The head of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in an airstrike at Baghdad airport in Iraq on Friday morning. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iran-backed paramilitary force, was also killed.

The US has claimed responsibility for the strike, saying it was aimed at preventing future Iranian attack plans.

The strike comes after PMF supporters and members attempted to storm the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, in response to airstrikes in Iraq and Syria conducted by US forces on Sunday.

President Donald Trump confirmed the airstrikes on Sunday were a response to a recent attack that killed a US contractor in Iraq. He blamed Iran both for the contractor's death and the attack on the embassy.

Mourners touch a casket draped in Iranian flags during Qasem Soleimani's funeral procession on January 4.
Mourners touch a casket draped in Iranian flags during Qasem Soleimani's funeral procession on January 4.
Murtadha Sudani/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
This photo, released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following the US airstrike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, on January 3.
This photo, released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following the US airstrike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, on January 3.
Handout/Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP
People watch debris burn near the airport after the airstrike on January 3.
People watch debris burn near the airport after the airstrike on January 3.
FARS News Agency
Pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters set a fire while US soldiers shoot tear gas during a demonstration outside the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, January 1.
Pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters set a fire while US soldiers shoot tear gas during a demonstration outside the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, January 1.
Khalid Mohammed/AP
A protester inspects the burnt-out entrance of the US Embassy on January 1.
A protester inspects the burnt-out entrance of the US Embassy on January 1.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images
US Marines stand guard on the roof of the US Embassy while protesters demonstrate on Wednesday.
US Marines stand guard on the roof of the US Embassy while protesters demonstrate on Wednesday.
Khalid Mohammed/AP
Protesters set fire to a reception room of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, December 31. The embassy was attacked during demonstrations in response to recent airstrikes in Iraq and Syria conducted by US forces.
Protesters set fire to a reception room of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, December 31. The embassy was attacked during demonstrations in response to recent airstrikes in Iraq and Syria conducted by US forces.
Wissm al-Okili/Reuters
US Marines from a crisis response task force based in Kuwait prepare to deploy to Baghdad to bolster security at the embassy.
US Marines from a crisis response task force based in Kuwait prepare to deploy to Baghdad to bolster security at the embassy.
Sgt. Robert Gavaldon/US Marine Corps
A US Army Apache helicopter drops flares over Baghdad in a show of force.
A US Army Apache helicopter drops flares over Baghdad in a show of force.
US Embassy in Iraq/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters carry the logo of the US Embassy.
Protesters carry the logo of the US Embassy.
Wissm Al-Okili/Reuters
Smoke billows from a sentry box at an entrance of the embassy.
Smoke billows from a sentry box at an entrance of the embassy.
US Embassy in Iraq/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters throw stones toward the embassy.
Protesters throw stones toward the embassy.
Wissm al-Okili/Reuters
US soldiers take positions around the embassy during the protests.
US soldiers take positions around the embassy during the protests.
US Embassy in Iraq/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters burn property in front of the embassy compound.
Protesters burn property in front of the embassy compound.
Khalid Mohammed/AP
People are seen through thick tear gas after protesters breached the outer wall of the embassy.
People are seen through thick tear gas after protesters breached the outer wall of the embassy.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
A picture taken through a broken window shows a vandalized room in the embassy.
A picture taken through a broken window shows a vandalized room in the embassy.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
US soldiers stand guard inside the embassy.
US soldiers stand guard inside the embassy.
Murtadha Sudani/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Protesters and militia fighters smash the bullet-proof glass of the embassy's windows with blocks of cement after breaching the outer wall.
Protesters and militia fighters smash the bullet-proof glass of the embassy's windows with blocks of cement after breaching the outer wall.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
Iraqi security forces stand guard as protesters, including clerics, hold a prayer inside the walls of the embassy.
Iraqi security forces stand guard as protesters, including clerics, hold a prayer inside the walls of the embassy.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
Iraqi security forces stand guard at the entrance of embassy.
Iraqi security forces stand guard at the entrance of embassy.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
Mourners carry the coffins of Iranian-backed paramilitary fighters in Najaf, Iraq, on December 31. The fighters were killed in US airstrikes on Sunday that sparked Tuesday's attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Mourners carry the coffins of Iranian-backed paramilitary fighters in Najaf, Iraq, on December 31. The fighters were killed in US airstrikes on Sunday that sparked Tuesday's attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Anmar Khalil/AP