World U.S. launched Baghdad airstrike that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani January 2, 2020 Deirdre Shesgreen and Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY Comments Off on U.S. launched Baghdad airstrike that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani The Defense Department said it conducted the attack at President Donald Trump's order as a "defensive action" against Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.