Qassem Soleimani's daughter warns 'crazy Trump' a 'dark day' is coming
Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani was killed by a drone strike approved by US President Donald Trump.
Monday 6 January 2020 20:27, UK
The daughter of the Iranian commander killed in an American airstrike has warned the US it faces a "dark day" for his death.
Major General Qassem Soleimani was targeted by a drone in an operation approved by President Donald Trump last week, prompting the Middle Eastern nation to vow revenge.
Senior Iranian figures including the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended the general's funeral on Monday, where his daughter Zeinab Soleimani said the US and its ally Israel would both face repercussions.
In an address broadcast live on state television, she said: "Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over with my father's martyrdom."
She added that a "dark day" would befall the US and Israel as a result of .
Her statement came after her father's replacement General Esmail Ghaani, who now leads the Quds unit of Iran's revolutionary guard, said he would get "rid of America from the region".
Speaking ahead of the funeral in Tehran, he said: "God the almighty has promised to get his revenge, and God is the main avenger. Certainly actions will be taken."
He is expected to continue his predecessor's efforts to expand Iran's military influence in the Middle East.
The force he now leads is comparable with a combination of America's CIA and special forces, and commentators have compared his status to that of the US vice president.
General Soleimani was being closely watched by the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia before he was killed, with Washington having believed he was responsible for attacks on its forces in the region over the past two decades.
His death, which has been described as a "significant escalation" in tensions between Washington and Tehran, sparked chants of "death to America" in the Iranian parliament.
Iran's supreme leader, who wept during prayers for Soleimani, has warned that "harsh retaliation" awaits the US, and defence minister Amir Hatami has threatened "crushing revenge".
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Mr Trump has so far appeared unmoved by the rhetoric coming from Tehran, saying the US will not hesitate to carry out further strikes if Iran retaliates.
The president tweeted that the US would "quickly and fully strike back", and "perhaps in a disproportionate manner", should any American people or targets be attacked.