Streets of the capital nearly filled with a funeral procession for those killed in fridays u. S. Strike at the baghdad airport. Among them irans top military Commander Qassem Soleimani who will be buried in iran. Now, lets be clear not everyone in iraq is mourning his death. But even among those who hated what he stood for, who resented ianian interference in their country, there is outrage over an attack by an outside power carried out on iraqi soil. Earlier we heard u. S. President trump justify the operation saying he acted before soleimani could caro out more attacks against americans. Last night at my direction the United States military executed a flawless strike that terminated the terrorist ringleader responsible for gravely wounding thousands and thousands of people and hundreds and hundreds at least of americans. He was planning a very major attack, and we got him. That has iran promising it will strike back when and where it chooses. Iran will act based on its own choosing that the time, the place and they should expect anything as a result of this aggression. Well soleimanis funeral is about to begin at least the processions. And nick paten walsh will take a look at the potential iranian response, what they were planning and what could be next. Orrin leavernen along the israel lebanon border. On and on the ground in tehran. And Nick Robertson in riyadh. Well begin in the iraqi capital where a funeral procession is now under way. Tell us what we are seeing and what the atmosphere is. Reporter well, becky, were seeing live pictures on various iraqi channels not just from baghdad but also from the holy cities in the south. Thousands of people are pouring into the streets. Also outside the holy shrines in the southern cities awaiting the arrival of the remains of the ten People Killed in that u. S. Strike. That includes of course Qassem Soleimani and also the Top Commander here, one of the highest ranking commanders within that iranian backed paramilitary force. And, you know, weve seen these emotional scenes playing out live on television. Youve had men, women turning up to mourn the death of these men that they consider to be heroes and martyrs. These are men with a great following here of young militia men who they commanded, who they led in the battlefield on the front lines in the fight against isis. And today they are out there. They are angry, they are very emotional. We have seen many crying. You see many chanting such anger. Now we expect iraqi officials to also attend this funeral procession that is taking place in baghdad. And this is coming at a time, becky, of course when the iraqi government, the Political Leadership here is under a lot of pressure to stand up to the United States because no matter how people here feel about iran, about Qassem Soleimani, about iranian influence in this country, one thing unifies them all and that is their stance against the what they see as this violation of iraqi sovereignty with the United States carrying out this unprecedented targeted strike here. A lot of concern. The situation is very tense. People would tell you they are very, very concerned about where this is all headed, becky. Shes in baghdad. And as we sit on these images out of baghdad, the funeral procession, nick paten walsh standing by in beirut. Hes been digging into why the u. S. Decided to kill soleimani now. Nick, there are likely to have been opportunities in the past for the u. S. To target irans military chief. They didnt, so why now . Well, clearly they publicly say that the case was the disputable, that they could not abide taking the risk of allowing him to continue with the plans they say were imminent against u. S. Assets in the region here. Now, they wont really go into exactly the level of detail these u. S. Officials who have been briefing on this topic about where the plots precisely were aimed, how lethal they were. A Senior State Department official said they were concerned about attacks potentially in iraq, syria and lebanon against u. S. Diplomatic and military personnel. Now, in syria they really only have military personnel and in here in lebanon they really only have a dip plumatic presence at the embassy in beirut. So you get a possible idea as to what may have been the focus here in lebanon, certainly. But theres a big amount the u. S. Simply wont say, and that is the level of detail they were in and also answering the question to what the death of Qassem Soleimani would have done to executing him. You may also argue theyre advanced to be able to perform without Qassem Soleimani being around to actually pull the trigger himself. Clearly a calculation was made that the u. S. Interests in the region are better served with a very high profile death and still shadowy man like Qassem Soleimani. He was wellknown but also somebody who operated as much off the radar as he could. He would sort of turn up amongst something as a hero. Many perhaps thinking that he believed he was maybe immune to some sort of response. As you pointed out previous administrations have turned down the opportunity to kill him particularly when he was directing elements of the insurgency or assisting them, the belief i think the u. S. Had too many troops vulnerable to sustain iranian retaliation on the ground nearly ten years ago. And now the Obama Administration sought a military deal with iran so killing irans military commander would have made problems for that diplomatic channel. There was an imminent threat and its impeded or perhaps neutralized and well see in the days and weaks ahead. Well see if thats true and