Al-Monitor | Alireza Noori: A strong wave of anti-Americanism swept Iran following the US assassination Jan. 3 of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Although the fever pitch of that sentiment isnt likely to last, its consequences will be reflected in Iran's domestic and foreign policy.
The first repercussion is a change in Irans political alignment: Conservatives and hard-liners are growing stronger, while Reformists and moderates are losing ground.
Even Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who often favors diplomacy over a hard approach, insisted Jan. 7 that Irans retaliation must cause the United States pain. Outside Iran, many officials and media in the United States, Europe and the Middle East have commented that Iran is ready for a tough confrontation.