Press TV's news headlines

Remembering anti-terror icon

January the third marks the second anniversary of the assassination of top Iranian anti-terror commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, in a US drone strike outside the Baghdad Airport. People in Iran and elsewhere, including Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Kashmir and the Gaza Strip, are commemorating the occasion with large-scale ceremonies. In Iraq, people held a vigil at the attack scene in the capital Baghdad to pay tribute to the top Iranian general and his companions, including the senior Iraqi anti-terror commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Earlier, thousands flooded a central square in the Iraqi capital to honor the two anti-terror icons. They renewed their call for the withdrawal of all US forces from their country. Just two days after the targeted killing, Iraqi parliamentarians had passed a bill requiring the government to expel American forces. 

Gen. Soleimani assassination

Iran has called on the Security Council to hold the United States and Israel to account for assassinating its top commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani. Iran’s UN Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi, in his letter to the UNSC high council, described the assassination as a horrific act and a grave violation of international law by the US. Takht Ravanchi also touched on Israel’s recent acknowledgement of its role in the deadly strike. He said all players, involved directly and indirectly, have a responsibility and should be held accountable. The envoy noted that the assassination was a big gift to Daesh terrorists who the Iranian commander fought for years. He stressed that Iran will vigorously continue on the path of Gen. Soleimani to help regional countries fight terrorists.

US political violence 

A majority of Americans remain concerned about the health of their democracy a year after former US president Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol. A poll by CBS News reveals that two-thirds of the surveyed Americans saw the Capitol riot as a harbinger of increasing political violence. The study also indicates that 28 percent are of the belief that force can be used to defend the election result. This is while another survey has found that 34 percent believe violent action against the government can sometimes be justified. That’s the highest percentage in decades. The poll comes on the heels of the anniversary of storming the Capitol on January 6. The incident was an attempt to prevent Joe Biden from taking office after his victory in presidential election. The deadly riot left five Americans dead.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk