Trump: "The Elimination of Soleimani Is for America's Justice"

by Na Juseok

Published 10 Jan.2020 15:31(KST)

Updated 10 Jan.2020 15:55(KST)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 9th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, as "American justice."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Trump stated during an election rally held in Toledo, Ohio, "Last week, the United States took bold and decisive action to protect Americans and to deliver American justice."

Earlier, the U.S. eliminated Soleimani at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. The U.S. military deployed drones in the air to wait for Soleimani and his entourage, then fired multiple missiles to eliminate them. Amid accusations that the U.S. assassinated Soleimani during the operation, the U.S. government has denied this, stating it was a measure to prevent an imminent terrorist attack.

President Trump also claimed that if he had not sent additional troops when Iran-backed militias used violence and attempted to surround and enter the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, an incident similar to the assassination of the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in 2011 would have occurred.

President Trump said, "Soleimani was actively planning new attacks and was targeting not only Baghdad but also the U.S. Embassy," adding, "The United States stopped such attempts by making him a cold corpse."

President Trump also emphasized that there were no U.S. military casualties despite Iran's attacks. He told his supporters, "How many U.S. soldiers died or were injured? No one died or was injured."

Furthermore, regarding Soleimani, President Trump described him as "a bad guy, thirsty for blood," and said, "Now that he is dead, he can no longer commit terrorism." He then turned his criticism toward the Democrats, saying, "Yet the Democrats are angry about the removal of this terrible terrorist."