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Trump warns Iran against killing envoy Lana Marks to avenge Soleimani, Internet says 'hide before they get you'

Intelligence reports stated that Iran is plotting to avenge the killing of Qasem Soleimani by murdering the US ambassador to South Africa

President Donald Trump, on Monday, September 14, denounced the alleged assassination threats against US ambassador to South Africa, Lana J Marks, and vowed that any such attack by Iran would be met with a response "1,000 times greater in magnitude." The Republican's statement comes hours after US intelligence reports stated that Iran is plotting to avenge the killing of their top general Qasem Soleimani. Unnamed officials, in a media report, stated that Iran is allegedly plotting to assassinate Marks before the US presidential elections in November.

Trump, in a tweet on September 14, wrote: "According to press reports, Iran may be planning an assassination, or other attack, against the United States in retaliation for the killing of terrorist leader Soleimani. Any attack by Iran, in any form, against the United States will be met with an attack on Iran that will be 1,000 times greater in magnitude!"

Shortly after Trump's tweet, Iran on Tuesday, September 15, warned the US to not make a "strategic error." Government spokesperson Ali Rabiei, in a statement, said: "We hope that they do not make a new strategic mistake and certainly in the case of any strategic mistake, they will witness Iran's decisive response."

Hours after Trump's tweet, Soleimani began trending on social media as many slammed the president for using the months-old incident to strengthen his political narrative just weeks before the presidential elections. There were others who called the US drone attack against Soleimani unconstitutional. One Twitter user wrote: "CONVENIENT TIMING. Trump's faux outrage toward Iran is all very conveniently timed to coincide with the election. The Soleimani incident happened 9 months ago & now < 2 months from the election Trump is turning it into an international drama. Anything to distract from reality."

While another added: "Narrator: After 5 weeks, the Dept of Defense was still unable to prove claims of an imminent attack by Soleimani as justification for not consulting Congress. 'Future' was insufficient. Failure to obtain Congress's approval made the act unconstitutional." A third wrote: "Iran is most likely coming for "you!" Not us! You fu**ing killed Soleimani unprovoked! you think you can do whatever you want. They have a bounty out for you!! You should resign and hide before they get you! Stay and they'll find you."

The Iranian general was killed by a US drone strike in January. President Trump, after Soleimani's killing, had noted that the general had been plotting to attack American diplomatic missions. The Republican, in January, said: "They were looking to blow up our embassy. I can reveal I believe it probably would've been four embassies." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the time of the attack, had said that the US killed Soleimani in an effort to re-establish a deterrent against Iran. 

Reports state that the alleged plot to assassinate Marks, 66, has been detailed in intelligence papers, which have been seen by the American government and intelligence officials. Reportedly, there have been threats against the ambassador since spring. However, intelligence details on the alleged plotting have come more specific in the past few weeks. While it is not yet certain why Iran wishes to target Marks, speculation suggests that it could be because of her long-standing friendship with President Trump. An attack on Marks would make it personal for the president. The ambassador has reportedly been alerted of the threats against her.