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Thekilling of Iranian Major General andQuds Force commanderQasem Soleimani in Iraq by the United States brought strong reactions from around the world.
A BBC article on 9 July 2020, has a link to the Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (5 June – 3 July 2020) which states:
"Accordingly, in light of the evidence that the US has provided to date, the targeting of General Soleimani, and the deaths of those accompanying him, constitute an arbitrary killing for which, under IHRL, the US is responsible. The strike was in violation of Art. 2(4) of the UN Charter with insufficient evidence provided of an ongoing or imminent attack. No evidence has been provided that General Soleimani specifically was planning an imminent attack against US interests, particularly in Iraq, for which immediate action was necessary and would have been justified. No evidence has been provided that a drone strike in a third country was necessary or that the harm caused to that country was proportionate to the harm allegedly averted. While there is information suggesting that the US requested, at least in December 2019, that Iraq take action against Kata'ib Hezbollah, no evidence has been provided that Iraq was consulted on how to alleviate any threats posed to the US arising from the visit of General Soleimani, such that Iraq should bear the burden of addressing those threats. No evidence has been produced that there was no time for the US to seek aid from the international community, including the UNSC, in addressing the alleged imminent threats. Major General Soleimani was in charge of Iran military strategy, and actions, in Syria and Iraq. But absent an actual imminent threat to life, the course of action taken by the US was unlawful."[1][2]
Supreme LeaderAli Khamenei declared threedays of mourning,[3] and vowed to take "harsh revenge" against the U.S.[4][5]
PresidentHassan Rouhani also said that Iran "will take revenge".[6]
Foreign MinisterMohammad Javad Zarif posted on Twitter that the attack was "an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation" and released a statement saying that "the brutality and stupidity of American terrorist forces in assassinating Commander Soleimani ... will undoubtedly make the tree of resistance in the region and the world more prosperous."[7] But in theleaked audiotape, he declared that "by assassinating [Soleimani] in Iraq, the United States delivered a major blow to Iran, more damaging than if it had wiped out an entire city in an attack".[8]
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, thePermanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, wrote in an official letter to theUnited Nations Security Council and Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres: "by any measure, is an obvious example of State terrorism and, as a criminal act, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including, in particular, those stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations".[9]
Minister of Information and Communications TechnologyMohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi compared Trump toISIL,Hitler, andGenghis Khan, also calling him a "terrorist in a suit."[10]
Former IRGC commanderMohsen Rezaee posted that "[Soleimani] joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America."[7] Soleimani's daughter Zeinab Soleimani said during her father's funeral that "the families of the American soldiers in western Asia will spend their days waiting for the death of their children."[11]
On 4 January, a red flag unfurled above the dome of Jamkaran Mosque in response to the airstrike, that according toWashington Examiner, symbolizes vengeance.[12] While being broadcast onIran's Channel One, the eulogist at Soleimani's funeral procession addressed a crowd during processions atMashhad and called for a bounty of US$80 million (roughly US$1 for every Iranian citizen) to be placed on Donald Trump.[13][14]
On 7 January,Iran's parliament approved a €200 million increase in the Quds Force's budget, to be used in two months.[15] Iran's parliament also voted to declare theUnited States Armed Forces to be aterrorist organization.[16]
On 8 January, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani praisedQasem Soleimani's merits on fighting ISIS,al-Nusra andal-Qaeda and announced, Iran's "final answer to his assassination will be to kick all US forces out of the region".[17][18]
ThePeople's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, an exiled Iranian militant group, welcomed the killing of Soleimani.Maryam Rajavi, the head of theNational Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), stated that the killing is an "irreparable blow for the regime of the mullahs"[19] while she accused Soleimani of being "one of the biggest criminals in Iran's history" and "personally implicated in the massacre of thousands of people in the region".[19]
