“This was a decision the United States made without the participation of the coalition against ISIS and NATO,” Interfax quoted him as saying at a press conference following an urgent meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
At the same time, Stoltenberg added that Washington provided NATO with an explanation of its decision.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General called for refraining from escalating the situation in the Middle East.
On January 4, Stoltenberg held telephone conversations with Pentagon chief Mark Esper in connection with the assassination of Suleymani during a missile attack on the United States near Baghdad Airport.
* “Islamic State” (IG) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014.