Soleimani’s assassination crisis .. The world is falling apart to contain a vow of war

The circle of international reactions widening the implications of the killing of the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, General Qassem Soleimani, with an American raid that targeted him in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, before dawn last Friday, which sparked fears of war in the region.

In the latest developments, Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef bin Alawi confirmed today in Iran that the United States wants to calm tensions in the region, adding that "the Americans are constantly trying to work to reduce tension, during their permanent contacts with us."

"We are now in a major catastrophe that affected everyone, Qasim Soleimani provided very useful services," bin Alawi was quoted by the Iranian Mehr News Agency as saying at the Tehran Forum for Regional Dialogue held at the Bureau of Political Studies at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Oman has friendly relations with the United States and Iran, and it has previously mediated between the two countries, which cut diplomatic ties between them after the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Because of the escalating tension between Washington and Tehran, the Japanese Prime Minister intends to go to the Gulf region next week.

A cause for concern
For his part, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Rapp said that it was a matter of concern that if war broke out, it would be very destructive.

Rapp added that his country is looking to defuse tensions with Iran, considering that there is a need to find a diplomatic track on Iran.

The Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani had telephoned his British counterpart Rapp, during which they discussed the latest regional developments.

The Qatari and British ministers also discussed the situation in Iraq and ways to resolve contentious issues in the region.

In a context related to the assassination crisis of Soleimani, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called on Islamic countries to unite to protect themselves from external threats.

Mahathir Mohamad described the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, as an immoral act.

He said that targeting Soleimani with an air strike with a drone is contrary to international law, and that it may lead to an increase in so-called terrorism, warning that the policy of cross-border assassinations will not leave a leader in the world safe for his life.

Defensive measures
This comes while a US State Department statement said that Minister Mike Pompeo received Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Washington.

The statement said the two sides discussed President Donald Trump's decision to take decisive defensive measures to protect Americans abroad.

The statement stated that Pompeo thanked his Saudi guest for his country's continued support, and its work with the United States to address the threat posed by the Iranian regime.

Pompeo stressed that Washington is not seeking war with Iran, and is committed to stopping the escalation. In advance, he thanked the Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense for his continuous efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.

The American network CNN quoted a Saudi government source as saying that the Saudi authorities expressed concern about the escalation that followed the killing of Qassem Soleimani, and stressed that they do not want chaos in the region.

The source pointed out that Saudi Arabia was a target before, and it could be a target again.

Soleimani, Deputy Chairman of the Popular Mobilization Authority, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and others accompanying them, were killed in a missile attack on two cars on the road to Baghdad Airport on the third of this month.

The assassination of Soleimani became the world’s talk among condemnations, welcome and demands to reduce escalation, an Iranian threat and an American anticipation that intends to move a brigade of rapid intervention into the Middle East.