The potential threat was raised by General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, the commander of the Guards in the southern province of Kerman
Some of the potential targets include ships in the Gulf, as well as Tel Aviv
Abuhamzeh said: 'The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there'
Iranian officials and Soleimani's supporters have vowed vengeance against the United States for their role in the airstrike
A congressional staffer said the White House expects Iran to retaliate 'within weeks'
An Iranian official says at least 35 U.S. targets have been identified for retaliatory strikes after the country’s president chillingly vowed to exact revenge for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani.
The potential threat was raised by General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, the commander of the Guards in the southern province of Kerman, one day after the top military leader was killed at the Baghdad International Airport.
Targets include ships in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and Tel Aviv.
Abuhamzeh said vital American targets in the region had been identified a ‘long time ago’.
'The Strait of Hormuz is a vital point for the West and a large number of American destroyers and warships cross there … some 35 U.S. targets in the region as well as Tel Aviv are within our reach,' he said, according to Reuters.
A retaliation attack from Iran could be seen 'within weeks' either at home or abroad, a senior congressional staffer told
Time.
The staffer said: 'There is no indication that there is going to be a de-escalation in the near future. The only question is how bad is the retaliation going to be and where and what is it going to hit.'
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) spoke to members of Doleimani's family on Saturday during a visit to their house after the general's death
General Qassem Soleimani was killed in an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump after he actively developed plans to kill U.S. military members and diplomats in the Middle East
An Iranian official revealed that at least 35 U.S. targets have been identified for retaliatory strikes, including ships in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz
Abuhamzeh's concerning remarks that Iran has previously identified targets seems to confirm the State Department's reasoning behind the airstrike on Friday.
The State Department said: 'General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.'
'The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.'
Iran is considering its options against America in retaliation for the killing of Quds commander Qassem Soleimeni in Baghdad. The conflict could quickly spiral out of control, dragging in other world powers including Russia, Turkey and China
Pictured: an oil tanker docked at Port Rashid in Dubai in the Persian Gulf
Tel Aviv, a prominent city in Israel, has also be singled out as a possible target for attack by General Gholamali Abuhamzeh
President Donald Trump said Soleimani was plotting 'imminent and sinister' attacks against Americans in a press conference after the airstrike.
'Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him,' the president revealed in a press conference.
Although the specific locations of the 35 targets have not been disclosed, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the military base could be potential targets.
This comes off the heels of the slaying of an American contractor who was killed in a rocket attack a week ago while working at an Iraqi military base in the country's northern region.
The U.S. Embassy (pictured) located in Baghdad, Iraq, was nearly under siege by enraged mourners earlier this week
The U.S. retaliated by launching an attack on five Popular Mobilization militia bases in Iraq and Syria, killing more than 24 people and inciting a nearly two-day siege of the United States Embassy in Baghdad.
Following Soleimani's death, several Iranian officials and the 62-year-old's supporters have vowed revenge on the United States.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the U.S. made a 'grave mistake' in killing Soleimani and will supposedly suffer consequences for years to come.
Iran's President Rouhani issues chilling warning that the U.S made a 'grave mistake' and will face the consequences 'for years to come' after Soleimani's family asks for revenge
The President of Iran has issued a chilling warning that the U.S. made a 'grave mistake' by killing the leader of Iran's Quds force, Qassem Soleimani, in an airstrike and that it will face consequences for years to come.
In a visit to the notorious general's house on Saturday, one of Soleimani's daughter's asked President Hassan Rhouani for revenge.
'Who is going to avenge my father's blood?' she asked.
In response, he promised her that 'everyone will take revenge' and 'we will, we will avenge his blood , you don't worry.'
'The Americans did not realize what a grave mistake they have made. They will suffer the consequences of such criminal measure not only today, but also throughout the years to come,' Rouhani said.
'This crime committed by the US will go down in history as one of their unforgettable crimes against the Iranian nation.'
Soleimani, 62, was killed in the early hours of Friday, local time, outside Baghdad's International Airport in an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.
President Rouhani (right) speaking with General Soleimani's daughters (left) on Saturday
Hours after the attack, Trump said that he ordered the killing of Soleimani to prevent war, adding that the commander was plotting 'imminent and sinister' attacks against Americans.
The general was the architect of Iran's shadow warfare and military expansion in the Middle East and was targeted specifically because he was actively developing plans to kill members of the U.S. military and diplomats in the region.
