Found. And fleeing the fires. Australia launches a massive evacuation by land, air, and sea to save thousands from the deadly wildfires. Well tell you why this little boy is at the center of an emotional tribute. It is friday, january 3rd, 2020. Heres todays eye opener. Your world in 90 seconds. We saw this uptick over the last two months. Nearly a dozen attacks increasing in both volume and the type of weapons used. And so, you know, enough is enough. Iran vows revenge for the death of a top general. Tonight showed them do not mess with america. Assassinating someone of such a significant leadership role, we have to make sure that we are preparing for what might be to come. Australian Prime MinisterScott Morrison was confronted by angry residents for not doing enough to help deal with devastating fires. Youre an idiot. Police in las vegas were able to find a kidnapping suspect after a suspicious and scary situation was caught on home surveillance video. The senate gets back to work today with the trump impeachment trial expected to dominate the agenda. They had no case. There was no crime committed. But they impeached him anyway. And they dont know what to do with it. Video of kim jongun galloping on a white horse up a Sacred Mountain. Sort of angelic, you might say. A car plunges off a california cliff and neither the driver or the vehicle have been seen since. All that. Check out this avalanche in utah. It was actually started on purpose to get snow off the mountain. Its beautiful here. Its coming down. And all that matters. Untrained meteorologist. Selfprofessed meteorologist reporting on the weather is not as easy as it looks. In the streets. [ bleep ]. On cbs this morning. The monster finish for the Womens Basketball team handing Florida State university its first loss of the season. Lobs. Exler catches and lays it in at the buzzer a gamewinning and upset Florida State this mornings eye opener is presented by toyota. Lets go places. And welcome to cbs this morning. We begin with breaking news from the middle east where a u. S. Drone strike killed one of irans most powerful military leaders overnight. The targeted killing of Major GeneralQasem Soleimani inside iraq is a dramatic escalation in the confrontation between the u. S. And iran. Video apparently from the aftermath shows burning wreckage near baghdads airport. Soleimani led the powerful quds force of the Islamic Revolutionary guards blamed for killing hundreds of american troops. In iran, people upset about the killing, spilled into the streets of several cities to mourn his death. Iran vows a harsh response. Irans Supreme Leader tweeted, quote, severe revenge awaits the criminals who carried out the strike. This drone strike signals a new u. S. Military approach to iranian threats. Yesterday, a statement by President Trumps defense secretary mark esper seemed to foreshadow the attack. He said, quote, we will take preemptive action as well to protect american forces, to protect american lives. The game has changed. End quote. We have a team of correspondents in the middle east and at home covering every major angle. Including irans potential military response. The white house strategy. And the growing controversy in congress. And were going to begin with david martin at the pentagon for us. David, good morning. So whats at stake here . Soleimanis death opens a new and dangerous chapter in the longrunning confrontation between the u. S. And iran. The drone strike illuminated a key enemy. But it could also put americans throughout the middle east at greater risk. Iran state television confirmed general Qasem Soleimanis death overnight. A Deputy Commander of iranianbacked militias, oh close advisor to soleimani, who was sanctioned by the u. S. For violence against americans, was also killed. Unverified video from the scene Near Baghdad International Airport shows the wreckage of two vehicles. President trump authorized the thursday air strike as part of his maximumPressure Campaign, which has intensified in recent months. In a statement, the pentagon blamed soleimani for the deaths of hundreds of American Service members. Writing, he was actively developing plans to attack american diplomats and Service Members in iraq and throughout the region. U. S. Blamed soleimani for orchestrating the attack on an Iraqi Military base that killed an American Contractor last month. And for approving the attack on the u. S. Embassy in baghdad earlier this week. Retired general david patrias, who commanded forces during the war in iraq, called soleimani our most significant and evil adversary in the greater middle east. Seen as a terrorist in the u. S. , soleimani was respected in iran and tried to reshape its influence in the region. He had the backing of irans Supreme Leader and was the head of the Iranian Revolutionary guards quds force. A u. S. Designated terrorist organization that armed and trained iraqi militias responsible for killing u. S. Troops. Earlier in the day, defense secretary mark esper said iran may be planning new attacks against the u. S. And that the game has changed. This is part of irans maligned behavior. That theyve been spreading across the region from africa all the way through the middle east into afghanistan now for 40 years. And its this type of bad behavior that simply needs to end. President trump warned earlier this week iran would pay a price. But he did not want war. I dont think that would be a good idea for iran. It wouldnt last very long. Do i want to . No. I want to have peace. I like peace. The