Qasem Soleimani: Iran defends airstrikes on US bases

TEHRAN – Iran has formerly defended targeted missile strikes against US bases in the Middle East, stressing that the airstrikes were proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Javid Zarif, who was on Tuesday denied VISA to the UN by the United States said the strikes targeted bases from which the US originated “cowardly armed attacks against our citizens & senior officials”. 

He said Iran does not seek any escalation or war but that it will defend itself against any aggression. 

Recalled that last Friday, the United States assassinated Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad when it launched a drone attack from one of its airbase in Iraq. Soleimani according to Iranians was on a diplomatic mission to Baghdad and his convoy was hit by US drones.  

Nine other passengers were killed in the airstrike, including Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces and commander of Kata’b Hezbollah, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Iran retaliated on Tuesday evening by launching dozens of missile attacks on two US airbases in Irbil and Al Asad, West of Baghdad.

It is not clear if there were casualties in the attacks. 

Speaking on the attacks, President Donald Trump of the United States said all is well, adding that missiles were launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. 

Donald Trump said there is ongoing assessment of casualties and damages.  He restated that so far, the United States has the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far and that he will be addressing the press today.

Speaking earlier in the week with President of Iraq Barham Salih, the Iranian  President Hassan Rouhani described “the martyrdom of Haj Qasem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and their companions” as extremely sad for the great Iranian and Iraqi nations, causing the great two nations grief.

Rouhani expressed hope that the loss would be compensated through deepening friendly relations and described the Iraqi parliament’s move to expel US troops from Iraq as important and a beginning for greater stability and security in the region.

 “There is no doubt that the blood of great generals of Resistance will cause new developments in the region and act as a factor for deeper bonds between the two nations”.

“It is necessary to stand firmly for the security, sovereignty and protection of the noble Iraqi people, and the Iranian government and nation will certainly defend the sovereignty of the Iraqi people as in the past.”

He said the Martyr Major General Soleimani made great efforts for the security of the region, Iran and Iraq, adding that but for his sacrifice and hard work, Erbil would definitely fall on the night of ISIS’ invasion”.

“Martyr Soleimani courageously stood by the Kurdish and Arab people on that night and his martyrdom was painful not only for the Iranian people but also for the Iraqis. 

“We must act in a way to let enemies know they cannot interfere with and harm the relations between the two nations”, he said in his telephone conversation with the Iraqi President.