MEA urges 'restraint & calm' over assassination of Iran's top commander Soleimani by US

After Iran and US confirmed death of top Iranian Commander Qasem Soleimani by a Pentagon strike on Baghd's international airport on directives of US President Donald Trump, India, in a statement called for calm and restraint over prevailing situation. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ackwledging death of senior Iranian official, asserted that peace, stability, and security of region are of utmost significance to New Delhi. 

MEA in a statement said, "We have ted that a senior Iranian leer has been killed by US. increase in tension has alarmed world. Peace, stability, and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that situation does t escalate furr. India has consistently vocated restraint and continues to do so."

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Iran's commander killed

Pentagon anunced that airstrike on Baghd's airport to kill Soleimani was on directions of US President. In a statement, Pentagon said, "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout region." It said Soleimani "h orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over last several months."

airstrike also killed Iraqi Shia militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. attack comes in retaliation to attack on US Embassy in Baghd this week. In aftermath of attack, Iran's Supreme Leer Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting." In a similar tone, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asserted that Iran will take "revenge" against US. 

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Soon after, impact was seen on oil prices that jumped over 4% on Friday after senior Iranian and Iraqi military officials were killed. US urged its citizens to 'immediately' leave Iraq citing  "heightened tensions in Iraq and region." Furr, Israel put its military on high-alert.  attack drew condemnation from Syria as it called act a "treacherous, criminal American aggression". While pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Leban said called it a "war."  attack drew condemnation from Syria as it called act a "treacherous, criminal American aggression". While pro-Hezbollah newspaper in Leban said called it a "war."

Soleimani's IRGC, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by Donald Trump in April last year, backed Syrian President Bashar al-Ass in 2011 civil war and to battle Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIS). Soleimani h been rumoured de several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed or military officials in rthwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Ass. Rumours circulated in vember 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leing forces loyal to Ass as y fought around Syria’s Aleppo.

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