u. S. Military throughout the middle east has been ordered to hunker down and be ready for iranian retaliation. David martin for us in at the pentagon. The state department issued an urgent warning overnight telling all americans in iraq to leave the country immediately. Ian lee is in baghdad. The death of Qasem Soleimani in baghdad ignited a new chapter of regional tensions. Iran Supreme Leader took to twitter vowing severe revenge. This morning, iranbacked hezbollah in lebanon ordered its quote resistance fighters around the world to avenge soleimani. Iraqs Prime Minister says the assassinations are a massive breach of sovereignty and the Security Agreement with the United States now needs reevaluation. American allies in the region like israel are preparing for possible retaliation and are on high alert. So are american forces. With 9,000 in the region and 3,000 extra preparing to deploy. Hours before the killings, u. S. Troops from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in kuwait. Soleimani is a polarizing figure here in iraq. His death exposes deep divisions on the countrys streets. In baghdads square, antigovernment protestors celebrated the news of his death. Accusing soleimani of being behind the deaths of many demonstrators in recent months. The question now isnt whether iran will strike back. But rather how . And to what severity. And what its over, will the killing of soleimani have been worth it . For cbs this morning, ian lee in baghdad. President trump has not spoken directly about the killing. But he has tweeted this morning. Quote, general Qasem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of americans and was plotting to kill many more. But got caught. End quote. Major garrett is at the white house for us. Major, good morning. Is this drone strike a surprise . Good morning. This move is a surprise. And it is reverberating across capitol hill and the world. Now, President Trump has, in the past, targeted highvalue terrorists in pursuit of u. S. Interest. But he has also tried to reduce , in duration and number, u. S. Military exposure in the middle east. Negotiating with the taliban, seeking to withdrawal u. S. Forces from afghanistan, and of course in recent months, pulling some u. S. Special forces out of northern syria. But this move is a critical 180degree turn for President Trump. And it comes as he begins the campaign in 2020 for reelection. And faces a looming Senate Impeachment trial. Analysts fear it could also draw both nations closer to a war. And increase risks faced by americans not just in the middle east but possibly elsewhere. Its worth noting back in 2011 and 2012, mr. Trump criticized thenpresident braqarack obama his iran policy choices tweeting dont let obama play the iran card to start a war in order to get elected. Also, withdrew from the nuclear deal. Expanding economic sanctions on the Iranian Regime. That drew the ire of both lawmakers who subsequently rebuffed the president s offer to meet and negotiate new terms. In a tweet prior to soleimanis assassination, khamenei said, quote, meaning america, you cant do anything and your crimes in iraq have made nations hate you. President trump has allowed u. S. Intelligence and the u. S. Military to prove what it can do. The question is now, why did he take on a risk of challenging the Iranian Regime at its highest level . A risk that neither president obama, nor president george w. Bush, was prepared to take. All right. Major, thank you. The Police Departments in new york city and los angeles are monitoring developments in the middle east for any potential threats in this country. Senior National Security contributor and former acting and deputy cia director michael morale joins us. Michael, welcome again. Michael, both former president s george w. Bush and obama reportedly rejected targeting soleimani in the past. Fearing it could lead to war. But we heard the defense secretary say the game has changed. How significant is this radical shift in strategy . So, anthony, heres the balance. Qasem soleimani was an evil genius. He had a lot of american blood on his hands. He was the mastermind behind iranian maligned behavior in the region. The world is a better place without him. The problem is that comes at a very high cost. Number one, there will be dead americans, dead civilian americans as a result of this. Possibly, over the next few days. In any place where iran has its proxies. Iraq is the most likely place but also lebanon, bahrain, other places in the middle east. Number two, this sets a precedent, anthony, that that senior officials are fair game in this hybrid, not yet at war kind of scenario that were in with iran. And thats a dangerous precedent to set. Number three, this is actually going to enable the hardliners, strengthen the hardliners in iran. As we heard earlier, Qasem Soleimani, extremely popular in iran. And that is going to actually strengthen those people who follow him. A and, lastly, i think weve now ended any hope of keeping iraq out of irans arms. I think were going to see the Iranian Parliament vote very shortly, possibly as early as today, to send american troops home. So yes its good that hes gone but it comes at an extraordinarily high price. And thats why the Bush Administration and the Obama Administration chose not to do Something Like this. Michael, how do you think iran is specifically likely to respond . So i think it depends. I think if they think about it rationally, they will not conduct a military strike on u. S. Military forces in