Iran’s Zarif congratulates Soleimani on receiving medal of honour

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif yesterday congratulated Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Quds Force, Major General Qasem Soleimani, on receiving the Order of Zulfiqar medal of honour.

In a letter, Zarif hailed Soleimani’s efforts in “the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region and the world” Iran’s ISNA news agency reported.

“Dear brother, Major General Qasem Soleimani, I extend my sincere congratulations to you for receiving the Order of Zulfiqar from the Commander [Khamenei],” Zarif wrote in his letter.

Soleimani is responsible for Iran’s foreign military operations and played a prominent role in the conflict in Syria, led militias in Iraq and is accused of playing a role in the Yemen war by supporting the Houthis militarily.

READ: Iran’s Soleimani playing role in Iraq government formation

He is the first Iranian military commander to receive the medal since the Islamic Republic was founded in 1979.

Many countries, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, include Soleimani on their list of terrorism supporters due to his role in regional conflicts.