General Qasem Soleimani, a senior officer of the Iranian army, has been gunned down on the direction of President Donald Trump. This has reached the zenith of tension between Iran and the United States. Many international experts are making the current situation as the worst phase in recent years and are believed to be rising global volatility. India is also keeping a close watch on the situation. In the event of a war between Iran and the United States, not only can India face many economic challenges but also make a lot of struggle to reconcile the two countries. In December 2019, last month, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the US and Iran.
In a meeting of foreign and defense ministers between India and the United States, the US was ready to exempt India over Iran's Chabahar Port. It was believed that they were not paying too much attention to the relations between Iran and India. However, India has wholly stopped buying oil from Iran. Nevertheless, for many reasons, it is crucial for India. The biggest reason is that Iran will need to stop Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan. Iran's supreme religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei has said that they will definitely take vengeance form the US. Soleimani's shown path and his work will not be closed. We will avenge this murder in every situation. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has threatened the US to face serious consequences. In a tweet, he said, the US has targeted General Qasem Soleimani, who took the eagerness to fight from a terrorist organization like ISIS, al-Nusra, and Al-Qaeda. This is America's terrible and senseless act. The US will be responsible for it.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi has said that airstrikes at Baghdad airport violate Iraq's sovereignty. It will lead to war in Iraq, the Gulf region as well as all over the world. He said the airstrike had broken the conditions of the US army's presence in Iraq.
The Pentagon has said that the airstrike was carried out after US President Trump's directive. In contrast, Trump's former cabinet aide and US envoy to the United Nations and US citizens of Indian origin Nikki Haley have supported the US forces' action. "Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist whose hands were dyed with the blood of American citizens," Nikki Haley tweeted. All should be appreciated at the end of what they want peace and justice. We are proud of President Trump for this correct and sturdy decision.'
According to news agency Reuters, China has said it opposes the use of the army in international relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry passed on both sides, especially the United States, to exercise restraint and not to take any steps to increase tensions in the region. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said peace and stability should be maintained in the Middle East. Russia has also given a befitting us action to increase tensions. The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it would further enhance tensions in the Middle East region. We have our condolences to the Iranians who have lost true right defenders as Soleimani.
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