the region because theyre going to lose that battle. I think what the iranians are going to do is theyre going to turn their proxies loose throughout the region to go after civilians. And at a time and place of their choosing, theyre going to conduct a terrorist strike that kills a senior american official. And that could be anywhere in the world. The iranians and lebanese hezbollah, their main ally have contingency plans on the books for such terrorist attacks. Mike, when you say and its bracing to hear you say that there will be dead americans, including civilians, in this response from iran. And it could be anywhere in the world. That includes the United States . Yes, it does. How might that unfold . So as i said, lebanese hezbollah, which is one of, you know, their closest allies, has contingency plans. To include contingency plans in the United States against u. S. Targets. Do we know anything about who might replace soleimani . There is the old adage about the devil you know and the devil you dont. So there is some there is some chatter on social media about the iranians having already announced his successor. Its his deputy. Its his longtime deputy of 22 years. Same philosophy. Same ideology. Not the same charisma. But the same approach. So i dont think were going to see a change in iranian behavior as a result of Qasem Soleimanis death. Michael morale for us. Thank you. President trumps decision to authorize the Deadly Strike faces criticism from democrats on the campaign trail and in congress. Keith is on capitol hill. Ed, how are lawmakers responding this morning . Good morning. Democrats dont question whether or not general soleimani was an enemy to the United States. Theyre just upset that the administration didnt seek congressional authorization before taking those steps. Take, for example, Senate Minority leader chuck schumer. Aids tell me he didnt get a heads up about this before it happened. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the president s actions saying america and the world cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return. And chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee elliot eveningle said the attack raises serious legal problems. He says according to the war powers resolution, the president is required by law to notify congress within 48 hours. On the other side of the aisle, republicans are calling it a success and justice for the american troops killed at the hands of general soleimani through the years. Senator lindsey graham, a close ally of President Trump said, quote, if iran continues to attack america and our allies, they should pay the heaviest of prices. Which includes the destruction of their oil refineries. And quickly, we should point out today marks one month until the iowa caucus. Candidates will be holding more events in that state for the weekend. Tony, this is likely to be a big topic of conversation. Indeed. Ed, thank you very much. And well be staying on this breaking story throughout our broadcast. In our next hour, well take a closer look at general Qasem Soleimani and why the u. S. Accuses him of killing hundreds of american and coalition troops. The devastating wildfires in australia have prompted one of the largest evacuation in the countrys history. Navy ships are helping hundreds of people leave their neighborhoods. More than 100,000 residents and tourists have been forced to flee. Hundreds of fires have burned roughly 12 million acres. At least 19 people have died. Natasha, our news Partner Network 10 news is in malacuda. Good morning. The navy vessel is now four hours into what will be a 20hour journey. The people on board fleeing one of the worst Natural Disasters australia has ever seen. We now have bush fires raging across more than half of the country. Our Prime Minister is facing his own political disaster when he visited one of these communities, he was confronted by very angry residents whose house had been burnt down. This was recorded on camera and both pictures have also gone right around the world. But here in australia, were still very much focused on the Natural Disaster at hand. Weve been told that the situation is going to intensify in the next 24 hours. Major blazes are going to combine to form one massive fire. And everyone here is on very high alert. This is natasha for cbs this morning. Australia. The emotional toll these fires are taking on australians has been captured in a single snapshot. Take a look at this. 19monthold Harvey Keaton was awarded a posthumous commendation for bravery and service at his fathers funeral yesterday as he war a firefighter shirt just like his dads. Harveys father, jeffrey, was one of three volunteers killed in recent weeks while battling these outofcontrol fires. Most of the firefighters workin on this are volunteers. Putting their life on the line. They really are and the pictures just continue to be devastating. Stories as well. Got a medal on his chest and a pacifier in his mouth. Were learning new details about the incredible escape of a man once considered a visionary in the Auto Industry. Ahead, how carlos ghosn went from house arrest in japan to a fugitive half a world we are starting off the day with chilly temps temps and mainly clear skies. Son patchy fog this morning as we head through the afternoon enjoy the sunshine with mild temps as we head through the afternoon. Light scattered showers return late tonight overnight and into tomorrow morning. 60s in San Francisco. 65 san jose and 59 for concord. On futurecast we will see