‘A more dangerous world’: US killing triggers global alarm

Associated Press
Posted:
by Associated Press
Qassem Soleimani
Soleimani
In this Sept. 18, 2016, file photo provided by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran. Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials said Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, that Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, has been killed in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)

PARIS — Global powers are warning that the U.S. killing of Iran’s top general has made the world a more dangerous place.

But some also are suggesting that Iran shared some blame by provoking the strike. Oil prices surged, reflecting investors’ jitters about Mideast stability. Iran vowed revenge against Americans.

Twitter users turned “WWIII” into a top trending term. But there was praise from Israel and a right-wing opposition leader in Italy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo worked the phones, calling world capitals to defend the killing.

Saudi Arabia appealed for international efforts to stabilize the vital region.

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