pompeo said deadly airstrike was "intelligence led" US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander aimed to disrupt an "imminent attack" that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East. Mr Pompeo said "an intelligence based assessment" was behind the decision to target Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force. He said: “He was actively plotting in the region to take actions - a big action as he described it - that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk. We know it was imminent. “These were threats that were located in the region. Last night was the time that we needed to strike to make sure that this imminent attack was disrupted." Mr Pompeo insisted the US was committed to de-escalation with Iran but would defend itself and said the US had fortified its assets in the region and was prepared for any possible retaliation, including a cyberattack. 12.03pm update: Netanyahu praises Trump for "decisive action" Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed Donald Trump’s decision to launch the airstrike that killed powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. In a statement issued by his office, Mr Netanyahu said: "Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the US has exactly the same right. “Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks. “Donald Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. “Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defence." 11.25am update: Bolton welcomes killing of Qassem Soleimani Former US national security adviser John Bolton has welcomed the killing of Qassem Soleimani and said he hoped to would be “the first step to regime change in Tehran.” He tweeted: “Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani. “Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. “Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran.”
Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in the pinpoint strike
11.16am update: UN brands Baghdad killings “unlawful” The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing said the targeted airstrikes on Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violated international human rights law. Agnès Callamard said the US would need to prove Iran’s top general and his Iraqi paramilitary adviser constituted an imminent threat to others. She said: “An individual’s past involvement in ‘terrorist’ attacks is not sufficient to make his targeting for killing lawful. “The White House statement fails to mention the other individuals killed alongside Soleiman. Collateral? Probably. Unlawful? Absolutely.” 10.49am update: Corbyn calls on Boris to stand up to Trump over "assassinations" Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told the Government to stand up to the "belligerent actions and rhetoric" from the US after the nation killed Iran's top general. In a statement, Mr Corbyn said: "The US assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance. "The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States. "All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq." READ MORE: World War 3 panic: US airstrike kills top Iranian commander 10.35am update: Hezbollah leader calls for Soleimani's death to be avenged The head of the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has called for the death of Gen Soleimani to be avenged. Hassan Nasrallah said: "Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide. "We will carry a flag on all battlefields and all fronts and we will step up the victories of the axis of resistance with the blessing of his pure blood.”
10.23am update: Raab calls for calm in wake of US airstrike Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called for a calming of tensions from all aggressors after the US killed Iran's top general in an airstrike. General Qassem Soleimani, head of Tehran's elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East, was targeted in a drone strike at Baghdad's international airport. Mr Raab issued a statement saying the Government had "always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led" by the general. He said: ”Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.” 9.59am update: US airstrikes spark fears for safety of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe The husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has expressed concern for her safety and that of her family after a US air strike killed Iran's top general. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual British-Iranian citizen, has been imprisoned in Iran's capital Tehran since 2016 when she was arrested and accused of spying while visiting family. He husband Richard, who has spent the last four years campaigning for her release, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "Things are getting much worse again between the US and Iran, but also between all of us and Iran. “I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they're all really worried."
Protestors burn US and British flags on the streets of Baghdad after last night deadly airstrike
9.52am update: Former minister warns of Middle East escalation Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt has warned the situation in the strife-torn region is "extremely serious". He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the US airstrike could cause "a huge potential escalation" of the conflict, of which "the consequences are unknown". He said it was "very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and diffuse the situation". READ MORE: 'DYNAMITE into a TINDERBOX’ Biden slams Trump over Baghdad airstrikes 9.53am update: British military steps up security across Middle East Britain has increased its security and readiness at military bases in the Middle East after the US killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, according to a report on Sky News. The Ministry of Defence did not immediately comment on the report.