'We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war,' the president said in brief remarks at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
Rouhani has said that Iran has the right to seek revenge, saying that that retaliation will come when the 'dirty hands of the US' are removed from the region indefinitely.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei (pictured) with a member of Soleimani's family during a visit to the family's home on Friday evening
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei also visited the home on Friday evening where he said the airstrike that killed the architect of the country's infamous militia was 'villainous'.
'Everyone is bereaved & grateful to your father. This gratitude is due to his great sincerity, since hearts are in God's hands. Without sincerity, [people's] hearts wouldn't have been with him like this. May God bestow His blessings on all of us,' he said, recounting the conversation in a tweet.
'You saw people in many cities come out in numbers, with devotion. Wait to see his funeral. These blessings are before us to see the value of martyrdom. What a blessing for Hajj Qasem. He achieved his dream.'
In a series of other tweets following the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Trump administration as 'villainous' and condemned the airstrike.
'Hajj Qasem Soleimani had been exposed to martyrdom repeatedly, but in performing his duty & fighting for the cause of God, he didn't fear anyone or anything. He was martyred by the most villainous people, the US govt, & their pride in this crime is a distinguishing feature of him,' he wrote on Saturday.
He also warned Iran's 'enemies' that the Jihad of Resistance' supposed victory will be 'bitter.'
Rouhani (left) has said that Iran has the right to seek revenge, saying that that retaliation will come when the 'dirty hands of the US' are removed from the region indefinitely
Rouhani (pictured): 'The Americans did not realize what a grave mistake they have made. They will suffer the consequences of such criminal measure not only today, but also throughout the years to come. This crime committed by the US will go down in history as one of their unforgettable crimes against the Iranian nation'
The hand and ring of Soleimani photographed after he was killed by a U.S. drone strike that sent missiles at his vehicle while leaving the Baghdad Airport on Friday morning
While visiting Soleimani's family on Saturday, Rouhani called the airstrike an 'unforgettable crime.'
'The Americans did not realize what a grave mistake they have made. They will suffer the consequences of such criminal measure not only today, but also throughout the years to come,' Rouhani said.
'This crime committed by the US will go down in history as one of their unforgettable crimes against the Iranian nation.'
Ayatolla Ali Khamenei visited the family on Friday and echoed similar sentiments against the Trump administration.
Several Iranians visit a weaponry and military equipment exhibition in the capital in Tehran months before a missile attack killed Soleimani
'Hajj Qasem Soleimani had been exposed to martyrdom repeatedly, but in performing his duty & fighting for the cause of God, he didn't fear anyone or anything. He was martyred by the most villainous people, the US govt, & their pride in this crime is a distinguishing feature of him,' he wrote on Saturday.
He also warned Iran's 'enemies' that the Jihad of Resistance' supposed victory will be 'bitter.'
He wrote: 'All friends—& enemies—know that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation & definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path. The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals.'
During funeral processions for Soleimani, his supporters chanted 'No, No, America,' 'Death to America, death to Israel' and 'America is the Great Satan.'
Mohammed Fadl, a mourner dressed in black, said the funeral is an expression of loyalty to the slain leaders.
'It is a painful strike, but it will not shake us,' he said.
A group of Iranian's burn the U.S. and Israeli flags during an anti-US protest prompted by the killing during an airstrike of Iranian and Iraqi leaders on Friday
Thousands of mourners flooded the streets to mourn the deaths of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia commander, on Saturday (pictured)
Thousands chant 'Death to America!' and hold signs vowing revenge at funeral of Soleimani
Thousands of furious mourners thronged in the streets of Baghdad today during funeral processions for the slain Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi militia commander who died with him during yesterday's US strike.
They chanted 'Death to America' and 'America is the Great Satan' as they walked beside the coffins of Soleimani, architect of Iran's global military strategy, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Kataeb Hezbollah chief, in Baghdad.
The pair had been riding in a two-vehicle convoy which was decimated by three missiles from an American MQ-9 Reaper Drone in the early hours of Friday outside Baghdad International Airport.
The strike - which also killed four more Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards and five members of Iraq's pro-Iran paramilitary network - infuriated Tehran, who vowed jihad on America.
Thousands of mourners pack the streets of Baghdad on Saturday to mourn Soleimani and Muhandis killed in a US strike outside the Iraqi capital's airport in the early hours of Friday
Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis
Meanwhile Iraq, whose prime minister attended the funerals today, threatened to order the expulsion of all US troops from the country after what it called 'a brazen violation of Iraq's sovereignty.'
President Donald Trump has said that he ordered the killing of
Soleimani to prevent war, adding that the commander was plotting 'imminent and sinister' attacks against Americans.
