Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Chinese colleague Wang Yi stressed that the US terror attack in Baghdad, which assassinated Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force Commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, violated the UN Charter. RNA - "[The ministers] focused on the consequences of the US strikes on the Baghdad airport, which led to casualties", including General Soleimani, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on the outcomes of the phone call between the top diplomats on Saturday.
"The ministers have stressed that the use of force in violation of the UN Charter is unacceptable. They called for all countries to respect the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of other states," Moscow said.
"The ministers have noted that the unlawful act by the USA has exacerbated tensions in the region. In these conditions, Russia and China are interested in alleviating the tensions. Both states will take joint steps with the aim to create the conditions for peaceful regulation of conflict situations," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
The top diplomats also agreed to maintain cooperation within the UN Security Council.
Also, the Chinese foreign minister said in a call with Tehran that Washington’s Iran policy is counterproductive and the killing of General Soleimani is an abuse of US military force, adding that Beijing will play a “constructive” role in the Persian Gulf.
He stressed that his nation opposes the use of military force after hearing from his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, who condemned the US’ targeted assassination of General Soleimani on Friday.
Wang stressed that the US operation was a breach of international norms and threatened to significantly increase turbulence in the region.
The Trump administration’s strategy of maximum pressure against Tehran was impractical, the Chinese diplomat added, promising that Beijing will hold an objective and fair position necessary to improve the situation in the Middle East.
A similar position was voiced by Lavrov, who spoke to Zarif on Saturday to express Moscow’s condolences over the killing of General Soleimani.
American behavior fails to address the many problems in the Middle East and only escalates regional tensions, the two diplomats agreed.
The top Iranian commander, Deputy Commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), or Hashad al-Shabi, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and several others were martyred in a targeted assassination raid by US aircraft in Iraq.
The Pentagon has announced that President Donald Trump authorized a US military strike near Baghdad's airport which resulted in the martyrdom of General Soleimani.
Iranian officials branded the airstrike an “act of international terrorism” and promised retaliation. Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has stated that the Unites States must await a tough revenge.
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