Where will Iran strike back against the U.S.?

Before Soleimani’s death, the Quds Force he headed was reportedly creating new African capabilities for retaliating against the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign. Soleimani established terror cells designed to hit U.S. and other Western targets on the continent.

Soleimani’s death could slow this plan, but his successor, Esmail Qaani, reportedly ran the Quds Force’s Africa operations previously, suggesting he could seamlessly continue Soleimani’s project. Iran has also used Africa before: Kenyan authorities have arrested Iranians for involvement in two separate terror plots against Israeli targets in Kenya, so operations there would be a return to familiar territory.

Surely, Tehran recognizes that Africa is one of the easiest regions in the world in which to launch a deniable attack. African terrorist groups have proliferated recently, giving Iran plenty of choice if it seeks a partner to serve as the face of an attack.