Millions of Iranians Attend General Soleimani’s Funeral in Tehran
The mourners streaming from all the adjoining streets descended on the iconic Enqelab (Revolution) Square in central Tehran on Monday morning, carrying portraits of General Soleimani who was assassinated in a US airstrike near Baghdad airport early Friday.
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was the leader of the special prayers said for the deceased at University of Tehran.
All Iranian officials and many foreign ambassadors and diplomats, including Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas Resistance Movement Ismail Haniyeh also attended the funeral.
The funeral ceremony was held in Tehran after similar processions held in the Iraqi cities of Najaf, Karbala, and Kadhimiya, and also in the Iranian cities of Ahvaz and Mashhad, where millions mourned the senior commander’s demise.
The unprecedented Tehran processions were widely covered by almost all mainstream media in the world, which compared the funeral to that of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.
The people attending the funeral chanted anti-US slogans and called for a “hard revenge” against Donald Trump and his act of terrorism against a top Iranian commander.
What follows are photos of the huge turnout:
Ayatollah Sistani Condoles with Iran Leader on Loss of General Soleimani
In a message on Sunday, the senior Iraqi Shiite cleric offered his condolences to Ayatollah Khamenei on the loss of General Soleimani.
Ayatollah Sistani said he was deeply saddened by the news of martyrdom of the highly-revered commander of the IRGC Quds Force.
“The deceased’s exceptional role throughout years of battle against the elements of Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and the extensive troubles he endured in this path are unforgettable,” Ayatollah Sistani said in the message.
The top Iraqi cleric also expressed his condolences to Ayatollah Khamenei, the family of General Soleimani, the Iranian nation, and to the people of Kerman –the late Iranian general’s hometown.
General Soleimani, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and a number of their entourage were killed in a strike by American drones near Baghdad International Airport in the early hours of Friday.
The White House and the Pentagon confirmed that the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump.
Iran Hails Iraqi Parliamentary Resolution on Expulsion of US Troops
In a telephone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart on Sunday evening, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the parliamentary resolution on putting an end to the presence of American military forces in Iraq is of great significance and marks a new beginning for the promotion of regional stability and security.
In an extraordinary session on Sunday, Iraq’s parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to expel foreign troops from the country after the US assassinated top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani and the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike on January 3.
In the telephone conversation, President Rouhani emphasized that martyrdom of the great commanders of the axis of resistance would cause a new upheaval in the region and cement the relationship between Iran and Iraq.
Highlighting the age-old relations between the two neighbours, Rouhani said, “It is necessary for us to stand firm to protect the great Iraqi people’s right to security, sovereignty and supremacy, and the Iranian nation and government will definitely defend Iraq’s sovereignty like before.”
“We must act in such a way that the enemies realize that they could not harm the relations between the two nations,” Rouhani told the Iraqi president.
“The Iraqi government and nation have had difficult days, and I hope that the Iraqi government’s efforts and prudence would result in stronger security, stability and unity in that country,” President Rouhani added.
He finally paid tribute to General Soleimani for standing with the Iraqi Kurdish and Arab people when the ISIS terrorist group invaded Erbil a few years ago, saying the late commander made unwavering efforts to ensure security in Iran, Iraq and the region.
In turn, President of Iraq Barham Salih took a swipe at the US for the criminal assassination of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, saying the two neighbors are faced with a big sedition.
“I hope that we could overcome such big sedition successfully under the wise handling of the Islamic Republic’s officials and would be able to establish peace and stability in the region,” the Iraqi president added.
Pointing to the close and historical bonds between Iran and Iraq, Salih underlined that “unity and friendship” between the two neighbors will greatly contribute to the establishment of regional security.
Iran Summons German Envoy over Support for US Strike
Following the untrue, thoughtless and destructive remarks that a number of German officials have made in support of the US’ terrorist assault on Iraq which led to the martyrdom of General Soleimani and his entourage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Germany’s charge d’affaires on Sunday in the German ambassador’s absence, and expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strong protest against such one-sided stances.
In the meeting, director of the Second Department for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry highlighted General Soleimani’s influential and decisive role in establishing stability and security in West Asia, adding, “Martyr General Soleimani is revered as a hero of the fight against terrorism and Daesh (ISIS) not only in Iran, but also at the regional and international levels. Thus, such one-sided and unacceptable stances (from German officials) run counter to the traditional cooperation between the two countries (Iran and Germany) and also to the regional stability and security.”
For his part, the German charge d’affaires affirmed General Soleimani’s popularity in Iran, saying he will convey Iran’s protest to Germany immediately.
Iran Announces Final Step in Reducing JCPOA Commitments
According to a statement released on Sunday, the Islamic Republic of Iran would no more observe any limitations in the operational spheres under the JCPOA, namely in the uranium enrichment capacity, percentage of enrichment, the volume of enriched materials, and research and development.
