“Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural & civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary. Jus cogens refer to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) ‘no no’,” Zarif tweeted on Sunday.

It came after Trump warned Iran that a strike on “any Americans” or “American assets” in retaliation for the assassination of the IRGC Quds Force commander, General Qassem Soleimani, would result in the US targeting 52 sites — including Iran’s cultural sites.

But deliberately targeting cultural sites or cultural heritage sites could amount to a war crime under international law.

Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also excoriated the president, tweeting, “This is a war crime. Threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and children — which is what you’re doing by targeting cultural sites — does not make you a ‘tough guy.’ It does not make you ‘strategic.’ It makes you a monster.”

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 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.

The post Targeting Iran’s Cultural Sites War Crime; Zarif appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The Swiss envoy was called in by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi on Sunday and received a strong note of protest over Trump threats that 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.

The post Swiss Envoy Summoned over Trump Attack Threats appeared first on Iran News Daily.