‘Act of Intl Terrorism’: Iran on US Airstrike Killing Soleimani

Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif said that this is an act of international terrorism from the US.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that a “harsh retaliation is waiting” for the United States after an airstrike on Baghdad airport killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, on Friday, 3 January.

The Iranian state TV carried a statement by Khamenei also calling Soleimani “the international face of resistance.” Khamenei declared three days of public mourning for the general’s death.

Apart from Khamanei, an advisor to Iran President Hassan Rouhani also warned US President Donald Trump of retaliation from Tehran, news agency AP reported.

Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called the United States’ strike a dangerous and foolish escalation. He also called the strike US’ act of international terrorism. “US bears responsibility for all consequences of rogue adventurism,” Zarif said in a tweet.

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.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

Further, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, retweeted an English professor’s post from last month, that said Soleimani was never convicted of any crime. Araghchi’s tweet also mentioned US’ treatment of the Iranian General.

World-renowned Professor Soleimani was never convicted of any crime, nor were 5 of his patients who died during the 14 months he was held hostage.
As a parting gift the US chained & handcuffed him for 12+ hrs: from the time he was roused from his cell until he was handed to Iran

— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) December 7, 2019