Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows vengeance for Gen. Qasem Soleimani's death

Iran warned Friday that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the United States after top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed by the Pentagon in an airstrike.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed vengeance.

Khamenei said in a statement published by Iranian state media that the "cruelest people on earth" assassinated the "honorable" commander who "courageously fought for years against the evils and bandits of the world."

Khamenei called for three days of mourning.

"His departure to God does not end his path or his mission," the statement said, published by Fars News Agency. "But a forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands."

Soleimani was killed at Baghdad airport early Friday alongside members of Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq. The airstrike was ordered by President Donald Trump. Soleimani was killed while a convoy he was traveling in was leaving the airport. Iran funds and supports proxy militias across the Middle East.