What you need to know about the Iran conflict

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate following the death of the country's elite Quds military general Qassem Soleimani. Here is what you need to know about the conflict:

How did we get here? 

Soleiamani was killed early Friday during a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. The Department of Defense says the attack was conducted at President Trump's direction as a "defensive action" against Soleimani, who they say was behind recent attacks on allied bases in Iraq, including one that killed an American defense contractor on December 27th. In a statement, Trump said Soleimani "was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him."

What's happening now? 

- Iran has declared three days of public mourning on Friday for the death of Soleimani. On Saturday, thousands marched in the street in a funeral procession in Baghdad, carrying Iraqi flags and portraits of Soleimani. His body is to be returned to Iran for funeral services Sunday in Mashhad and Monday in Tehran. He will then be buried in his hometown.

- About 3,000 more U.S. soldiers have been sent to the Middle East from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division.

- Reaction in Congress to the attack has been divided. You can read more about that in our Washington Insider Jamie Dupree's blog here.

- In a statement, Iranian ambassador to the U.N. Majid Takht says the country cannot close its eyes to what happened and that there will be "a harsh revenge.”

What about any retaliations from Iran? 

While there has been no official announcement of the timetable regarding the potential retaliation from Iran, certain measures have already been taken:

- The U.S Embassy in Baghdad has warned Americans to immediately leave Iraq, and other U.S. embassies in the area have issued security alerts.

- Middle Eastern airlines Royal Jordanian and Gulf Air have suspended flights to Baghdad International Airport over security concerns.

- Extra patrols and security has been stepped up in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.

- The Department of Defense has stated that there are "no specific, credible threats" to the U.S., but they will continue "to monitor the situation."