9.44am update: Soleimani “more powerful than Bin Laden or Baghdadi” Britain’s former ambassador to Lebanon said Qassem Soleimani was a much more powerful figure than terror chiefs Osama bin Laden or Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi who also died at the hands of US special forces. Tom Fletcher told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Soleimani’s power was growing as it has been really since the US invasion of Iraq. “It is hard to overstate the potential impact of this moment.” Mr Fletcher said Iran had been “goading Washington, goading Donald Trump”. He said: “And of course, we don’t just have erratic leaders at the moment in Tehran, we have an erratic leader in Washington as well.” When asked how Iran could retaliate, Mr Fletcher said: “The strategic response, if they’re feeling rational, is probably to consolidate their position in Iraq. “But elsewhere they have many more dangerous options including assassinations themselves or proxy wars or asymmetric attacks like the ones against the Saudi oil facilities.”
The burning wreckage of a military vehicle in the aftermath of the US airstrike near Baghdad airport
9.20am update: Oil prices soar in wake of Baghdad airstrike Oil prices rose over $2 a barrel and gold and other safe-haven assets also jumped as the US killing of a top Iranian commander in an air strike in Iraq ratcheted up tensions between the two powers. 8.43am update: Iraqi PM warns US strikes will "light the fuse" of war. Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has condemned the US killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and warned the airstrikes that killed them would "light the fuse" of war. US forces killed Gen Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, in a strike on his convoy near Baghdad airport. Al-Muhandis, an adviser to Gen Soleimani, was also killed in the targeted attack. Mr Mahdi said: “The assassination of an Iraqi military commander who holds an official position is considered aggression on Iraq and the liquidation of leading Iraqi figures or those from a brotherly country on Iraqi soil is a massive breach of sovereignty.” 8.22am update: US citizens ordered to leave Iraq US citizens have been ordered to leave Iraq "immediately" after US President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. US Embassy officials have urged citizens to get out of Iraq after the strike which is fears to spark a new war in the Middle East. Iraqi counter-terrorism forces have been deployed to stand guard at the embassy - which just days ago stormed by a mob of anti-US protesters which have been linked to militias backed by Iran. And a slogan in Arabic reading "Death to America" has been spotted painted on a road in Baghdad. US citizens have been urged to leave via flight if possible, but if it is not possible, to travel to other countries via land and go from there.
7.58am update: Iraqi Prime Minister condemns “assassinations” Iraqi Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi has coldemned the US “assassinations” of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani and militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Mr Mahdi said the airstrike on Baghdad airport was an act of aggression on Iraq and breach of its sovereignty that will lead to war in Iraq, the region, and the world. He said the attack also violated the conditions of US military presence in Iraq and should be met with legislation that safeguards Iraq's security and sovereignty. 7.53am update: China urges US restraint after killing of Iranian commander China’s foreign ministry has urged US leaders to remain calm amid growing fears of the outbreak of World War 3. Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China consistently opposes the use of force in international relations. He said Beijing was urging the relevant sides, especially the US, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions and said peace and stability in the Middle East must be upheld. 7.38am update: Syria condemns killing of Iranian military chief Syria has strongly condemned the "treacherous, criminal American aggression" that led to the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani. State news agency SANA cited a foreign ministry source as saying the attack constituted a "serious escalation" and reaffirmed US responsibility for instability in Iraq.
Burning debris on a road near Baghdad International Airport after US airstrikes
7.31am update: Israel braced for retaliation from Iran-backed militia Israel's defence minister has summoned the country's military and security chiefs to Tel Aviv in the wake of the US air strike that killed senior Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Israeli officials have give no immediate public response to the deaths of Soleimani and of Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad. But Israel Army Radio said the military had gone on heightened alert, amid fears that Iran could strike through its regional allies such as Tehran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah to the north, or through Palestinian militant group Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Ron Ben-Yishai, a commentator for Israeli news outlet Ynet, said: "They will wait for the right moment to exact revenge, perhaps by firing into Israeli territory through Shiite militias in Syria and perhaps even from Gaza.” 7.26am update: Iranian general ‘was planning attacks’ US defence chiefs have issued a statement confirming the strike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was carried out at the direction of Donald Trump. The Defence Department said Gen Soleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region". 7.12am update: Biden condemns Trump decision to launch attack US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Donald Trump had "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox" with the targeted killing of Iran's top general in an air strike in Baghdad. The former vice president joined other Democratic White House hopefuls in criticising Mr Trump's order, saying it could leave the US "on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East".
