Qassem Soleimani’s Assassination: Implications for International Peace and Security

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Iran has urged the U.N. Security Council to hold the United States and Israel accountable for the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani on the second anniversary of the fatal drone attack. Iran, Iraq, and other nations have held commemoration ceremonies to honor Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the elite Revolution's Guards' abroad arm.

Significantly, in a letter to the UN Security Council President Mona Juul, Majid Takht-Ravanchi - Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations - stressed that "Given the dire implications of this terrorist act on international peace and security, the Security Council must live up to its Charter-based responsibilities and hold the United States and the Israeli regime to account for planning, supporting, and committing that terrorist act."

Notably, Qassem Soleimani, the then-commander of the Islamic Revolution's Guard Corps (IRGC) elite Quds Force, was on a diplomatic mission in Baghdad when his convoy was destroyed by missiles fired by a US drone. Soleimani's assassination was an act of state terrorism.

Moreover, the legal department of Iran's presidential office called for "all legal actions in its authority, including publishing a resolution" to condemn the US administration and discourage similar moves in the future, in a letter to the UN General Assembly published late Saturday. US governments have demonstrated "extreme unilateralism" in their acts for years, giving them the capacity to break international laws and accords.

Most importantly, the former Israeli military intelligence chief admitted the Israeli regime's involvement in the premeditated assassination of Martyr Soleimani, stating that "Israeli intelligence played a part in the assassination and describing it as the most horrible achievement and one of the two significant assassinations during his tenure. 

In a report released in 2020, the UN rapporteur on extrajudicial killings ruled that Soleimani's assassination was "unlawful" and "arbitrary," and that it violated the UN charter. This international unlawful criminal act constituted a major breach of the United States' international law responsibilities, implying that it bears international responsibility.

This criminal act also implies the criminal responsibility of all those who aided, and assisted the preparation or execution of this terrorist attack, with the Israeli regime's supportive role and involvement being a clear example. Martyr Soleimani, who was properly awarded the titles of Hero of the Fight against Terrorism and General of Peace, played a great role and important contribution in combating worldwide terrorism.

Iran has condemned Soleimani's assassination as state terrorism and pledged to remove the US military's presence in the region as its ultimate retaliation while asking Iraq to evacuate US troops from its soil. Furthermore, the Islamic Republic has also promised to bring all of the criminals to justice, including Trump (Salman, 2021). 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, lauded Soleimani for "having a solid awareness of the enemy and its resources and weapons. Without a shred of fear and with entire power and intellect, he would enter the field of war and perform remarkable operations. With all his heart and soul, the dear general of the Iranian country withstood all the sufferings on the route to his aspirations. Throughout his life, he was extremely conscientious about his obligations towards the Iranian and Islamic nations. Qassem demonstrated that one can be concerned about both his own country and the Islamic nation at the same time".

"In his unceasing endeavors, the great General of the Iranian country displayed an extraordinary level of daring and bravery while also being sensible. The adversaries used to believe that if Soleimani, Abu Mahdi, and their companions were martyred, the war would be over. But, thanks to the blessings of that priceless, innocent blood, the United States has now withdrawn from Afghanistan. It was compelled to pretend that it wanted to withdraw its forces from Iraq and establish a consultative role with no military presence. Of course, the Iraqi brothers should keep a close eye on the situation. The Yemeni Resistance is gaining ground. In Syria, the adversary is at a stalemate with few prospects for the future. Overall, the region's Resistance and anti-imperialist movement are stronger, more active, and more hopeful than it was two years ago".

His assassins, including Trump and others, will be forgotten in history and thrown out with the rubbish, but only after receiving justice in this life for the crimes they did. He was a supra-factional revolutionary commander whose mission was to save Islam and Muslims from evil, corruption, and persecution. “The enemy was attempting to dim the Resistance's light with that atrocity. However, the miracle brought about by the blood of these magnificent heroes allowed the Resistance to advance and the enemy to be forced back on all fronts of battle".

The US government holds "definitive international responsibility" for this crime, according to international and legal standards. All of the terrorist crime's agents, instigators, contributors, and perpetrators are held accountable in this context.