Tehran: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe revenge” after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic’s Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad Friday.
“Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years,” Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Soleimani, also declaring three days of mourning.
Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif, took to Twitter to condemn the killing, terming it an “extremely dangerous and a foolish” escalation. He said that Washington bears responsibility for all consequences of its “rogue adventurism”. “The US’ act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani–THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al–is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism,” Zarif tweeted.
The US on Thursday carried out a strike near Baghdad’s international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.
Washington had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.
The strike has escalated the tensions between the United States and Iran. The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
The US has vowed to take action against the breach by protestors. Earlier in the day, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said it’s time for Iran to start “acting like a normal country”.
With inputs from ANI and PTI
Also read: Top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani killed in US airstrike in Baghdad
POTUS may be able to use State resources to bolster security for his properties in the US but what about Trump properties abroad? When hybrid warfare is the MO, expect to see retaliation on the lowest hanging fruit, first. This is a big security concern.
The US follows no international law and bullies nations who do not toe it’s line. India must stop seeking approval from it and support it’s civilisational ally Iran.
Trump’s strategy to win 2020 elections, is terribly familiar.
Twitter Indians who carefully followed the war on Daesh in Syria and Iraq, would be very familiar with the importance of General Qassem Soleimani and PMF . Respect to Iran who has had the forbearance of Saints. Must be noted that General Soleimani helped USA in the aftermath of 9/11. Politicians have selective memory.
An act of war.