Trump, Pompeo, Islamic State 'celebrating' Soleim's death, says Iran's Zarif

Iran on Wednesday said that US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and the Islamic State (ISIS) are "celebrating" the death of Iran general Qassem Soleim, who was killed in a Pentagon-ordered strike in Iraq earlier this month, and asserted that Washington's "ignorance" and "arrogance" was fuelling mayhem in the region.

"The US looks at things from their perspective, not from the perspective of this region. The killing of Qassem Soleim shows ignorance and arrogance. 430 Indian cities saw protests against killing of Soleim," he said at the Raisina Dialogue 2020 here.

Zarif said that Soleim was the "single most effective force" against the ISIS and hence, the US is celebrating as they "did not like" Soleim.

"The US did not like General Soleim. Although, he was the single most effective force against Daesh. If you do not believe me see they are celebrating. Who are celebrating the death of Soleim, not the ordinary people, but Trump, Pompeo and Daesh," the Iran foreign minister said while referring to ISIS's Arabic name.

Talking about Iran's airstrikes at two military bases in Iraq, Zarif maintained that Tehran retailiated in "self-defence" and rebuffed Washington's claims that Soleim was planning to attack US embassies.

"Iran responded in self-defence. US accused Soleim of threatening to attack US embassies. But now we know there was no such threat...US wants to get rid of international law and that is why it talks of international rules based system," he said.

Zarif said that 10 million people turned out on streets of not only Tehran but various cities in Iran, Iraq, India and Russia, to "commemorate" Soleim. "So, the US needs to think again about our region. They are making a mistake," he added.

The Iran foreign minister called for creating hope in the region.

"We need hope in the region to end the despair that is making an entire generation in the region lose hope as they face an uncertain future. We need to create hope in the region," Zarif further said.

( With inputs from ANI )