Ending US military deployment to region best response to Gen. Soleimani’s assassination: Zarif

During a meeting with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran on Wednesday, Zarif thanked the Iraqi government for pursuing the judicial process about the assassination of the two prominent anti-terror commanders, expressing hope for the punishment of the perpetrators and organizers of the criminal act through legal proceedings.

“Putting an end to the presence of US forces in the region would be the best response to this terrorist act,” he said.

Trump’s arrest warrant, issued by Baghdad’s Rusafa investigation court on January 7, applies to the former US president under Article 406 of the Iraqi penal code, which provides for the death penalty in all cases of premeditated murder.

The court said at the time that preliminary inquiry had been completed, but “investigations are continuing in order to unmask the other culprits in this crime, be they Iraqis or foreigners.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif called for the establishment of joint economic commissions between Iran and Iraq, expressing hope that agreements reached between the two neighboring countries in the fields of industrial parks, border markets, trade and pilgrimage, transportation of goods and banking transactions would be implemented as soon as possible.  

Hussein, for his part, expressed his country’s resolve and determination to further broaden relations with Iran, stressing that Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attaches paramount significance to Baghdad-Tehran ties.

Iran’s security chief lauds arrest warrant for Trump over assassination of Gen. Soleimani

Earlier in the day, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) hailed the arrest order issued by the Iraqi court for Trump over the assassination drone strike on Lt. Gen. Soleimani and the Popular Mobilization Units deputy chairman, emphasizing that perpetrators of the terrorist crime must be harshly punished.

“We must not allow the blood of the martyrs Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani to go in vain, and organizers as well as perpetrators of this terrorist crime must be prosecuted and severely punished,” Ali Shamkhani said in a meeting with the visiting Iraqi foreign minister in Tehran.

Shamkhani also pointed to a resolution adopted by Iraq’s parliament concerning the expulsion of US-led foreign forces from the Arab country, saying its implementation will be a good prelude to their complete withdrawal from the entire region.

Anti-US sentiment has been running high in Iraq since the assassination of Lt. Gen. Soleimani, Muhandis and their companions in a US terror drone strike authorized by Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3 last year.

Iraqi lawmakers approved a bill two days later, demanding the expulsion of all foreign military forces led by the United States from the country.

“For the Iraqi government to overcome political, economic and security problems in the country, it is necessary that it boosts and consolidates its authority and sovereignty to establish law and order,” Shmakhani also said.

He added, “The main cause of instability and crisis in the region is the evil presence of foreign forces, especially American forces.”

The SNSC secretary also stressed the need to revive Iraq’s political and historical position in the Muslim world and among Arab states.

During the meeting, Hussein referred to Iran’s important role in maintaining stability and security in the Middle East region, saying expansion of all-out ties, particularly implementation of joint economic projects with Iran, is among Iraq’s top foreign policy priorities.

“The Iraqi people and government will never forget the vital support and assistance of Iranian brethren in repelling the terrorist sedition of Daesh in Iraq,” the Iraqi foreign minister highlighted.