Mourners in the Iraqi capital today carried posters of Soleimani and flags of Muhandis's Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah militia, which has committed brazen attacks against US bases in recent months, climaxing with a siege of the US embassy on Tuesday.
The procession began at the Imam Kadhim shrine in Baghdad, one of the most revered in Shia Islam before crowds headed south to a point near the Green Zone, the high-security district home to government offices and foreign embassies, including America's.
Mourners surround a car carrying the coffin of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani through the streets of Baghdad on Saturday
Meanwhile thousands of angry demonstrators stood outside the UN offices in Iran's capital, demanding retribution for the killing of Soleimani.
The head of Iran's elite Quds Force will be laid to rest Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman as part of three days of ceremonies across the country, the Revolutionary Guards said.
Yesterday Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visited the 62-year-old father-of-five's family home and offered condolences after vowing 'jihad' on America for the drone strike.
It comes as Tehran's UN ambassador, who represents Iran's only diplomatic mission within the US, told CNN Friday that the airstrike was 'tantamount to opening a war against Iran.'
'The US has already started a war against Iran, not just an economic war but something beyond that by assassinating one of our top generals,' Ravanchi said. 'There will be harsh revenge... The response for a military action is a military action.'
Today mourners in the Iraqi capital, many of them in tears, chanted: 'No, No, America,' and 'Death to America, death to Israel.'
Mohammed Fadl, a mourner dressed in black, said the funeral is an expression of loyalty to the slain leaders.
'It is a painful strike, but it will not shake us,' he said.
Two helicopters hovered over the procession, which was attended by Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and leaders of Iran-backed militias.
The remains will later be taken to the Shiite holy city of Najaf to the south, and the remains of the Guards will then be flown to Iran, which has declared three days of mourning.
Following the violent attacks on the embassy during marches for other militant 'martyrs' earlier this week, the U.S. is bracing for the possibility of another assault.
Some of the funeral processions were being held in areas close to the heavily-fortified 'Green Zone' and officials are extremely wary of masses of militia close to consular buildings.
Any attempt by Iran-backed militias to breach the embassy would 'run into a buzzsaw' of fire from U.S. defenders, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said earlier this week.
'We are very confident that the integrity of that embassy is strong and it is highly unlikely to be physically overrun by anyone,' Milley said at a Pentagon briefing.
A US defense official told AFP Saturday that America would scale back military operations in Iraq and devote manpower to defending its bases and troops.
'We will conduct limited anti-Islamic State group operations with our security partners where it mutually supports our force protection efforts,' the official said. 'We have increased security and defensive measures at Iraqi bases that host coalition troops.'
NATO announced Saturday it was suspending training missions in Iraq. The NATO mission in Iraq, which numbers in the hundreds, trains the country's security forces at the request of the Baghdad government to prevent the return of the Islamic State group.
As tensions soared across the region, there were reports overnight of an airstrike on a convoy of Iran-backed militiamen north of Baghdad.
Hours later, the Iraqi army denied any airstrike had taken place. The U.S.-led coalition also denied carrying out any airstrike.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of mostly Iran-backed militias, and security officials had reported the airstrike in Taji, north of the capital. An Iraqi security official had said five people were killed and two vehicles were destroyed.
It was not immediately clear if another type of explosion had occurred.
Iraqi Shiite women mourn the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Soleimani during a funeral procession made of thousands of citizens held in central Baghdad on SAturday
At least two rockets were reported to have fired near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and three were fired at Balad Airbase housing US troops, about 50 miles north of the city.
After the rockets landed, security around the embassy's perimeter, located in the the green zone were rammed up in response.
Of the three missiles that fired from the airbase, two Katyusha rockets fell inside the base and it was not immediately clear how many U.S. troops are being housed inside.
A number of rockets also landed in the Al-Jadiriya neighborhood, according to the Iraq Army, although it is not clear if that was the intended target.
There have been no reports of injuries and it is not clear who fired the rockets.
Rockets launched at US Embassy in Baghdad and military airbase housing American soldiers
Rockets were fired near the US Embassy in Baghdad and a military airbase housing American troops a day after General Qassem Soleimani was killed in an air strike.
On January 1, pro-Iran protesters stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad, and lit fires outside
At least two rockets landed near the embassy, which is located in the security-tight Green Zone.
It also reported that security at the embassy's perimeter was stepped up after the rockets fell. Earlier this week, pro-Iran protesters stormed the US embassy in a siege that lasted just over a day.
Another three rockets were fired at Balad Airbase housing American troops, about 50 miles north of the city, according to Reuters.
Of those, two Katyusha rockets fell inside the base. It's not clear how many US troops are being house at the base.
