Qatar urges de-escalation in regional tensions after Soleimani's assassination

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urges a peaceful solution to ease tensions and restore peace to the region following the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Saturday, Al Thani expressed his concern over the ongoing sensitive and worrying situation in the region in the wake of General Soleimani's assassination.

The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, slammed the "terrorist" measure by the American military forces to assassinate General Soleimani and said the US regime is accountable for the consequences of the attack.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek tension in the region, but the presence and interference of foreign and extra-regional forces are leading to instability, insecurity and an increase in tensions in our critical region,” Zarif added.

Al Thani, who also serves as Qatari deputy prime minister, held two rounds of talks with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran on Saturday about a range of issues, including the latest developments in mutual relations and regional and international issues, particularly the new situation in Iraq following the US assassination of General Soleimani.

General Soleimani along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), was assassinated during the early hours of Friday. Four other Iranians and four more Iraqis in their company were also martyred.

The Pentagon said in a statement that President Donald Trump ordered the US military to assassinate the Iranian commander.

Trump ordered killing of Iranian General Soleimani: Pentagon

President Donald Trump had ordered the US military to kill Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon has said in a statement.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force,” the Pentagon said.

US should stop ‘abusing’ use of force: China

In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the United States should stop abusing the use of force and seek solutions via dialog.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, Wang added that the risky behavior of the US military violates the basic norms of international relations, warning that it would worsen tensions and turbulence in the region, Reuters reported.

He emphasized that his country will play a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in the Middle East region.

Russia FM expresses condolences over General Soleimani's assassination

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also on Saturday spoke with his Iranian counterpart over the phone and discussed the US assassination of the top IRGC commander, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Lavrov expressed his condolences over the killing," the statement said.

"The ministers stressed that such actions by the United States grossly violate the norms of international law," it added.

In separate phone calls with Zarif, Chief Executive of Afghanistan's Unity Government Abdullah Abdullah and foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Turkey Sirodjidin Aslov and Mevlut Cavusoglu, respectively, also offered their condolences over General Soleimani's martyrdom.

The Azerbaijani and Omani foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and Yusuf bin Alawi Zarif, respectively also held separate telephone calls with Zarif, during which they offered condolences to the Iranians over General Soleimani's assassination.

The top Iranian diplomat also spoke on the phone with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim to discuss the recent developments in the Arab country and the region after the assassination. 

General Soleimani's assassination act of terrorism: Zarif tells UN chief

In a phone call with Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister said the US regime’s move to assassinate General Soleimani was a "terrorist" act.

"Given the great popularity of General Soleimani among the region’s people because of his role in the fight against terrorist groups, his martyrdom has effects and consequences that cannot be controlled by anyone,” Zarif added.

He held the "terrorist regime of the United States of America" accountable for all the consequences of the assassination.

The UN chief also voiced concern over the US move and said it would heighten tensions in the region.

Following General Soleimani's assassination, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said those who assassinated the IRGC Quds Force commander must await a harsh revenge.

Iran Leader vows 'harsh revenge' following assassination of Gen. Soleimani

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says a harsh revenge will be taken against the criminals who assassinated IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the “cruelest people on earth” assassinated the “honorable” commander who “courageously fought for years against the evils and bandits of the world.”

Read more:

• Iran will be patient in planning crushing anti-US response: IRGC commander
• Soleimani assassination tantamount to war on Iran: UN ambassador
• US assassinated Soleimani while he was guest of Iraqi govt.: Iran's judiciary
• In general's home, Ayatollah Khamenei offers condolences to Soleimani family

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