The Swiss diplomat was called in by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi on Sunday and received a strong note of protest over Washington’s threatening remarks which run counter to international norms and regulations.
“The US president’s hostile, threatening and unorthodox comments are not acceptable at all and are in complete violation of international law,” the Iranian deputy foreign minister said.
He also touched on Trump’s threat to strike Iran’s cultural centers, saying such a threat is reminiscent of the Mongols’ invasion or terrorist and criminal groups’ destruction of cultural and historical sites.
Araqchi further said that such moves are regarded as textbook examples of war crimes under international law.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not bow to any threat or intimidation, and stands fully ready to respond to any threat or act against its national security and territorial integrity,” the Iranian deputy minister added.
“History has shown that the Iranian nation will make any aggressor regretful,” he said.
“As demanded by the Iranian government and nation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to all the political and legal actions it will take, reserves the right to react to the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani at a time and place that it deems appropriate,” Araqchi noted, IFP reported.
The Swiss ambassador, for his part, said he will convey Araqchi’s remarks to the US government.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites “very hard” if Iran attacks Americans or US assets in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani.
General Soleimani, the deputy head of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha'abi, and a number of their entourage were killed in a strike by American drones near Baghdad International Airport in the early hours of Friday.
The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the assassination of General Soleimani in Iraq, saying the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump.
In a message on Friday morning, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned that harsh revenge awaits the criminals behind the martyrdom of General Soleimani.
Ayatollah Khamenei also reminded all friends and enemies of the Iranian general that the resistance path will continue vigorously, stressing that continued battle and ultimate victory will disappoint the murderers and criminals.