The exiledTudeh Party of Iran condemned the airstrike, while simultaneously criticizing the Iranian regime for intervening in both Iraq and Lebanon.[20]
Reza Pahlavi, heir to the throne of theShah of the defunctImperial State of Iran, strongly backed the airstrike and killing of Soleimani saying that it is "a breakthrough that is positive for the region."[21]Outgoing Prime MinisterAdel Abdul Mahdi condemned the attack, calling it an assassination and stating that the strike was an act of aggression and a breach of Iraqi sovereignty which would lead to war in Iraq and declared three days of national mourning.[22] He said the strike violated theagreement on the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq and that safeguards for Iraq's security and sovereignty should be met with legislation.[23] The media office of the Iraqi military's joint operations forces posted a photo of a destroyed vehicle on fire after the attack.[24] The speaker of Iraq's parliamentMohammed al Halbousi vowed to "put an end to U.S. presence" in Iraq.[25] On January 5 in reaction to the airstrikes theIraqi parliament passed a bill calling for the expulsion of US troops from the country.[26]
Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of theSadrist Movement and theSaraya al-Salam militia, ordered his followers to "prepare to defend Iraq".[27] He later called for ceasefire.[28]
After theIranian missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq, Iran-backed Iraqi militia commanderQais Khazali said that Iran had made its initial response for the United States killing its top general, and it was now time for Iraq to give its initial response to the assassination ofPopular Mobilization Forces's deputy commanderAbu Mahdi al-Muhandis.[29]
On 24 January, several hundred thousand Iraqis protested against U.S. military presence in Iraq and called for them to leave the country after Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for a "Million Man March." Iraqi PresidentBarham Salih tweeted, "Iraqis insist on a state with complete sovereignty that will not be breached."[30]
In January 2021, a judge in Baghdad's court issued an arrest warrant for President Donald Trump.[31]
Sheikh Kataib, a leader of Iran-backedKata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada militia said Soleimani’s assassination had “greatly affected” the morale of Shia-aligned outfits across the region, told this reporter during a trip to Baghdad in 2022, “Qassem would come and say hello to the leaders. But then he also said hello to the cooks and cleaners; he would kiss them. He was a supporter of the oppressed. These men died poor when they could have earned so much.”[32]
President Trump tweeted pictures of theAmerican flag shortly before the United States confirmed its responsibility for the attacks, at 3:00 a.m. GMT on 3 January 2020 (6:00 am in Baghdad).[33] In a subsequent public statement he said he had authorized the strike because Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. He added, "We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war."[34] He also said that he did not seek a regime change in Iran.[35] On 4 January, Trump tweeted that 52 Iranian targets (representing the 52 American hostages in the 1979–1981Iran hostage crisis) had been selected if Iran "strikes any Americans, or American assets".[36][37] In the same tweet, Trump also mentioned targeting Iranian "cultural sites", an act that would constitute a violation of international law under theHague Convention, but not if used by Iran as cover for weapons that could target U.S. interests.[38] Trump insisted he would not hesitate to destroy such targets even after some said it could be considered a war crime.[39]
On the day of the strike, U.S. secretary of stateMike Pompeo asserted the attack was ordered by Trump to disrupt an "imminent attack" by Soleimani operatives, although subsequent reports on that rationale were mixed.[40][41][42][43] After the strike, Pompeo tweeted a video he said showed Iraqis celebrating Soleimani's death on the streets ofBaghdad, although the video showed no more than 40 individuals among a crowd of thousands and the minor demonstration ended within two minutes.[44] In a tweet, former National Security AdvisorJohn Bolton called the airstrike "a long in the making, decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide ... Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran."[45] Vice President Mike Pence claimed without evidence that Soleimani was involved in the9/11 attacks.[46][47][48]
US Ambassador to the United NationsKelly Craft wrote a letter to theUN Security Council in which she said that the act was one ofself-defense.[49] At the same time, she wrote in the letter that the US stood "ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran, with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime."[49]
