If you’ve seen World War III trending across social media, you’re probably feeling a little bit worried right now. And who can blame you?
But is the world really heading for another huge war?
Tensions between the US and Iran have been brewing for years. But the election of president Trump has seen a sharp escalation of both rhetoric and actions from both sides.
What happened this time?
Following an attack on the US embassy in Iraq, which America has blamed on Iran, the US launched airstrikes against Iran. Qassem Soleimani, who leads Iran’s elite Quds force, was killed in what was deemed by the US as “defensive action.” Iran called the move "state terrorism". The killing has further escalated tensions with Iran, and it remains to be seen how they’ll respond.
Is World War III really on the horizon?
Over the next few days, we’ll likely here a lot of different opinions on what’s going to happen next. Foreign issues can be unpredictable, particularly when someone like Trump is in the White House.
The former UK ambassador to Lebanon said that the crucial question is what happened next. Though he did suggest that Soleimani was a "much more powerful figure than Osama bin Laden or Baghdadi, where at the moment of their own deaths, their power was in decline."
Former UK Ambassador to Lebanon on the US killing of Qasem Soleimani. The what happens next question. https://t.co/eHKSWTw2xR— Patrick Wintour (@Patrick Wintour) 1578032989
@Jon_S @TFletcher - former UK ambo to Beirut - tells @BBCr4today that Soleimani was a "much more powerful figure th… https://t.co/ODXS23nhwR— Olivia Alabaster (@Olivia Alabaster) 1578040962
Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley praised Trump for doing the “right thing”.
Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who… https://t.co/HKbBYP8Fyg— Nikki Haley (@Nikki Haley) 1578020001
But another former ambassador, Samantha Power, said the opposite. She even worried that things could now get “ugly” very quickly.
A flag is not a strategy. Trump is surrounded by sycophants (having fired those who’ve dissented). He has purged… https://t.co/vbSFSQ7RiN— Samantha Power (@Samantha Power) 1578023906
Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren called Trump’s move “reckless”, but emphasised that the priority must be to avoid another “costly war”.
Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckle… https://t.co/hBob7FSXt7— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1578025240
Likewise, California congressman Adam Schiff didn’t condemn the killing, but did condemn the lack of authorisation of the airstrikes and the possibility of another war.
Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him. But Congress didn’t author… https://t.co/hua7DtnyGu— Adam Schiff (@Adam Schiff) 1578025903
Joe Biden also said that the “stakes could not be higher”.
My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. https://t.co/4Q9tlLAYFB— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1578025946
Trump ally Lindsey Graham warned Iran to “leave America and our allies alone”, which sounds pretty ominous.
To the Iranian government: If you want to stay in the oil business leave America and our allies alone and stop bei… https://t.co/FrfnnfoAuj— Lindsey Graham (@Lindsey Graham) 1578021730
What is Britain's response?
In a statement that was lacking in much detail, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that further conflict is in "none of our interests".
We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.
So are we heading for another war?
The simple answer is: we don’t know – yet. What is clear, though, is that this latest escalation isn’t isolated, it’s been building for years. Trump has talked a big talk before (remember his "fire and fury" remarks about North Korea?) but this feels new.
Just three days into the new decade, it’s clear that war is a distinct possibility.