American analyst: Assassination of General Soleimani undermines U.S. international credibility

Pars Today — An American analyst described the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani as a unilateral action that escalated instability in West Asia.

Lt. General Soleimani, commander of the IRGC Quds Force, was martyred on January 3, 2020, near Baghdad Airport in a U.S. airstrike while visiting Iraq at the official invitation of Iraqi authorities. The attack also martyred Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU/Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi), along with eight of Soleimani’s companions.

Giorgio Cafiero, a West Asia analyst, told IRNA that General Soleimani was recognized in Iran and parts of the region as a patriotic defender against ISIS, and that his elimination reduced the prospects for constructive dialogue between Tehran and Washington.

According to Pars Today, Cafiero added that U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and support for Israel’s war against the Islamic Republic were not driven by genuine concerns over nuclear proliferation, but rather by expansionist motives aimed at weakening Iran.

Cafiero emphasized that Israel’s goal has been to turn Iran into a weak, subjugated state, similar to Lebanon or Syria, and noted that efforts to restart a war in 2026 are still possible.

The American analyst stressed that such unilateral and disruptive actions have undermined Washington’s credibility as a responsible international actor and weakened global security.

He added that the only way to achieve long-term stability in West Asia is through respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law, and good-faith diplomacy among all actors, including Iran and the United States.

Cafiero also noted that Iran’s reciprocal responses to U.S. and Israeli actions, including missile strikes on military bases, demonstrate Tehran’s readiness to defend its national sovereignty and counter any aggression.