Americans Told To Leave Iraq As Iran Vows Revenge For Deadly U.S. Airstrike

Tehran - The president of Iran is vowing retaliation for the U.S. airstrike that killed the commander of an elite military force.

President Hassan Rouhani called the airstrike that left Qasem Soleimani dead a "cowardly act and another sign of America's frustration and helplessness in the region." In a statement published by Iran's official news agency, Rouhani said Iran and "other free nations" of the region will take revenge against the U.S.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad is urging all U.S. citizens to leave Iraq immediately. The embassy has released a statement following the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. It reads:

"Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately. U.S. citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land."

The State Department also issued a warning, telling Americans not to approach the embassy in the Iraqi capital.

Wall Street is reacting negatively to the news. Stock futures have pointed down by a percent or more since the news of the airstrike.

Crude Oil prices are also spiking three percent this morning. International benchmark Brent crude is up $2.10 a barrel, to $68.35 and West Texas Intermediate crude is up a $1.82 to $63 a barrel. The air strike at Baghdad International Airport early Friday killed the head of Iran's elite Quds [[ koods ]] Force and an Iraqi militia commander.

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