US and Russian Foreign Chiefs Clash Over US Killing of Iranian Commander

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The foreign ministers of the United States and Russia discussed the crisis in the Middle East triggered by the killing of the Iranian Quds Force commander through a phone call on the 3rd (local time), according to the foreign ministries of both countries.

On the 3rd, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "discussed the situation related to the killing of Commander Qasem Soleimani in the U.S. airstrike at Baghdad airport." It added, "Minister Lavrov emphasized that a UN member state acting deliberately to eliminate an official of another UN member state, especially doing so in a third country without the latter's knowledge, is a serious violation of international law principles and deserves condemnation."

Furthermore, "Minister Lavrov pointed out that such actions by the United States would have serious consequences for regional peace and stability and would not help efforts to resolve the complex issues accumulated in the Middle East, but rather lead to a new phase of heightened tensions," the statement added. It also urged, "Russia earnestly calls on the United States to abandon illegal and forceful methods to achieve its objectives in the international community and to resolve all issues through negotiations."

The U.S. Department of State also announced on the same day through spokesperson Morgan Ortagus that Secretary Pompeo and Minister Lavrov had a phone conversation. Regarding the content of the call, the State Department explained, "They discussed President Donald Trump's recent decision to take decisive defensive action by eliminating Soleimani in response to an imminent threat to American lives." The State Department further added that Secretary Pompeo confirmed that the United States still has the willingness to ease tensions related to Iran.