When asked about the possible responses that Iran could take to this action, former Deputy Secretary of DefenseMichael Mulroy said that the IRGC Quds Force has a worldwide reach and that targets would include American civilians, and that Iraq might decide to expel U.S. forces in their country.[50] Former Defense Secretary and CIA DirectorLeon Panetta warned that the U.S. is closer to war with Iran than at any time in the last 40 years.[51]
Characterizing the attack as "murder", "assassination", "act of war", or something else proved controversial.[52][53] Some critics of Trump described the attack as awag the dog incident to distract from impeachment proceedings,[54] parallel to the bombing of Iraq,Afghanistan, andSudan by presidentBill Clinton during his own impeachment process,[55] which had itself been seen as reminiscent of the contemporaneous filmWag the Dog.[56] In 2011 and 2012, Trump asserted that President Obama would start a war with Iran to improve his reelection chances.[57][58]
According to a Facebook spokesperson,Instagram and its parent companyFacebook were picking up posts "that voice support for slain Iranian commanderQasem Soleimani to comply with US sanctions".[59]
American politicians reacted along party lines.Republicans generally supported the mission, whileDemocrats blamed Soleimani "for the deaths of hundreds of American servicemen during the Iraq war" but questioned the wisdom, timing, and motivation for the attack.[60]
Senate Majority LeaderMitch McConnell celebrated the attack, referring to Soleimani as "Iran's master terrorist".[61]House of Representatives SpeakerNancy Pelosi referred to the strike as "provocative and disproportionate", and introduced a "war powers resolution" requiring Trump's administration to end hostilities with Iran not approved by Congress within 30 days.[62]
All the Democratic candidates for the2020 U.S. presidential election, political challengers to Trump, largely condemned the airstrike. Former Vice PresidentJoe Biden warned of further escalation and said that Trump "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox".[63] SenatorBernie Sanders said that "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."[63] SenatorElizabeth Warren described the attack as a wag the dog, an attempt by Trump to distract from the impeachment process through an act of war.[54]South Bend, Indiana MayorPete Buttigieg said the Trump administration must plan for possible consequences before taking action, must ensure its action is supported by its allies, and must take only actions that will benefit U.S. national interests and stability in the region.[64] RepresentativeTulsi Gabbard called the airstrike an act of war by President Trump and a violation of theU.S. Constitution, arguing that the president does not haveCongressional authorization for such an act.[65] At theseventh Democratic Party presidential debate hosted byCNN and theDes Moines Register atDrake University inDes Moines,Iowa, the candidatesBernie Sanders,Tom Steyer, andPete Buttigieg favored a complete U.S. disengagement from the region, whileJoe Biden andAmy Klobuchar defended retainingspecial forces in Iraq.[66] Meanwhile, President Trump used the killing of Soleimani to promote hisreelection campaign, in which he defended the action at rallies inToledo andMilwaukee.[67][68]
Sanders, along with RepresentativeRo Khanna, announced that they would be introducing legislation to prevent the use of Pentagon funding for military action in Iran without Congressional approval.[69]Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the SenateArmed Services andForeign Affairs Committees, said, "Congress must act to stop President Trump from entangling America in yet another unnecessary war in the Middle East."[70] In June 2019, Kaine had introduced a resolution to require Congressional authorization before going to war with Iran,[70] and on 3 January 2020 he introduced a similar resolution.[71] Kaine's counterpart,Mark Warner (D-VA) said it is not clear that the Trump administration has a clear plan to prevent another endless war in the Middle East.[72]
SenatorRand Paul (R-KY) criticized the airstrikes, saying that it will increase tensions between the two countries.[73] Fox News'sTucker Carlson criticized the killing and "chest-beaters" who promote foreign interventions, particularly SenatorBen Sasse (R-NE). He asked, "By the way, if we're still in Afghanistan, 19 years, sad years, later, what makes us think there's a quick way out of Iran?"[74]
New York City MayorBill de Blasio expressed strong concerns about potential retaliatory strikes,[75] putting the police department on high alert, including the potential of bag checks at subway stations and vehicle checks at tunnels and bridges.[76] MayorMuriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. said she did not see any immediate threats, but she reminded citizens to report any suspicious activities.[77]