7.05am update: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei brands US ‘devils and villainous’ Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has paid tribute to Iranian general Qassem Suleimani who was killed in the Baghdad drone strike ordered by Donald Trump. The Ayatollah tweeted: “Dear Iranian Nation! Years of sincere, brave efforts fighting against the devils and villainous in the world and yrs of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam, Soleimani, to this lofty status. “His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men.” 6.47am update: Russian MP says Iran's retaliation will be in the "near" future Konstantin Kosachevnd, chair of Russia's Foreign Affairs Committee: Iran response will be in the near future
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6.35am update: Iranian president calls asassination "cowardly" Iranian President Rouhani says "the assassination of Qassem Soleimani is a cowardly act and confirms the weakness of the United States in the region 6.33am update: Iranian President vows revenge Iranian President Rouhani says Iran and "free nations of region" will avenge the killing of Soleimani
Iran news: Qasem Soleimani
6.29am update: Asian stockmarkets fall Asian shares stumble after US air strikes in Iraq 6.27am update: Brent oil prices rise after US attack Brent jumps nearly $3 after US air strike kills Iranian general 6.24am update: Russia issues its first reponse to assassination of Soleimani Russia says the "assassination of Soleimani" will lead to clashes between Iran's allies and Americans in Iraq 6.22am update: Iran's supreme leader issues warning to Trump Iran's Khamenei says anti-US resistance to increase after Soleimani death 6.20am update: Number of deaths rises Death toll in US airstrikes in Baghdad has risen to 12 6.10am update: Airport reopens Baghdad airport reopens for air traffic after killon of Qasem Soleimani 6.08am update: Bernie Sanders describes killing of Soleimani as an "assassination" Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders appears to be the first Democratic candidate to refer to Soleimani's death as an "assassination." 6.05am update: Israel to hold security meeting Israel to hold an emergency security meeting to assess situation following death of Iran's Soleimani
World War 3 panic: Fears of major conflict escalate
5.59am update: Iran's Defence Minister warns of "crushing response" Iran's Defence Minister said the assassination of Qasem Soleimani will receive a "crushing response" 5.53am update: Iranian Foreign Secretary says assassination will boost resistance in region Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the assassination of Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani would strengthen resistance against the United States and Israel in the region and the world. 5.49am update: Iranian supreme leader warns of "harsh retaliation" Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei has warned Trump of "harsh retaliation is waiting." 5.47am update: Dollar falls as fears grow of conflict Dollar slips to nine-week low on safe-haven yen as Mideast tensions flare 5.45am update: Iranian Revoluntionary Guards retaliation threat The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have also threatened violent retaliation against the United States in response to Soleimani's death. 5.32am update: Iran declares three days of mourning The country has confirmed it will going into three days of mourning. Reports suggest Iran will begin this today following the deaths at Baghdad Airport. 5.29am update: Rockets fired at vehicles carrying 'high-profile guests' Sources from the PMF told Al Jazeera that the US rockets which were fired had destroyed two vehicles carrying "high-profile guests", They had arrived at the airpot, escorted by a PMF official. The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal. They burned two vehicles, killing a total of seven people. 5.23am update: Trump's previous warning to Iran Yesterday, Trump ordered the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s alert brigade to deploy to Kuwait with immediate effect, following an attack on the American embassy by supporters of an Iranian backed militia. He warned Iran that it “will pay a very big price” for any damage or loss of life to US citizens in the embassy. Trump said: “This is not a warning, it is a threat.” On Tuesday the US Defence Secretary, Mark Esper, confirmed that 750 paratroopers were already on their way to the Middle East.
