European powers expressed solidarity with the United States over the targeting of anti-ISIS coalition forces in Iraq. They highlighted their concern about Iran’s interventions across the Middle East. But they also called for de-escalation after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike early on January 3 (January 2 U.S. time). “We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility,” said the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in a joint statement.
Russia and China, however, criticized the U.S. move. Russia’s foreign ministry called the drone strike an “adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region.” China’s foreign minister said the strike violated the “basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence.”
Reactions from the Middle East were mixed. Israel said it fully supported the United States. Turkey said it opposed assassinations and foreign interventions in general. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates called for calm. Iran’s ally, Syria, called the strike a “treacherous, criminal American aggression.” The following are international reaction’s to Soleimani’s death.
Britain, France and Germany
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Angela Merkel
We have condemned the recent attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and are gravely concerned by the negative role Iran has played in the region, including through the IRGC and the Al-Qods force under the command of General Soleimani.
There is now an urgent need for de-escalation. We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility. The current cycle of violence in Iraq must be stopped.
We specifically call on Iran to refrain from further violent action or proliferation, and urge Iran to reverse all measures inconsistent with the JCPOA.
We recall our attachment to the sovereignty and security of Iraq. Another crisis risks jeopardizing years of efforts to stabilize Iraq.
We also reaffirm our commitment to continue the fight against Daesh [so-called ISIL], which remains a high priority. The preservation of the Coalition is key in this regard.
We therefore urge the Iraqi authorities to continue providing the Coalition all the necessary support.
We stand ready to continue our engagement with all sides in order to contribute to defuse tensions and restore stability to the region
—Jan. 6, 2020, in joint press statement
United Kingdom
Secretary of State Dominic Raab
“We’re on the same page with our American partners; we’ll continue to talk to them.”
“Let’s be very clear: he was a regional menace, and we understand the position that the Americans found themselves in, and they have a right to exercise self-defence. They have explained the basis on which that was done, and we are sympathetic to the situation they found themselves in.”
—Jan. 5, 2020, in an interview with Sky News
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
“General Qassem Suleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region.”
“Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and western personnel, we will not lament his death. It is clear however that all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region and they are in no one’s interest.”
—Jan. 5, 2020, according to The Guardian
France
President Emmanuel Macron
Given the recent rise in tensions in Iraq and the region, the President of the Republic highlighted his total solidarity with our allies in light of the attacks carried out in recent weeks against the coalition in Iraq
He also expressed his concerns regarding the destabilizing activities of the Quds force under General Qassem Soleimani and highlighted the need for Iran... to avoid taking any measures that could lead to an escalation in the situation and destabilizing the region.
—Jan. 5, 2020, statement from Macron’s office regarding Macron’s phone call with President Donald Trump, according to Reuters
Europe Minister Amelie de Montchalin
“We have woken up to a more dangerous world,”
“In such operations, when we can see an escalation is underway, what we want above all is stability and de-escalation. Our role is not to take sides, but to talk with everyone.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, in an interview with RTL Radio
Germany
Chancellor Angela Merkel
We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation. We are making use of our diplomatic channels to Iran and to other states in the region.
—Jan. 3, 2020, in press statement through spokesperson Ulrike Demmer
Russia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The killing of Soleimani ... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region… Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people.
—Jan. 3, 2020, Ministry press statement, according to RIA Novosti
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Konstantin Kosachev
“The killing of Gen. Soleimani in Baghdad in no way contributes to the improvement of the situation in Iraq and the entire Middle East.”
“This is a big mistake stemming out of a typical American habit of personalizing any problem. Saddam (Milosevic, Yanukovych, Gadhafi …) should be removed and things will settle down. But this is a logic of a show, not that of politics. It doesn’t work in the long run but may boomerang against the directors of the 'show.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, in a Facebook post by Kosachev, according to Al Monitor
China
Foreign Minister Wang Yi
“The dangerous U.S. military operation violates the basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence.”
—Jan. 4, 2020, in conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuan
“We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, quoted from a daily news briefing
Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
“Soleimani is an individual who proved himself and one who was accorded extraordinary value by [Iran’s Supreme Leader] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. I believe that the killing of a state’s commander cannot go unanswered. The choice that [the United States] made was ill advised and has increased tensions.”
—Jan. 6, 2020, in an interview with CNN Turk
Foreign Ministry Statement
Turkey has always been against foreign interventions, assassinations and sectarian conflicts in the region.
—Jan. 3, 2020, written statement to press
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
“The killing of [Qasem] Soleimani poses a serious risk to peace in the region… “We will work with other countries to reduce tensions between the U.S. and Iran.”
—Jan. 6, 2020, to reporters at Foreign Ministry Directorate of E.U. Affairs, Ankara
Egypt
Foreign Ministry
The Foreign Ministry is following with great concern accelerating developments in Iraq, which augur an escalation it is important to avoid. For this reason, Egypt calls for containing the situation and avoiding any escalation.
—Jan. 3, 2020, in a written statement to the press
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“I want to clarify again — Israel is completely on the side of the U.S. in its struggle for security, peace and self-defense.”
—Jan. 5, 2020, according to NBC
The United Arab Emirates
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash
“In light of the fast-evolving regional developments, it is a must to advance wisdom and prioritize political solutions to confrontation and escalation.”
“The issues that the region faces are complicated and accumulated, suffering from the lack of trust between the parties involved. Rational action requires a calm approach, free of emotional reactions.”
—Jan.3, 2020, written statement on Twitter
Syria
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
Syria strongly condemns the “treacherous, criminal American aggression” that led to the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani.
—Jan. 3, 2020, according to state news agency SANA