President of theCouncil on Foreign Relations,Richard Haass, called the airstrike potentially "the most significant development" in the region since theIraq War, and called for the U.S. to prepare for an Iranian retaliation.[78]Oona A. Hathaway, a professor of international law at Yale Law School, evaluated the various legal justifications the Trump Administration gave for the airstrike, compared the attack with similar events of the past and concluded that, "the Soleimani strike defied the U.S. Constitution. If Congress fails to respond effectively, the constitutional order will be broken beyond repair, and the president will be left with the unmitigated power to take the country to war on his own—anywhere, anytime, for any reason."[79]
Medea Benjamin (the founder of anti-war advocacy groupCode Pink) and Hillary Mann Leverett (a political risk consultant and former director of Iran affairs at the White House's National Security Council) called the assassination of Soleimani "flatly illegal".[80][81]
Some members of theUnited States Congress, which generally was not consulted or briefed before the Soleimani strike, sought to restrict the president's ability to conduct future military operations against Iran without congressional consent. On 6 January 2020, House Speaker Pelosi announced plans to hold a vote within the week on limiting President Trump'swar powers concerning Iran.[82] On 8 January 2020, Pelosi announced that a vote will be held by the entire U.S. House of Representatives on 9 January to limit President Trump's war powers concerning any future escalation of conflict with Iran.[83][84][85] TheHouse Rules Committee cleared the way for a full House vote by approving parameters which set up a two-hour debate on 9 January.[86] The House vote is considered significant, as theU.S. Constitution provides that while the president may use the military to defend the country, anydeclaration of war must be approved by Congress.[87] Trump criticized the effort, arguing that congressional approval should not be needed to militarily engage Iran "because you have to be able to make split-second decisions sometimes."[88]
On 9 January 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives considered the measure and eventually voted 224–194 to approve it.White House Deputy Press SecretaryHogan Gidley criticized the resolution's passage, calling it "just another political move" and an attempt to "hinder the President's authority to protect America and our interests in the region ..." It was unclear if the resolution was binding or non-binding and whether the Senate would ultimately approve it;House Minority LeaderKevin McCarthy called it a "meaningless vote" while Democrats insisted it sent a strong message that Trump must work with Congress on national security.[89][90][88]
Theconstitutionality of the resolution is unclear since theU.S. Supreme Court limitedlegislative veto with theImmigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha decision in 1983 in a majority opinion written byChief JusticeWarren E. Burger. Defense Secretary Esper argued that the President has full authority to attack Iran in response to attacks by Iraqi proxy militias under the 2002Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq andArticle II of the Constitution, and has discouraged Congress from adopting the resolution.[91][92]
On 13 February, the U.S. Senate voted 55–45 to constrain Trump's ability to wage war on Iran without congressional approval. The bipartisan vote for theIran War Powers Resolution included eight Republican senators. Trump threatened to veto the resolution.[93]
On 14 February, in an unclassified memorandum[94] to Congress, the Trump administration said it was authorised under both the Constitution and the 2002 Authorisation of Use of Military Force Against Iraq. The Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Engel said "The 2002 authorisation was passed to deal with Saddam Hussein. This law had nothing to do with Iran or Iranian government officials in Iraq. To suggest that 18 years later this authorization could justify killing an Iranian official stretches the law far beyond anything Congress ever intended," adding that he "looked forward" to Pompeo testifying in a February 28 hearing.[95]
On 11 March, the U.S. House voted 227–186 for the Senate's resolution, sending the Iran War Powers Resolution to the President.[96]
On 6 May, Trump vetoed the Iran War Powers Resolution and issued a statement regarding the veto.[97] The Senate attempted to override the veto the following day, needing at least 67 votes to override. The override failed with a vote of 49–44.[98]
Characterization of the attack as "murder", "assassination", or an "act of war", led to some controversy and debate.[99][100] Jan Goldman ofThe Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, a leading expert on the role of ethics in intelligence operations, argued that the attack met the criteria for "assassination", adding that "killing anyone on foreign soil that is not a battlefield could be considered unethical".[101]Peter Singer, Australian moral philosopher and professor of bioethics atPrinceton University, concluded that if the attack counts as an act of war, then Trump did not have the authority to order it, otherwise, "as anextrajudicial assassination that was not necessary to prevent an imminent attack, it was both illegal and unethical".[102]
