NSA O'Brien: Soleimani Taken Out Over Plot to Kill Diplomats, Soldiers

Iraqi Gen. Qassam Soleimani was taken out because the government had intelligence "which we believe was very strong" that showed the commander and those with whom he was plotting were "looking to kill American diplomats and soldiers in significant numbers" in upcoming days, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said Tuesday.

"I can tell you that there were plans that were being made and Soleimani was in the midst of that plotting," O'Brien told Fox News' "Fox and Friends." "That's why he was traveling in the region in Damascus and Beirut and Baghdad, to conspire with people to attack American facilities that contained diplomat soldiers, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen. We were, the president was very concerned about that activity. Soleimani and the Iranian regime knew exactly what they were doing. What they did was underestimated the president and his restraint."