Pompeo discusses Soleimani strike with Iraqi President again

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the US drone strike which killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani with Iraq's President Barham Salih, according to a tweet from Pompeo.

“Discussed with Iraqi President (Barham) Salih @realDonaldTrump’s decision to take defensive action to protect US personnel and interests abroad, and I reaffirmed that the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation,” Pompeo said today.

Pompeo also spoke with Salih on Friday, the State Department said. That was one of at least 12 calls he held on Friday. He also talked with Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives Mohamed al-Halbousi. He also spoke with Kurdistan Regional Government’s Prime Minister Massoud Barzani, in addition to counterparts throughout Europe and Asia.

But Criticisms have been trailing the U.S. assassination of Iranian top military commander. China, Russia have voiced their condemnations to U.S. misuse of power.

On Friday, Russian Lavrov said in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the US act “deserves condemnation” and urged Washington “to abandon illegal power methods to achieve its goals on the international arena.”

On Saturday phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who expressed condolences in connection with the killing of Qasem Soleimani said the US strike violated international laws , according to a readout posted by the Russian ministry.

“Both ministers have emphasized that US actions are in gross violation of fundamental international laws and do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems that have accumulated in the Middle East, but lead to a new round of escalation of tensions in the region.”

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