The hashtags #WorldWarIII and #WWIII trended on social media, along with concerns that themilitary draft might be reinstated.[103] Many Internet memes on the topic became popular on sites such as Twitter andTikTok.[104] The U.S.Selective Service System website crashed with many looking for information on draft requirements and exemptions. The agency attributed the crash to "the spread of misinformation".[105][106]
Members ofCatholic communities in the United States particularly raised concerns about its morality.[107][108]Sojourners Community leaderJim Wallis called the attack "not justifiable" and "immoral".[109]
Documentary film director and activistMichael Moore opposed the assassination.[110]Hollywood actorsRose McGowan andJohn Cusack criticized Trump's airstrike, with McGowan describing Americans as "being held hostage by a terrorist regime," while Cusack remarked that Trump was in "full fascist 101 mode."[111]
NATO temporarily suspended its training mission in Iraq on 4 January. A spokesperson said in an emailed statement, "The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary."[112]
United NationsSecretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the escalation and called for leaders to "exercise maximum restraint".[113]
Argentina: The government said they were "worried about the escalating situation in the Middle East". It also said the Argentine people acknowledges terrorism ever since suffering two terrorist attacks in the past (theIsraeli embassy attack andAMIA bombing), and urged all parties to diplomacy and restraint.[114] On 4 January 2020,Argentine PresidentAlberto Fernández ordered the armed forces to secure the borders and reinforced security at the main airports, the American airliners and the U.S. embassy in response to the operation.[115]
Australia: Prime MinisterScott Morrison said he was concerned over the events and calls for calm and de-escalation in the region.[116]
Brazil's presidentJair Bolsonaro said he supports any "initiative against terrorism", also reaffirmed his support for U.S. President Donald Trump in the action.[117][118] Subsequently, theBrazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a communiqué, assumed his "support for the fight against the scourge of terrorism ..."[119][120]
Canada urged restraint and de-escalation of the tensions, but it also said it has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, led by Soleimani, whose "aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond".[121] However, theConservative Party of Canada underAndrew Scheer, the opposition party in theHouse of Commons, welcomed Soleimani's death and stated "Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has long been a tool of repression and violence in Iran and across the world" while further calling Soleimani who "was at the centre of IRGC operations and bear responsibility for violence, destruction and a destabilizing influence across the Middle East." The CPC asked theJustin Trudeau-ledLiberal government to label IRGC as a terrorist organization.[122]
China appealed for restraint from all sides, "especially the United States", stating that China has always opposed the use of force in international relations.[123] During the meeting in Baghdad on 6 January, Zhang Tao, the Chinese Ambassador, said to Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister al-Mahdi that "China is keen to increase security and military cooperation in Iraq".[124]
France deputy minister for foreign affairs,Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio, "We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous."[125] According toAgnès Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing, "the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violates international human rights law". She said the U.S. is required to confirm "the individual targeted constituted an imminent threat to others." Callamard also described the killing of other individuals alongside Soleimani as "unlawful"[126]
Germany advised that the Middle East has reached "a dangerous escalation point" and the conflict can only be resolved diplomatically.[127] German foreign ministerHeiko Maas said that the airstrikes had not "made it easier to reduce tensions", but noted they "followed a series of dangerous Iranian provocations".[125] Part of the German military contingent in Iraq was moved to other countries due to "safety concerns".[128]
India'sMinister of External Affairs & Foreign AffairsSubrahmanyam Jaishankar had expressed serious concerns over ongoing tensions inIran.[129] He said, "India remains deeply concerned, and will stay in touch."[130][131] He also had telephonic conversation with both countries' foreign ministers, Mohammad Javad Zarif and U.S. Secretary Mike Pompeo, on the present situation in Middle East, and highlighted India's stakes and concerns.[132][133] India further urged both countries to be restraint and maintain peace.[134][135] Shia groups in India also organised protest against the killing of Soleimani inNew Delhi,[136]Kargil,[137]Budgam,[137]Lucknow[138] andPune.[139]
