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World War 3 memes are trending after US strike on Iranian official
3 January 2020, 15:54
World War III started trending on Twitter after the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike.
The internet has the ability to turn just about anything into a meme – no matter just how serious the topic is. On Friday (3 Jan), World War III memes started sweeping Twitter following news of growing tensions between the US and Iran.
In 2018, US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from Iran's nuclear deal, which also includes the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. The deal was struck up under former US President Barack Obama. In May 2019, the US blamed Iran for damaging four of their oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, which they denied. Iran also shot down an American surveillance drone claiming it was in their airspace, although the US insisted it was in international territory.
READ MORE: The best memes of 2020 (so far)
This week (31 Dec), protesters stormed the US embassy in Baghdad and set fire to a guard tower and reception area. President Trump blamed Iran for being behind the attack.
PRESSTV EXCLUSIVE:
— Press TV (@PressTV) December 31, 2019
Video shows the moment that Iraqi protesters storm U.S. embassy in #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/gLOxV3WBNK
Why is World War 3 trending?
World War 3 started trending after Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad airport on the orders of President Donald Trump. The attack was conducted by an armed American drone, according to a US official, and eight others were also killed.
On Twitter, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani promised Iran would "take revenge" following Soleimani's death. There have already been protests in Iran and Kargil in India.
The flag of General Soleimani in defense of the country's territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 3, 2020
He tweeted: "The flag of General Soleimani in defense of the country's territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime."
Soon, the internet were posting memes about the possibility of WWIII erupting.
me when the government comes knocking on my door for the draft pic.twitter.com/gitX4Q1qHi
— James Charles (@jamescharles) January 3, 2020
Me playing dead after the first shot fired in World War 3. 😂😂😂😂😂#WWIII pic.twitter.com/1twcqqJpUx
— 🌏stay hungry stay foolish 🇨🇦🇺🇬🇰🇪 (@JimmyEriclevi) January 3, 2020
Me when I saw Franz Ferdinand trending thinking it was about the band vs realizing it’s about World War 3. pic.twitter.com/l858i8IWrC
— dåñńÿ (@dannythesalami) January 3, 2020
Me grabbing my stuff to go to Canada before world war 3 starts pic.twitter.com/08aUXqg3ok
— jorge ivan 777 (@Iowlifee) January 3, 2020
"This is the U.S army. We drafting people for World War 3. Are you American?"
— Drebae💎 (@Drebae_) January 3, 2020
Me: pic.twitter.com/sJZNPZaqd6
We really all hoped 2020 would be a peaceful year.
We’re 2 days into 2020 and World War III is trending... maybe 2019 wasn’t so bad after all
— Av (@Avkyz) January 3, 2020
me after seeing “World War 3” “World War III” “Before WW3” and “Iran” trending when ive been saying 2020 gonna be MY year pic.twitter.com/g3I734G8he
— michelle (@mmichelle_g) January 3, 2020
January 1st 2020: This is gonna be my year! Positive vibes!
— Joe (@JoeSaunders) January 3, 2020
January 3rd 2020: ‘World War III’, ‘Russia and China’, ‘US and Iran’ and ‘ISIS’ are all trending on Twitter
Me:
pic.twitter.com/F7ii4Lqmfw
#WWIII #WW3 GEN Z’s: “OMG CRAZY THIS IS THE DECADE WHERE WE GET MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY OF OUR OWN”
— Escanorthegoat (@escanorthegoat) January 3, 2020
WORLD WAR III: pic.twitter.com/ofjkzfHjvz
“WWIII” “Assasination” “Bin Laden “Pentagon” “Iran””World War III” and “United States” are all trending right now... 2020 was meant to be good vibes pic.twitter.com/m8HCr3RUrc
— dr. Sir the second (@Dsocialengineer) January 3, 2020
#WWIII
— King Lahyun (@King_Lahyun) January 3, 2020
"2020 will be a peaceful year"
World War 3:pic.twitter.com/si2dtLvNNG
Me opening twitter and seeing World War 3, #WWIII , US and Iran, ISIS, Donald Trump trending after being optimistic about 2020 pic.twitter.com/lLPPNo9tFy
— M.L (@MLxsweat) January 3, 2020
stan twitter waking up to see that #WWIII is trending after claiming 2020 as their yearpic.twitter.com/BFznVt44P5
— 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 ༄ (𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜) (@gngdreams) January 3, 2020
Everyone on twitter laughing at the world war 3 memes like pic.twitter.com/h02iSe3ijV
— Alfredo (@BrutalXL) January 3, 2020
me reading the ww3 memes on my TL right now pic.twitter.com/hDJOzUJqUj
— 🧚🏽♂️ (@impossiblefxg) January 3, 2020
#WorldWarThree
— Sairaj Sonne (@_i_am_s_s) January 3, 2020
Pic1:- Me After Seeing World War 3 Memes.
Pic2:- Me After Thinking, What If This Actually Happens. pic.twitter.com/JhItAodF2Z
I’m Laughing At The World War 3 memes but inside I’m fucking terrified #WorldWarThree pic.twitter.com/uGzeaeW4V7
— Peyton (@SadBoyXanies) January 3, 2020
Me? Fight in World War III? pic.twitter.com/2XKfN24blt
— JOE (@JXEKER) January 3, 2020
Memes aside, war is a serious matter. There are never any winners during war and masses of civilian lives could be lost – sadly, most probably on the Iranian side. Let's hope it doesn't come that.
