Soleimani’s death leaves US power in Middle East weakened, his former comrades warn

General Moghadam, who fought alongside Soleimani, tells Kim Sengupta that many groups across the region wanted revenge after the commander’s death

Women walk past a banner of Qassem Soleimani (AP)

General Hossein Kanani Moghadam received the news of Qassem Soleimani’s death in the early hours of the morning. He had warned Soleimani, his successor as chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, that he might become the target of an attack, and his foreboding had come true.

In the final days before Iran votes in a parliamentary election, one of the most important in its recent history and one that will have great resonance for the region and beyond, General Moghadam is reflecting on the turbulent times ahead and the long shadow of war.

“I sent Commander Soleimani a message two months ago asking him to be careful. I knew some people were suddenly very interested in his travel plans, his movements – to me it seemed worrying and I let him know,’’ the former head of the Revolutionary Guards tells The Independent.