Indonesia'sMinistry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement requesting parties to refrain from further violent actions, and called on Indonesian citizens in Iraq to "remain vigilant".[140]
Italy's prime ministerGiuseppe Conte stated that his government target is to "avoid further escalation". He also added that a "European action is necessary" to prevent that rising tensions could fuel further "terrorism and violent extremism".[141] However, opposition leaderMatteo Salvini applauded the killing of Soleimani, whom he called, "one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms".[125]
Japan announced its Prime Minister,Shinzo Abe will visit Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates between 12 and 15 January. About the killing, Japan expressed concern and that Abe expects to "contribute to peace and stability in the region through diplomatic efforts to ease tensions."[142] The trip was canceled due to the Iranian strikes on a U.S. base in Iraq on 8 January.[143]
South Korean government was monitoring the security situation of around 1,600 South Koreans living in Iraq.[144][145]
Mexico’s government was concerned about the recent events in Iraq and Iran and asked all parties involved to act with restraint and avoid escalating regional tensions.[146]
Russia's Foreign MinisterSergei Lavrov stated that, "U.S. had embarked illegal power move" and condemned the air strike saying that it believed the incident will raise Middle East tensions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswomanMaria Zakharova said that, "Washington was looking to remake the Middle East, a call Moscow would have made in the heady days of the regime change wars that first started in Iraq in 2003 under George W. Bush's 'pre-emptive strike' policy."[147][148][149] According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, "Russia has offered Iraq their S-400 air defense system to protect their airspace".[150] Since the start of the country's civil war nearly nine years ago, that was the second time, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin arrived in Damascus meeting withBashar al-Assad on 7 January.[151]
Saudi Arabia called for restraint and said the events in Iraq were the result of previous "terrorist acts".[152] During a press conference on 6 January, Foreign MinisterFaisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that Saudi Arabia was "very keen that the situation in the region doesn't escalate any further."[153]
South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation,Naledi Pandor, stated: "It is crucial for all sides to remain calm and desist from taking any further action that will exacerbate the already fragile situation. South Africa emphasises its principled view that conflicts should be resolved through political dialogue rather than resorting to the use of force".[154]
Turkey said that it believed that the air strike increases insecurity and instability in the region and that it was deeply concerned by the rising tensions between the United States and Iran.[155] Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his distaste for external interference, which he said destabilizes the region.[156] Erdogan denied Russian media reports that he had described Soleimani as a "martyr" in a phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.[157].jpg)
United Kingdom encouraged all involved parties to react with caution, saying "further conflict is in none of our interests."[127] However, British foreign ministerDominic Raab noted that his government had "always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force".[125]Shadow Foreign SecretaryEmily Thornberry condemned the actions of theUnited States government. She said that she shed no tears over the death, but was fearful of escalating tensions in the region.[158]
Afghanistan'sgovernment released a statement calling for both parties to prevent further escalations and resolve the crisis through negotiations, and noted that Afghan PresidentAshraf Ghani had requested to Pompeo that U.S. bases in Afghanistan not be used against other countries, in accordance to the bilateral security agreement between the two countries.[159]
Albania's Prime MinisterEdi Rama stated that "as a country which recognized a while ago Iran's nefarious activity against the free world, and took clear distance from it, Albania cannot but strongly approve the stance of the US president towards a malicious activist of Teheran's regime. We stand firm with the US and hope everyone does so."[160] Later in the week Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced that Albania was a "small, diabolical country",[161] referring in part to the presence of MEK political refugees in Albania.
