Iranian President Blasts Supporters of US Missile Strike on Syria

Rasa - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lambasted the countries that have rendered support for the US missile strike against a Syrian airbase in Homs province, warning that they might be the target of a similar illegal attack in future.

News ID: 428790

Date: 09 April 2017 - 22:32

RNA - "In today's world, how can the US president assume to be entitled to fire missiles from its naval fleet against al-Shayrat airbase in an independent country in the volatile Middle-East region without the UN permission, the UN Security Council's meeting and even the US Congress approval? Who has authorized the US to lead the world," Rouhani said, addressing a ceremony to commemorate the National Nuclear Technology Day in Iran on Sunday.

"Worse than that is the countries, unfortunately in our region, which cheer for the US aggression and sound applaud. (They should be told that) their turn might arrive some time (soon). Why do you hurry? Why do you applaud the oppressor and approve illegality," he added.

Rouhani said that the terrorists who behead people and children and burn them alive in cage were also among those who were pleased by the US attack on Syria.

On Thursday night, the United States launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Syrian military airfield in al-Shayrat, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city of Homs. US President Donald Trump said the attack was a response to the alleged chemical weapon use in Syria's Idlib on Tuesday, which Washington blames on the Syrian government.

Russia described the attack as an aggression against a sovereign state. Following the US military action, Russia decided to suspend its memorandum of understanding on air safety over Syria with the United States, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Syrian opposition claimed Tuesday forces loyal to President Bashar Assad had used a chemical gas on people in the Northwestern province, killing nearly 80 and injuring 200. Assad argued his government has no chemical weapons after agreeing to have them destroyed in 2013. He also ruled out having used chemicals against own people.

In his Saturday remarks, Rouhani asked for setting up a fact-finding committee to study the recent chemical attack against Khan Sheikhoun region in Syria's Idlib province.

"The (fact-finding) delegation should be formed without the US presence and heading, and it should study who has supplied the chemical weapons used in Syria, and from where," President Rouhani said, addressing a forum in Tehran.

"Based on the UN announcement, the Syrian government has no chemical weapons, therefore, it should be clarified from where these weapons have been brought," he added.

President Rouhani also condemned the US missile strikes against a Syrian army airbase in Homs province, and said, "The Americans think that they are the world's police and judges and they have made the decision themselves and judged who was the culprit (behind the chemical attack) and then taken action themselves."

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