Iran's Special Forces Commander Ghaani said the US "cunning tricks" would not stop them from protesting.

The United States killed Major General Qassem Soleimani, commandant of Quds command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Iran (IRGC), with a drone (UAV) in early January 2020 in Iraq.

A few days after the air strike, Iran launched a missile strike to a base in Iraq, where the US was stationed, in retaliation for Soleimani's death.

Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, who succeeded Soleimani, on 1 January declared Iran "ready to respond".

Two American B-52 bombers on December 29 flew over the Middle East.

Recent tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East after top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated.

US Army Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Kenneth McKenzie in mid-December 2020 said they were ready to "react if necessary" to defend and protect allies and partners in the Middle East.