Iranian Foreign Minister tagged killing of Iran’s top general as act of international terrorism
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif lashed out at the United States late Thursday after the Pentagon confirmed that President Trump directed an airstrike in Iraq that killed one of Iran’s top generals, Qassem Suleimani.
“The US’ act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Suleimani — the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation,” Zarif tweeted Thursday. “The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism,” he said.
The commander of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was killed early Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that was authorized by President Trump, American officials said.
The commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani and several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran were killed when an American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the airport.
General Suleimani was the architect of nearly every significant operation by Iranian intelligence and military forces over the past two decades, and his death was a staggering blow for Iran at a time of sweeping geopolitical conflict.