Tensions are escalating quickly in the Middle East after the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike outside Baghdad’s airport Thursday night.

A statement from the U.S. Defense Department says Soleimani was killed at the direction of U.S. President Donald Trump because “he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and through the region.”

Soleimani was the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force and the architect of Iran’s interventions across the Middle East.

There have been warnings of retaliation by a number of Iranian officials.

American citizens are being told by the U.S. Statement department to leave Iraq immediately.

Earlier in the day, Defense secretary Mark Esper said it appeared Iranian backed militia groups were planning more violence after they’d attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

“Do I think they may do something? Yes. And they may likely regret it,” Esper warned.

A Deputy Commander of an Iranian backed militia in Iraq was also killed.

Doctor Elliot Tepper of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University explained his concerns of the escalating tension in the middle east to Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer. Listen to the full conversation by clicking here.

Oil prices quickly rose after news broke of the air strike in Baghdad.