presumably worked out whatever retaliation iran can put on the table. It would probably be similar to the damage already being done to the u. S. sense of ability weve seen over the past months over ten of them followed up by the pressure and onslaught against the u. S. Embassy in baghdad. It has been consistent, relntless over the past month so some may argue deciding to take out the man they consider responsible for all of this isnt that much of a surprise. I think its possible more testament to how Qassem Soleimani became such an influential figure, the outside executer of irans influence in this region that many arent quite so startled this move was taken by the Trump Administration. Nicks in beirut. I want to get you to saudi arabia because, nick, clearly pointing out that part of the influence of this man, allegedly the attack on the aramco intlgz. Nick robertson is standing by in riyadh. The u. S. Says their intelligence suggested imminent attacks led by soleimani on u. S. Assets in iraq, syria and in lebanon led to the decision to take out soleimani. But concern, now, across the region about what happens next, what irans response might be where and when, whats the perspective where you are . Well, the perspective here is that theyve long said that they believe that tehran soleimani has been raising tensions, commit committing terrorist acts throughout the region. Theyve seen tehrans hand backing the houthis there with longrange sophisticated weapons. And those weapons have targeted the capital here in riyadh. No ones been killed. Theyve landed in the desert or been shot down. And the saudis will obviously point to the targeting of that oil facility, two Oil Facilities in september last year. Very clearly they believe the complex attack using drones and missiles came from iran was of iranian origin. So they would recognize that they are potentially a target. They would certainly recognize that theres a potential for an escalation of a conflict in the region here that they could get caught up in. But they would certainly be behind the United States, and they certainly say they are and have said in the past that they support the United States in its view on iran. Thats been very important to them. But they would recognize and this is what theyre saying that its important not to escalate that the moment. They can themselves become the victims if it escalates. And they certainly want to see iran change its course. So, you know, these are not mutually exclusive, but they certainly raise concern at the time of the ciing of soleimani and obviously irans hand can reach a much greater distance and they can wait a great deal of time before they actually sort of even the score, if you will. Just point out that 1998 with in the persian gulf accidently shot down an iranian passenger jet it killed more than 200 people. The iranians waited nine months before putting a pipe bomb underneath the car of the captain in san diego, and the pipe bomb went off and narrowly missed injuring his wife. So, you know, how iran will respond can range that whole gamut of waiting for a pinprick strike thousands of miles away or heading out to u. S. Allies in the immediate vicinity in the region. Nick is in riyadh for you, appreciate it, nick. Our correspondents standing by in a region on high alert. We take you to tehran next as our breaking News Coverage continues. The latest on how the country is reacting to the u. S. Strike on their Top Commander. That adds funeral processions are well under way in baghdad for Qassem Soleimani and those who lost their lives in the u. S. Strike friday. Stay with us. These folks dont have time to go to the post office they use stamps. Com all the services of the post office only cheaper get a 4week trial plus postage and a digital scale go to stamps. Com tv and never go to the post office again. The Islamic Republic of iran holds this right to respond any time andane manner it will. We will not be involved in the u. S. smear campaigns and their blackmailing. We will give a proper response in any manner and time we will as stated by the supreme leader. Irans foreign minister there on the countrys vow to respond to the strike that killed Qassem Soleimani. Another iranian official calls it an act of war, but u. S. President donald trump insists that war is not the goal, and he says that soleimani was planning a, quote, very major attack, which he says suz why he was neutralized. Reviled in the u. S. , and it has to be said not just by the Trump Administration, by many in the west. Qassem soleimani was revered by many in iran. Why . Reporter indeed. A National Celebrity for different blocks of society. Why . Because he has been portrayed as a hero fighting isis in iran. Does important things for it bigger class in iran, so he is a hero in iraq, in syria, in the region. So that is the reason hes a hero and National Celebrity for even secular blocks of society. On the other hand he is very close to the supreme leader. Hes a soldier of the theoc kraes and hes admired, adored by the conservative blocks of society, the grass roots. So now whatever is the motivation of these assassination in baghdad, his assassination has played out a role to unify two competing factions in iran or hard liners. So this is very important factor. In fact, the Morning Service is playing a consoldatary role. Im sure the image of his funeral procession in iraq today being broadcast in iran as we look also at images post this attack on killing soleimani where we saw the burning of american flags and israeli flags in iran. Tehran very quick to name a successor. Who