Zarif Says Iran Can Respond Any Time by Any Means to U.S. Strike

(Bloomberg) -- Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Islamic Republic’s response to the U.S. killing the country’s top military commander will come “at any time and by any means.”

In an interview with Iranian state TV, Zarif said the U.S. move was an act of “cowardly terrorism” partially based on a “deep-rooted grudge” against General Ghassem Soleimani, and also partly on Donald Trump’s re-election bid and efforts to divert attention from his impeachment.

Zarif said the consequences of the strike, which U.S. forces carried out in Iraq as Soleimani was leaving Baghdad airport late overnight on Friday, will be “broad” and will be out of Iran’s hands because of the Revolutionary Guards’ commander’s widespread popularity in the region.

Read More: Iran Options Appear Narrow as It Seeks to Avenge Slain General

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