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The killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a US strike in Iraq will result in growing tensions in the Middle East, a Russian Foreign Ministry source told TASS on Friday.

"We consider Soleimani’s murder in a US missile strike at the suburbs of Baghdad an adventurous step that will lead to growing tensions throughout the region," the source noted. "Soleimani devotedly served the cause of protecting Iran’s national interests. We are offering our sincere condolences to the Iranian people."

The Pentagon earlier confirmed that a missile strike near the Baghdad airport killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of the elite Quds Force. The operation was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump, the statement said.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared three days of national mourning after the US strike, promising to take revenge on those behind the general’s murder.