Donald Trump Sends Veiled Truce Offer to Iran After Qassem Soleimani's Killing: '...Never Won a War, But Never Lost a Negotiation'
Soleimani, who was the chief commander of Iran's Quds Force, was accused by the United States of carrying out attacks at its vital military installations in Iraq over the past several months. Several American soldiers lost their lives in the attacks conspired and executed by Soleimani, the US State Department had alleged, while justifying the pre-emptive strike.
Washington, January 3: Hours following the assassination of Iranian military leader General Qasem Soleimani in a pre-emptive strike, United States President Donald Trump sent a veiled truce offer to Hassan Rouhani-led regime in Tehran. In his one-line reaction on Twitter, Trump said Iran has never succeeded in a military confrontation, but it has also not lost out the opportunity to reconcile. Tens of Thousands Rally in Tehran Against American ‘Crimes’, Chant ‘Death to America’ Holding Posters of Slain Commander Qasem Soleimani.
"Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation! (sic)," the US President said, shortly after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini vowed of "befitting revenge". The Iran Revolutionary Guards, along with other military wings of Tehran, were called for an emergency meeting which has sparked speculations of a retaliatory attack.
See Donald Trump's Tweet
Soleimani, who was the chief commander of Iran's Quds Force, was accused by the United States of carrying out attacks at its vital military installations in Iraq over the past several months. Several American soldiers lost their lives in the attacks conspired and executed by Soleimani, the US State Department had alleged, while justifying the pre-emptive strike.
Trump Reiterated The Charge
Soleimani, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Ketib Hezbollah -- a powerful Shia militia group in Iraq region -- were killed in the drone strike near the Baghdad airport in the wee hours of Friday. The attack has received condemnation from Russia, who leads the anti-US block, calling it a blatant act of provocation.
The United Nations' Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions also criticised the US military actions, calling it "deeply unfortunate". The attack could potentially leave the Middle East in another spiral of violence, Special Rapporteur added, while also noting that such a pre-emptive strike is "violative" of international human rights.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2020 06:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).