Reactions to the killing of Iranian general in a U.S. air strike

Here are some reactions to the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, in a U.S. air strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. 

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF 

Zarif said the assassination of Soleimani was “an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.”

“The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism,” he said in a post on Twitter. 

U.S. SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY 

Murphy, a Democrat, said while Soleimani was “an enemy of the United States,” the killing could put more Americans at risk.

“One reason we don’t generally (assassinate) foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed,” Murphy said on Twitter. 

“That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight.” 

FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS NIKKI HALEY 

“Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands,” Haley said on Twitter. “His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. “Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing.”

MOHSEN REZAEI, FORMER COMMANDER OF IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS 

“He joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America,” Rezaei, who is now the secretary of a powerful state body, said in a post on Twitter.