Press Statement by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of IranOslo, 31 December 2020On the occasion of“First Anniversary of Martyrdom ofLieutenant General Qasim Soleymani”January 3rd 2021, marks the first anniversary of martyrdom of foreverliving, Lieutenant General Qasim Soleymani, who was brutallyassassinated in an extremely cowardly terrorist operation by the USregime.Martyr Soleymani was not only a national heroic warrior for the entireIranian nation, but to many oppressed and long suffering nations ofthe region who looked him as a real saver.It is an undeniable fact by foes and friends that if Lt. Gen. Soleymaniand his warriors had not recklessly resisted in battleground againstISIS, the entire region could have been invaded by ISIS criminals.Having grown under the school of thoughts of late Imam Khomeini,Qasem Soleymani started his front line military career during 8 yearsof imposed war in the 80s, and gradually became an indispensablehigh-ranking military commander. He played a key role in the fightagainst the invading forces of the Ba'athist regime of Saddam Hosseinand for the protection of Iran's national interests and security,especially the preservation of territorial integrity of Iran.Lt. Gen. Soleymani was head of the Revolutionary Guards' QudsForce who had led the Quds Force since 1998. When the dark andlethal shadow of ISIS was spreading across the region by support ofcertain regional actors and external powers, it was the General whomasterminded the collapse of the fake caliphate of ISIS.He's been combating terrorism for his entire life for the sake of hisbeloved compatriots as well as other nations. He devoted himself todefend human and divine values, human dignity and peace andstability for all people, and finally sacrificed himself for thesevaluable goals. Thus, the world owes him a lot in these respects.His soldiers loved him immensely. He was a decent, charismatic andattractive warrior guy, who was really powerful and undefeatable fromhis enemy's perspective.The historic funeral of martyr Soleymani, as well as widespreadsympathy of people throughout the world demonstrated his immensepopularity among Iranians and other nations and unveiled the secret ofhis ever eternity before oppressed nations. In the course of eventsleading up to his martyrdom and its aftermath, one could conclude thefact that martyr Soleymani will be more dangerous to the adversariesof humanity than Lt. Gen. Soleymani. As once described by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,he is "a living martyr of the revolution". As he deserves, MartyrSoleymani has been and will always be an example for real defendersof justice, humanity, peace and the fight against oppression.The Islamic Republic of Iran will always consider the tragic terroristoperation leading up to the martyrdom of Lt. Gen. Soleymani , and thehigh ranking Iraqi commander '' Martyr Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis" andtheir accompanying persons as a crime against humanity and an act ofterror, blatantly breaching internationally recognized laws andprinciples, particularly taking into consideration that he was paying anofficial visit to Bagdad to discuss with Iraqi authorities on resolvingregional issues. This US vicious terrorist act once again proves thedestructive role of this regime in destabilizing the region.Obviously, there will be no impunity for the perpetrators of thisheinous crime, Iranian nation do not forgive them, and one day all willbe brought to justice.