Mahathir Likens US Assassination of Gen. Soleimani to Saudi Khashoggi Murder
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad drew parallels between the US assassination of top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani and the 2018 murder of Saudi dissident and columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Both killings took place “across boundaries”, were in breach of laws and constituted immoral acts, Mahathir told a press conference in the administrative capital of Putrajaya Tuesday, Bloomberg reported.
“We are no longer safe now,” he said. “If anybody insults or says something that somebody doesn’t like it’s alright for that person from another country to send a drone and perhaps have a shot at me.”
Mahathir warned that the US strike outside Baghdad’s airport could lead to escalating terrorism.
“We find that such action can be taken by this very powerful gentleman against the laws of this country, against the laws of the world,” Mahathir said. “And at this moment we can do nothing about it.”
Lt. General Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was the deputy head of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha'abi (PMU), 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 claimed responsibility for the assassination of General Soleimani in Iraq, saying the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump.
In a message on Friday morning, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned that harsh revenge awaits the criminals behind the martyrdom of General Soleimani.
Ayatollah Khamenei also reminded all friends and enemies of the Iranian general that the resistance path will continue vigorously, stressing that continued battle and ultimate victory will disappoint the murderers and criminals.