In a recent escalation of tensions in the region, a U.S. airstrike in central Baghdad resulted in the death of a commander of an Iran-backed militia. The strike targeted a leader of Harakat al Nujaba, a designated terror group by the U.S. The attack has the potential to further increase tensions in the region, amid fears of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas spiraling into a wider international conflict.

According to an anonymous U.S. official speaking to Reuters, the strike in Iraq specifically targeted a leader of Harakat al Nujaba, which has been blamed by the American military for attacks on U.S. forces in the country. The official confirmed that a vehicle was hit in the strike, resulting in the deaths of the commander and another person.

The Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), a coalition of militias under the nominal control of the Iraqi military, released a statement confirming the death of its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, also known as "Abu Taqwa." The PMF condemned the attack as "brutal American aggression."

The strike reportedly wounded five others in addition to the two killed. It is believed that al-Saidi was driving into the garage of Harakat al Nujaba's headquarters in Baghdad when the attack took place. This incident comes at a time when there have been increasing calls in Iraq for U.S. forces to leave, with bases housing American troops being targeted in recent months due to Washington's support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.

Meanwhile, Iran has vowed to seek revenge against those responsible for a bomb attack that occurred on the previous day, killing 84 people and injuring hundreds more during a memorial ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the U.S. assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. The Islamic State has since claimed responsibility for the explosions.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack and stated that the perpetrators would face a strong response. However, no specific group or nation has been blamed for the blasts, which are considered the deadliest attacks inside Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Authorities in Iran are currently conducting investigations into the bombings, while the nation observes a day of mourning. The initial death toll, which initially exceeded 100, was later revised as some names were mistakenly added multiple times and dismembered bodies were inadvertently counted repeatedly.

The bombing in Iran further heightens tensions in the region, which have already been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Adding to the tensions, a senior Hamas official was assassinated in Beirut, with Lebanese authorities accusing Israel of being behind the attack.

The gathering in Kerman on Wednesday was meant to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020. Soleimani was the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, and his killing was ordered by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who referred to him as the "number-one terrorist anywhere in the world."