US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refuted claims that assassinated Iranian General Qassem Suleimani was on a diplomatic mission to Baghdad when he was killed by a US strike last week.
Mr Pompeo on Tuesday spoke with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed about the escalating tensions in the Gulf.
Mr Pompeo thanked Sheikh Abdullah for the UAE's partnership and for recognising the threats posed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Al Quds Force and by the Iranian regime in general.
Speaking at the State Department on Tuesday, Mr Pompeo called the claim by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif that Suleimani was on a diplomatic mission to Baghdad “propaganda of the first order”.
"Is there any history that would indicate that it was remotely possible that this kind gentleman, this diplomat of great order - Qassem Soleimani - had travelled to Baghdad for the idea of conducting a peace mission?" Mr Pompeo said, with a hefty dose of sarcasm.
But Mr Zarif has not been the only party to claim Suleimani's reason for being in Baghdad was a diplomatic one. Iraqi acting prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi claimed Suleimani was in Baghdad to meet him and deliver a response on a diplomatic proposal from Saudi Arabia. Mr Pompeo denied the existence of such proposal. "We know that wasn't true,” he said.
Mr Pompeo defended the decision to target Iran's most senior general and reiterated his view that it saved lives. But the US Secretary of State did not give further details on the “imminent plot” that Suleimani was allegedly planning with his proxy affiliates, and that the US claims would have killed US diplomats and forces.
“What we could clearly see were continuing efforts on behalf of this terrorist to build-out a network of campaign activities that were going to lead potentially to the death of many more Americans," he said.
"It was the right decision.”
Asked about targeting of Iranian cultural sites, which US President Donald Trump threatened but is considered a war crime under international law, Mr Pompeo said all US actions would stay within international law.
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Rockets launched from Iran against the US military base in Ein-al Asad in Iraq. EPA / IRIB HANDOUT -
Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin Qassem Suleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin of Qassem Suleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
An Iranian mourner burns incense during the final stage of funeral processions for slain top general Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
An Iranian mourner holds a placard during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners gather during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP -
Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets of Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom following a ceremony in the capital Tehran. AFP -
Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets of slain military commander Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom. AFP -
Newly appointed commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Gen Esmail Qaani, weeps while praying over the coffin of the force's previous head Qassem Suleimani at the Tehran University Campus in Tehran. AP -
A view of the crowds at the Azadi Square during the funeral of top Iranian general Suleimani in Tehran. Reuters -
Iranian mourners taking part in a funeral procession in Tehran for Qassem Suleimani. AFP -
Crowds at the Enqelab Square during the funeral of top Iranian general Suleimani in Tehran. Reuters -
Member of the Iranian American community of Washington DC area rally outside the State Department in Washington in solidarity with the people of Iran, Syria and Iraq who celebrate the death of Iranian official, Gen Qassem Suleimani. AP Photo -
A girl holds a sign reading “Trump is a murderer” during a condolence ceremony for Qassem Suleimani outside the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters -
A man kisses a picture of Qassem Suleimani outside the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters -
Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom. AFP -
Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force walk above a portrait of US President Donald Trump as they hold a condolences meeting following the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis in Karrada in central Baghdad. AFP -
Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force chant anti-US slogans during a protest over the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis in Karrada in central Baghdad. AFP -
Supporters of the Houthis rally to denounce the US killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, in Sanaa, Yemen. Reuters
He then accused the Iranian regime of undermining the country’s culture, not Mr Trump. “Let me tell you who has done damage to the Persian culture. It's not the United States, it’s the Ayatollah,” he said.
On Mr Zarif's allegation that the US had declined to grant a visa to enable him to address the United Nations in New York, the Secretary of State did not provide details but said Washington will be committed to its obligations under the UN requirements.
On Monday, Mr Pompeo met Saudi deputy defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss the escalating tension with Iran. The Saudi official also met US defence Secretary Mark Esper and later in the day US President Donald Trump and his advisers Robert O’Brien, Jared Kushner and Victoria Coates.
The visit was planned in response to escalation with Iran and to consult on the next steps.