Armenia's Foreign Ministry stated: "We are deeply concerned about the recent events in Baghdad, which also led to human casualties. They can further increase the threat to peace in the region and destabilize the situation in the Middle East and beyond. Armenia is in favor of defusing the situation exclusively by peaceful means." Prime MinisterNikol Pashinyan on his Facebook page advised "homegrown politicians who want to spread panic…to sit quietly in their places."[162]
Azerbaijan's Foreign MinisterElmar Mammadyarov discussed over the telephone with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif issues of growing tension in light of recent events in the region. "The Azerbaijani side calls on all parties involved to refrain from violence and to be committed to commitments to strengthen regional security. Minister Mammadyarov expressed deep condolences to the leadership and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the death of General Soleimani," the Foreign Ministry said.[162]
Bahrain called for de-escalation.[163]
Belarus's Foreign Affairs MinisterVladimir Makei has called on all the parties to show restraint and strive for de-escalation of tensions, and also stressed the need to comply with the principles of international law in order to ensure sustainable international security in global and regional terms.[164]
Bulgaria called for de-escalation.[165]
Cuba's government has condemned the airstrike strongly, the use of missiles for targeted assassination as being "in clear violation of International Law and Iraq's sovereignty."[166]
Denmark's prime ministerMette Frederiksen called it "a really serious situation". She avoided question on whether the killing was right, instead called for de-escalation.[167] Denmark have about 130 troops in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition there, and following the Iraqi parliament's vote to ask them to leave, Minister of Foreign AffairsJeppe Kofod said: "We are in Iraq to fight ISIL. And that task is not done."[168] Following thesubsequent Iranian missile strikes, Denmark temporarily withdrew soldiers to Kuwait, leaving about 30–40 troops on the hitAl-Asad Airbase.[169]
Egypt'sForeign Ministry appealed to both Iran and the U.S. to avoid any further escalation and was following developments in Iraq with great concern.[170]
Finland's presidentSauli Niinistö commented that the attack could lead to a cycle which will be difficult to stop and that its effects could be felt even outside region.[171]
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not release a statement butDavid Zalkaliani wrote on his Twitter: "We condemned the recent violent provocative attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. The United States has a legal right to protect its citizens. It is also time for diplomacy to … ease tensions."[162]
Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying that "Greece is monitoring the developments in Iraq with great concern. The stability of the country and the wider region remains a priority as well as the avoidance of any further escalation. Only this will enable the Iraqi people to return to normal everyday life, free from violence and terrorism. The situation calls for composure and sobriety".[172]
Israel's prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu praised the air strike, saying that Trump had acted "swiftly, forcefully and decisively". He affirmedIsrael's alliance with the U.S., saying "Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defense."[127][173][174] Israel will conveneits security cabinet on 5 January to discuss increased threats due to the killings. They have warnedHamas and other groups inGaza Strip against responding. Hamas had earlier expressed "sincere condolences" to Iran's leadership and praised Soleimini's support for the Palestinian struggle.[175] The IDF spokesperson expressed that "Israeli army had no role, this was an American-executed operation."[176]
Kazakhstan's Foreign Affairs MinisterMukhtar Tleuberdi expressed concern about the aggravation of situation in the region. He urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent an escalation of the tension and to seek political and diplomatic ways of resolving the conflict.[177]
Lebanon condemned the attack as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and an escalation against Iran, while calling for Lebanon and its vicinity to be spared from the repercussions of the incident.[178]
Malaysia said they were deeply concerned over the situation following the airstrikes and called on all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalate tensions.[179]Mahathir Mohamad,Prime Minister of Malaysia, compared assassination of Soleimani withassassination of Jamal Khashoggi and said it was "illegal" and "immoral".[180]
Pakistan urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, engage constructively to de-escalate the situation, and resolve issues through diplomatic means, in accordance with UN Charter and international law.[181] Foreign MinisterShah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used in a regional conflict.[182] Shia groups in Islamabad and Karachi protested against the strike.[183]
Philippines PresidentRodrigo Duterte ordered the country's military to prepare to evacuate Filipino citizens from Iraq and Iran "at any moment's notice".[184] According to Presidential SpokesmanSalvador Panelo, Duterte decreed that the Philippines would side with the United States, its close military ally, if Filipinos are "harmed" in the Middle East.[185]
