LAPD On Alert Amid Escalating Tension With Iran

LOS ANGELES, CA — Following an American air strike that killed a top Iranian military commander at Baghdad's international airport, police in Los Angeles were monitoring the situation, on alert against potential terrorist threats in the aftermath of the strike.

Earlier Thursday, Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. Pentagon- launched air raid okayed by President Donald Trump. According to a statement issued by the Pentagon, Suleimani was planning attacks on Americans in Iraq. Iran immediately threatened retaliation. Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for vengeance, and U.S. officials braced for possible cyberattacks and terrorism aimed at American interests and allies, reported the New York Times.

According to the New York Times, the ayatollah issued a statement calling for three days of public mourning and then retaliation.“His departure to God does not end his path or his mission,” the statement said, “but a forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands.”

The Los Angeles Police Department responded Thursday by tweeting their that they are monitoring the situation.

At 9:52 p.m, the LAPD tweeted, "While there is no credible threat to Los Angeles, the LAPD is monitoring the events developing in Iran. We will continue to communicate with state, local, federal and international law enforcement partners regarding any significant intel that may develop."

City News Service contributed to this report.