Pompeo, after strike kills Iranian commander, says US committed to de-escalation
The Secretary of State said that the US remains committed to de-escalation with Iran but is prepared to defend itself

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks about airstrikes by the US military in Iraq and Syria, at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2019. With him are US Army General Mark Milley and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo
The United States remains committed to de-escalation with Iran but is prepared to defend itself, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday following a US air strike in Baghdad that killed a top Iranian commander.
Pompeo, speaking in an interview on Fox News, said he could only confirm that Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, had been killed in the strike.