Colombo, January 7 (newsin.asia): The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Colombo has issued the following statement on the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani:
In the Name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful. The terrorist attack by the armed forces of the United States of America which led to the horrific assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, the
Commander of Islamic Revolutionary Corps -an official of the armed forces of Islamic Republic of Iran- at Bagdad International Airport is a clear instance of State Terrorism which shocked the region and the world at large.
In recent years and in accordance with the obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran under international law and relevant resolutions of the Security Council on combating international terrorism, Major General Qasem Soleimani had played a significant role in helping the peoples and Governments of some regional countries, at their request, in combatting and
defeating the most dangerous terrorist groups, such as ISIS, and other terrorist groups and entities designated by the United Nations Security Council.
This was widely and repeatedly acknowledged by the officials of the countries concerned.
Conducted “at the direction of the President” of the United States, the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, 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 and thus entails the international responsibility of the United States.
Such a hypocritical policy — which also runs counter to the international obligations of the United States on combating international terrorism, including those arising from the relevant resolutions of the Security Council — seriously undermines regional and global efforts in combating international terrorism.
Designation, by one State, of an official branch of the armed forces of other State(s) as a so-called “Foreign Terrorist Organization” constitutes a breach of generally recognized principles of international law and of the Charter of
the United Nations, including the principle of sovereign equality of States, and cannot, under any circumstances, justify any threat or use of force against them, including in the territory of other States.
This extremely provocative move was aimed at escalating tensions to an uncontrollable level in a region already facing numerous challenges, and it is self-evident that the United States shall bear full responsibility for all consequences.
We emphasize that the Iranian armed forces, especially the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — that have consistently been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region — are
determined, in line with the rights and obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran under international law, to continue combating terrorist groups in the region until they are uprooted completely.
It is clear that US maximum pressure policy towards Iran has destabilized the region and now US hawkish acts is putting the region on the verge of war. It is self-evident that the United States shall bear full responsibility for creating tensions and any conflict in the region.
The Iran Embassy in Colombo rejects all reasoning and references made by the officials of the United States for justifying the criminal assassination of Martyr Major General Qasem Soleimani, and condemns this heinous crime in the strongest possible terms.