Qatar's foreign minister,Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on a two-day visit to Tehran (3–4 January), said the situation is 'delicate and worrying' and called for easing tensions and calm.[186]
Slovakia called for de-escalation. Slovak army in Iraq was also relocated to Kuwait.[187]
Syria'sForeign Ministry strongly condemned the "treacherous, criminal American aggression" that led to the killing of Soleimani, according to a statement released by news agencySANA.[127][188]
United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign AffairsAnwar Gargash called for wisdom and political solutions over confrontation and escalation.[189]
Venezuela condemned the air strike saying that it believed the incident will raise Middle East tensions.[190]Venezuelan National Assembly anddisputed interim presidentJuan Guaidó said that Soleimani "led a criminal and terrorist structure in Iran that for years caused pain to his people and destabilized the Middle East, just as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis did withHezbollah". Guaidó also accusedNicolás Maduro of allowing him and his Quds Forces to incorporate their sanctioned banks and companies in Venezuela.[191]
Yemen'sGovernment praised the Assassination as an "important step to end conflict in the region",[192] while the Iran-backedHouthis condemned the attacks and called for "swift reprisals".[193][194]
Kosovo Prime MinisterRamush Haradinaj announced that "Kosovo stands firm in support of the U.S. in its right to self-defense".[195]
African National Congress secretary-general,Ace Magashule, issued a statement describing the killing of Soleimani as an act of "international terrorism" by the United States and appealed "for maximum restraint" so as encourage a peaceful outcome. Magashule called on the United Nations to take action against the American "act of international terrorism."[196][197]
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve issued a press release suggesting military activities beyond protecting their own personnel would be paused. "We are now fully committed to protecting the Iraqi bases that host Coalition troops. This has limited our capacity to conduct training with partners and to support their operations against Daesh and we have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review."[198]
Hamas, thede facto government of theGaza Strip, sent condolences upon Soleimani's death and condemned the airstrikes.[199] On 4 January, hundreds in Gaza Strip, joined by leaders of Hamas and thePalestinian Islamic Jihad faction, mourned Soleimini's death. Israeli and American flags were placed on the ground for people to step on, and then the flags were burned.[200]
Hezbollah Secretary GeneralHassan Nasrallah said that "the shoe of Qassem Soleimani is worth the head of Trump and all American leaders", adding that the response must be the expulsion of U.S. forces from the region.[201]
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has praised the killing of Soleimani and described the general's demise as an act of divine intervention that benefitted jihadists.[202]
Taliban in Afghanistan condemned the killing of Soleimani, describing it as "American adventurism" and hailing Soleimani as a "great warrior".[203]
National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces welcomed Soleimani's death, a man they blame for thousands of deaths in thenearly nine-year-old civil war.[204]![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(January 2020) |
Global oil prices rose moderately in reaction to Soleimani's death to heights not seen for three months,[205] before falling back.[206][207]Arms company stocks (Northrop Grumman,Lockheed Martin andRaytheon) also rose in the wake of the event.[208]
A number of anti-war rallies were held in more than 30 U.S. cities were set byCode Pink and theANSWER Coalition for Saturday night, 4 January, asking the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.[209] Thousands marched in 70 cities across the country inNew York City,Chicago,Washington, D.C. and others.[210] Similar demonstrations took place inLondon,[211]Berlin,[211]Prague,[211]Moscow,[211]Vancouver,[211][212]Toronto,[211][213]Ottawa,[211]Montreal,[211]Istanbul,[211]Sana'a,[211]Islamabad,[211]Karachi,[211]Lahore,[211]Tokyo,[211]Seoul,[211]Kargil,[137]Budgam,[137]New Delhi,[136]Lucknow[138] andPune.[139]
InLos Angeles, where alarge number ofIranian Americans reside, praised the death of Soleimani[214][215] while celebrations took place inBaghdad,[216]Toronto[217] andIdlib.[218]
On 3 January 2021, thousands of Iraqis demanded American forces to withdraw from the country during protests inLiberation Square, Baghdad, a year after the assassination of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The anniversary of their deaths in Baghdad was also marked in Iran as well as by supporters in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and other Middle East countries.[219]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)If culturally prominent sites were targeted, the Trump administration might argue they were being used to covertly stockpile weapons that could target U.S. interests and personnel in the region.
Political reaction fell along familiar party lines — buoyant praise from many Republican lawmakers and a string of Democratic statements that criticized Soleimani, blamed for the deaths of hundreds of American servicemen during the Iraq war, before questioning the wisdom of Trump's move.
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