is he, and how might his influence be any different from soleimanis . He is not going to be different. He has been acting commander so far, so hes well experienced. And hes not going to be different and the agenda is the same as it was for soleimani. What can we expect from the Funeral Services finally which will be held for soleimani once his body is returned to iran on sunday . Very good questions. Now i can say in a metaphoric language that iran is sort of wrapped up in the shroud of the Morning Service. And it serves the purposes of the theocracy because this society is not going to forget him. So he will be commemorated on different occasions. His pictures in the cities probably we will do that i mean in the coming hours and so his morning is not going to be finished tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, he will be commemorated and his Morning Service will serve as i mean fortifying factor of the theocracy. And it is a very Good Opportunity for his supporters to show their power, to flex their muscles and unify themselves and use for all problems, domestic problems. So its very good for the people to remember him, and he will be remembered for months and years to come, becky. The perspective from tehran. As tensions flare between the United States and iran the u. S. Is deploying thousands more troops to this region of the middle east. Cnns Barbara Starr has new details on what led to President Trump ordering the strike that killed Qassem Soleimani. Reporter President Trumps top military advisor general mark milly says he cannot rule out that an attack from iran could still occur. When compelling intelligence in recent days showed Qassem Soleimani a top Iranian Military commander planned to attack u. S. Targets in the middle east, the Trump Administration made the decision to kill him according to milly. The u. S. Decided to act because of the size, scale and scope of the planning by soleimani milly said. Is there a risk now to u. S. Safety in the region . Damn right there is risk milly told reporters. But to deal with that risk the u. S. Has stepped up its defenses and plans to sends thousands of additional troops to the middle east. The Additional Forces will come from the 82nd Airborne Division who have been on standby. Other u. S. Forces in italy also now on alert. New video showing the bloody aftermath of the u. S. Drone strike near baghdads airport. U. S. Intelligence learned that soleimani was planning specific attacks on u. S. Interests in multiple countries including u. S. Personnel, a congressional source briefed by the Trump Administration tells cnn. Defense secretary mark esper and the secretary of state mike pompeo flew to maralago on sunday to brief President Trump on the intelligence. When the u. S. Learned soleimani was in baghdad, President Trump decided to order the attack despite concerns by some in the administration about potential iranian escalation. These images obtained by cnn showing the wreckage of the targeted killing. Pompeo telling cnn the strike saved american lives. There was, in fact, an imminent attack taking place. The American People should know this was an intelligence based assessment that drove this. Reporter but that explanation differs from the defense department. The pentagon saying in a statement this strike was aimed at deterring future iranian attack plans. The state department urging any u. S. Citizens in iraq to depart immediately. U. S. Embassies in bahrain, kuwait and pakistan all issuing alerts. Harsh revenge awaits the criminals involved in the targeted killing, irans foreign minister claiming soleimanis death will have consequences. The Trump Administration touting the celebration by some iraqis at the news. I saw last night there was dancing in the streets in parts of iraq. We have every expectation that people not only in iraq but iran will view the American Action last night as giving them freedom. While iranians instead took to the streets in protest. Barbara starr, cnn, the pentagon. Well, do stay with us as we watch these remarkable images on the streets of baghdad thronged with people honoring irans top military commander in a funeral procession. He was killed along with others in a u. S. Strike. And these the images of those streets of baghdad. The funeral procession for Qassem Soleimani. We will head to moskow for reaction from iranian ally, russia, after this short break. Stay with us. Hey. Hey. You must be stevens phone. Now you can take control of your home wifi and get a notification the instant someone new joins your network. Only with xfinity xfi. Download the xfi app today. Announcer this is cnn breaking news. Well, welcome back. Lets get you up to speed on our breaking news this hour. Funeral processions now under way for victims of the u. S. Strike on Baghdad International airport on friday. One of those victims is irans top military Commander Qassem Soleimani. U. S. President donald trump says he directed the strike because soleimani was plotting a major attack. Iran vowing revenge for what it calls an act of war. Lets goat you to moskow now for some perspective on all this. Matthew chance Monitoring Monitoring and whether soleimanis death might in some way strengthen russias position in the region, your thoughts. I think thats a good point but i think its only a temporary advantage amongst a few other temporary advantages. Look, the death of soleimani is a blow to irans influence in places like syria, for instance, where he was basically the point man on the ground. The russians knew him very well. They would have coordinated with him when it c