Following is the text of the statement:
For the fifth step in reducing its commitments, the Islamic Republic of Iran abandons the last key point of the operational restrictions under the JCPOA, namely the “limitation on the number of the centrifuge machines”. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program will be no more subject to any restrictions in the operational sphere (including the enrichment capacity, percentage of enrichment, the volume of enriched materials, and research and development), and from now on, Iran’s nuclear program will go on only according to its technical needs. Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency like the past. In case the sanctions are lifted and Iran enjoys the benefits of the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be ready to return to its JCPOA commitments. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is obliged to take the necessary measures and make the necessary arrangements in this regard in coordination with the President.
January 5, 2020
Iran Parliament to Declare as ‘Terrorist’ US Military Worldwide
The parliament has already passed a motion proclaiming as terrorist the US military forces in Middle East.
Now a number of MPs are preparing a double-urgency motion based on which the US Army throughout the world will be declared as terrorist, so that the Islamic Republic will enjoy more freedom to fight them, Abolfazl Hassanbeigi said.
The move comes after the US assassination of IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani in an area near the Baghdad International Airport early Friday.
Iran: US Forces in Region Like Piece of Meat under IRGC’s Teeth
Iran Says Soleimani’s Assassination Tantamount to US-Britain 1953 Coup
Hailing General Soleimani as “surpassed by no one in terms of defending the region’s security” and “a great man in the history of Iran and the region,” Larijani said “everybody witnessed Soleimani’s acts of valor in cracking down on ISIS terrorists.”
“He rushed to the help of the people of Iraq and Syria at the request of their governments, and rid the people in the region of the terrorists with a meticulous plan,” the Parliament Speaker said Sunday.
Larijani noted that the Iraqi nation’s celebration of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was assassinated alongside Soleimani during the US attack, indicates their role in the security of the region.
“That Mr Trump stated that the Iraqi and Iranian nations have celebrated the terror attack shows how out of touch they are with the realities of the region,” he added.
Describing the terrorist attack as “tantamount to the 1953 coup”, Larijani dismissed the US officials’ rush into stating that they took a preventive measure through the terror attack as “a cover-up for law of the jungle”, insisting that the US officials must present their documentation if they have any.
Larijani went on to say that the US action was against the international rules. “The brutal act of President of United States counts as a war crime within which lies disrespect for the nation of Iraq. They did it with no permit, overnight, and in a stealthy manner.”
He added that the Parliament will follow up on the punishment of the criminals.
Your rude foreign minister has flung you into this bottomless cesspit. You jeopardized the security of the region with what you did, Larijani warned President of the United States Donald Trump.
“Now in front of Iran you are trapped in a cesspit several times bigger than the size of Europe,” Larijani added.
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5
Iran Newspapers
Abrar:
1- Guardian: Hopes for Revival of JCPOA Undermined with Assassination of Gen. Soleimani
2- Zarif: US Regime Responsible for Consequences of Gen. Soleimani’s Assassination
Afkar:
1- Rouhani: US Will Pay Heavy Price
2- Dance of Death, Trump‘s Strategic Mistake
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Private Consultations in Tehran
* Qatari FM Came to Tehran to Learn about Iran’s Reaction to US Move
Arman-e Melli:
1- Glorious Funeral Held for Gen. Soleimani in Iraq
Ebtekar:
1- World Shocked by Martyrdom of Top General
2- Rouhani: Gen. Soleimani Was a Politician and Strategist
Etemad:
1- Rouhani: Iranian Nation Has Right to Avenge Soleimani’s Assassination
2- Iraqis Bid Farewell to Commander of War on ISIS, Urge Fight against Occupiers
Hemayat:
1- Washington Afraid of Iran’s Harsh Revenge
Javan:
1- Trigger of Revenge from Kashmir to Mediterranean
* Our Response Will Definitely Be Military
2- Cries of Vengeance, Calls for Expulsion of US Usurpers in Iraq
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Iraq Unified for Expulsion of US Forces
2- Zarif: We’ll Respond to US Whenever and in Whatever Way We Deem Possible
Kayhan:
1- Revenge from US to Be Decisive, Make Them Regret
Sazandegi:
1- Why Foreign, Persian Social Media, TV Channels Justify Terrorism?
* When Positions of Martyr, Murderer Are Exchanged
Setareh Sobh:
1- People of Ahvaz, Mashhad to Bid Farewell with Martyr Soleimani Today
2- Markets Shocked by Assassination
3- Trump Opted for Military Option in a Meeting, Influenced by His Advisors
Shargh:
1- Trump Worried about Iran’s Reaction
2- Waiting for Iran‘s Decision
* Regional Officials Call Zarif
Iran: US Forces in Region Like Piece of Meat under IRGC’s Teeth
Speaking at a televised program on Saturday, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said all American military bases across the Middle East are within reach of Iran.
He said the US military bases around Iran that once presented a threat to the Islamic Republic have now become an “opportunity”, noting that all of those bases, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, are within reach of the Iranian missiles with pinpoint accuracy.
The general also made it clear that Iran could annihilate the American aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf with its powerful missiles that have a range of 300 kilometers.
