Iran Press/ commentary: Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations and its permanent representative in the U.N sent a letter to the organization’s Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and said that Iran’s response was its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations charter and as a proportionate military response targeting an American airbase in Iraq from which the cowardly armed attack against Martyr Lt Gen Qasem Soleimani was launched.
He mentioned the operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area.
He stressed that Iran doesn’t seek an escalation of war… but the country declared that it is determined to continue vigorously and in accordance with applicable international law, defend its people, sovereignty and territorial integrity and aggression.
He reiterated the full respect of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq. In this regard, the UN. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told that for the Secretary-General it’s important that everyone respect the sovereignty and unity of Iraq.
Even the republican senators like Mike Lee of Utah called the briefing from top trump administration officials on the targeted drone strike “the worst briefing” they’ve received on a military issue in his nine years in the senate.
He stated that it’s not acceptable for officials from the executive branch to tell the senate that they can’t debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran. He furthermore called the briefing session as Un-American, unconstitutional and wrong.
Since the US has always been claiming that its presence in the Middle East region is for settling peace and security, its act to assassinate Iranian top commander Martyr Lt Gen Qasem Soleimani has been a terrorist attack itself, as General Soleimani had been the flag bearer of the fight against terrorism in the region. Thus what the US has done, is another obvious document for the US empty claims in fighting terrorism.
Above all, major General Soleimani was a top Iranian military commander of an army group officially recognized by the Islamic Republic of Iran who was the major key player in the region against all extremist groups, involving ISIS, Al Nusra and Al Qaeda, etc.
Lieutenant General Soleimani flew to Iraq in an official request by the Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to talk about the situation in the region and he was also carrying a message for Iraqis about Iran's relation with Saudi Arabia, however, assassinated in a civilian, international airport.
As well, Abu Mahdi Almuhandis who was a top Commander of Popular mobilization Forces was assassinated in his own territory along with the other six others accompanied them.
Popular mobilization forces or Hashd Al-Shaabi is an Iraqi state-recognized military organization formed in 2014 to fight against every major battle against ISIS group.
The group was formed by the Iraqi government on 15 June 2014 after top Iraqi Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani’s fatwa on sufficiency Jihad for defending Iraqi cities on June 13.
Now, who can justify the US attack to these top military officials within the territory of Iraq? The act is definitely a “state terrorism.” fully recognized in early by its commander in chief Haider al Ebadi, an ex-Iraqi Prime Minister.
Now, who can justify the US attack to these top military officials within the territory of Iraq? The act is definitely a “state terrorism” by the US consequently Lieutenant General Martyr Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis and their companion were victims of gross violations of international laws.
On the other hand, the US wasn’t allowed to launch any military attack without the official permission of the government of Iraq based on the contract between the two sides, but they dare to take action just on the order of the president of the United States.
Therefore, this was also the gross violation of the territorial integrity of Iraq. Moreover, during the recent days, Iraq’s parliament passed a resolution to request the government to expel foreign troops from the country. Then approved officially by the government to ask the U.S. forces to leave Iraq.
The above-mentioned facts and documents would simply indicate that Iran and Iraq both have their legal rights to defend their people and adopt necessary measures against what the US did in Iraq.
Written by Hasan Iran-Doost
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