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Football star Gary Lineker joked this morning about Donald Trump’s air strike finally stopping Liverpool from winning another game in the Premier League (Picture: Backgrid /Getty)
Gary Lineker has made a controversial joke about World War III after fears of mass conflict were sparked by the US assassination of a top Iranian General.
Qasem Soleimani, head of Tehran’s elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East, was killed in the early hours of Friday morning in a drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump.
The US Defence Department said it targeted Soleimani because he ‘was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region’ and accused him of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.
However, Supreme leader Ali Khamenei has threatened that ‘harsh vengeance awaits’ and the UK government has urged ‘all parties to de-escalate’.
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Sports broadcaster Gary chose to use humour while discussing the events of this morning in a tweet, writing: ‘Seems @realDonaldTrump is the only man who’s worked out how to stop Liverpool winning the Premier League.’
Liverpool’s victory over Sheffield United means they have a place in history as one of a select group of teams to have gone a year unbeaten in the Premier League.
The team has played 37 games without defeat since losing 2-1 to last season’s eventual champions Manchester City on 3 January 2019.
The former footballer’s joke divided people on Twitter (Picture: PECK / BACKGRID)
He implied Trump ordered the air strike to spur World War III and stop Liverpool winning the league (Picture: Gary Lineker/Twitter)
Soleimani spearheaded military operations in the Middle East (Picture: AP)
The implication that the US president ordered the air strike to spur World War III and stop Liverpool winning the league received mixed reactions on social media.
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Some found it amusing, with Tunde Abanson writing: ‘yeah you wish…ain’t nothing is going to stop them’.
A Twitter used called Lef also quipped ‘I’m with Trump in that case’, while someone called Andy B wrote: ‘It’s the only way out mate. The only way. We must make the ultimate sacrifice. Our lives. All of us.
‘The new generation that rises will never know a think [sic] about this season.’
However, others thought the joke – which received more than 16,000 likes in an hour, was made in poor taste.
Someone called Mark wrote ‘This would be funnier if it wasn’t so scary’, while Tom Salter commented saying: Sorry Gary, I think this banter was made in poor taste to be made public.
‘I normally like your banter, but at present, it does look like @realDonaldTrump has lost it, and the unfortunate thing is, is that he could be driving for WW3.’
A destroyed vehicle on fire following the US strike on January 3, 2020 on Baghdad international airport road (Picture: IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death (Picture: EPA)
Twitter user Joaquin added: ‘Please don’t make a trashy joke about this because some of us actually have family members currently stationed near Iran.’
Suleimani, who ran Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria, was killed while being driven from Baghdad airport by local allies from the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU).
The phrase ‘World War 3’ began trending on social media after news of his death broke, with several UK and Iran officials warning that the consequences could only be disastrous.
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An advisor to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said ‘through his gamble’ Trump has ‘dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region’.
Writing on the social media app Telegram, he added: ‘Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.’
Prominent Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called an anti-US army to arms, tweeting that he was reactivating the army this morning.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.
‘Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.’
Donald Trump has celebrated by posting an American flag (Picture: SMG/REX)
Jeremy Corbyn also released a statement that read: ‘The US assassination of Qasem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict with global significance.
‘The UK government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the US.’
However, President Trump has celebrated the results of the drone strike by tweeting a picture of the American flag.
The attack potentially marks a turning point in the Middle East and could represent a massive change for American policy toward Iran after months of tensions in which Tehran shot down a US military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers.
The US also has put blame on Iran for a series of attacks targeting tankers, as well as an assault in September on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry that temporarily halved its production.
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Tension was created by Mr Trump’s decision in May 2018 to withdraw the US from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, which former President Barack Obama arranged.
It is uncertain what legal authority the White House relied on to carry out the attack and the Pentagon has not yet provided evidence to prove that Soleimani was planning new attacks against Americans.
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