On January 3, 2020 Qassem Soleimani, leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force and a senior political figure in the Iranian government, was killed by a drone strike, along with several others in his motorcade. The Quds Force was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 2007, as it supported militant proxy groups like Hezbollah. Iran claimed that Soleimani was in Iraq at time to meet with officials to deescalating regional tensions. However, officials believed that he was working to target US military forces in the region to instigate reprisals and galvanize public support for the government, which had been facing domestic protests.

Trump received criticism of the unilateral action for escalating tensions by assassinating a political figure. While Israel and Saudi Arabia were briefed ahead of the move, and Trump reportedly made mention to patrons at his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago, no briefing was given to Congress. He had similarly briefed Russia on another airstrike before Congress. Instead, he asserted that his tweets constitute official notice. Tensions were further inflamed by his threat to target and destroy Iranian cultural sites, a war-crime, and a claim which the Pentagon ruled out.

While the White House had originally claimed that Soleimani posed an imminent threat, requiring the strike, little information was offered to Congress or the American people. His intelligence briefing was derided even by Republicans. Instead, Trump cited his “horrible past” as sufficient cause.

Though Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and instituted sanctions, Iran continued to adhere to the agreement until this strike.

Before becoming President, Trump said multiple times that Obama would provoke Iran into conflict to secure re-election.

Business Insider – Why Iran’s Qassem Soleimani was on a not-so-secret trip to Iraq when he was assassinated
Business Insider – Here’s what’s in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that the country withdrew from amid heightened tensions with the US
The Atlantic – Soleimani Was Failing
NBC News – Iran pulling out of nuclear deal commitment after U.S. strike that killed Soleimani
Los Angeles Times – Israel had advance notice of U.S. plan to kill Iranian general Suleimani, report says
Daily Beast – Trump Told Mar-a-Lago Pals to Expect ‘Big’ Iran Action ‘Soon’
NPR – Trump Says He’ll Target Iran’s Cultural Sites. That’s Illegal
The New York Times – Pentagon Rules Out Striking Iranian Cultural Sites, Contradicting Trump
The New York Times – A Narrative Collapses as Trump Tweets: ‘It Doesn’t Really Matter’