A number of rockets also landed in the Al-Jadiriya neighborhood, according to the Iraq Army, although it is not clear if that was the intended target.
There have been no reports of injuries and it is not clear who fired the rockets.
Iran unfurls red flag at Mosque signalling severe battle to come
Iranians raise blood red 'flags of revenge' for General Qassem Soleimani's killing
Iranians raised the blood-red 'flags of revenge', vowing to retaliate after the US killed general Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike in Baghdad.
Iranian state TV broadcast the flag being hoisted over the minarets at the revered Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom on Saturday.
In Shia Islam the red flags, which have also been flown at demonstrations in Tehran, symbolize blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge the person who is slain.
It comes as Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei and President Hassan Rouhani consoled Soleimani's distraught children at his family home last night, reassuring them the commander would be avenged.
As the flag was raised in Qom, the mosque speakers called, 'O Allah, hasten your custodian reappearance,' a reference to the end-times reappearance of the Mahdi.
Protesters demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Saturday. Red flags in Shia tradition symbolize both blood spilled unjustly and serve as a call to avenge a person who is slain
In Shia Islam, the faith of Iran, the Mahdi is a divine figure who will appear to bring a Day of Judgement and rid the world of evil.
According to local reports it is the first time in the Qom mosque's history - a holy site since the Middle Ages - that the red flag has been raised over the building.
Last night Khamanei and Rouhani consoled Soleimani's family.
'Who is going to avenge my father's blood?' One of the commander's daughters asked.
In response, Rouhani promised her that 'everyone will take revenge' and assured her as she wept, 'we will, we will avenge his blood, you don't worry.'
'The Americans did not realize what a grave mistake they have made. They will suffer the consequences of such criminal measure not only today, but also throughout the years to come,' Rouhani said.
'This crime committed by the US will go down in history as one of their unforgettable crimes against the Iranian nation.'
Soleimani, 62, was killed in the early hours of Friday, local time, outside Baghdad's International Airport in an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.
Hours after the attack, Trump said that he ordered the killing of Soleimani to prevent war, adding that the commander was plotting 'imminent and sinister' attacks against Americans.
The general was the architect of Iran's shadow warfare and military expansion in the Middle East and was targeted specifically because he was actively developing plans to kill members of the U.S. military and diplomats in the region.
Thousands of mourners took to the streets of Tehran on Saturday where the red flag was also seen fluttering before a downtown mosque in the Iranian capital.
Meanwhile in Baghdad, shouts of 'Death to America' filled the air as tens of thousands of people marched to mourn Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in the US strike.
A PMF-organised procession carrying the bodies of Soleimani, Muhandis and other Iraqis killed in the US strike took place in the city's heavily fortified Green Zone.
Mourners included many militiamen in uniform for whom Muhandis and Soleimani were heroes.
They carried portraits of both men and plastered them on walls and armoured personnel carriers in the procession.
In another unsettling event, Iran has unfurled a red flag, signifying revenge, on top of the Jamkaran Mosque, in Qom.
The U.S. has since ordered all citizens to leave Iraq and closed their Baghdad based embassy, where Iranian militiamen and supporters staged violent protests outside the building for two days.
Additionally, NATO has suspended training Iraqi security and armed forces in the region.
Spokesman Dylan White said: 'The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount.'
Several U.S. cities have also begun taking precautions against any potential attacks by bolstering security.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said the NYPD will take steps to protect 'certain locations' from 'from any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against America.'
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city would bolster security in the wake of the Iranian airstrike
Bill de Blasio: 'We are in an unprecedented situation today, but the NYPD is ready for any scenario. New Yorkers will see heightened security at locations around the city, but there is NO credible and specific threat at this time. If you see something, say something'
'No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States. We're taking escalation in the Middle East seriously — and I have absolute faith in the NYPD to protect this city and keep every New Yorker safe,' he said in a tweet.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo added that the Department of Public Service has been in contact with all electric, telephone, water and natural gas utilities in New York in an effort to increase vigilance for cybersecurity and physical security.
The Los Angeles Police Department and Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. have also announced mounting security.
The LAPD is in talks with law enforcement at all levels and say there is not credible threat as of now.
Bowser released a statement saying Metropolitan Police and Homeland Security were working to monitor evolving events.
'While there are no immediate threats to the District of Columbia, we remain vigilant and [Metropolitan Police Department] & [DC Emergency Management and Homeland Security] will remain in close contact with regional and federal partners to monitor evolving events — both at home and abroad,' she said.
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There have been no Iranian attacks against the United States since the airstrike.
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