UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The United States told the
United Nations on Wednesday that the killing of Iranian
commander Qassem Soleimani was self-defense and vowed to take
additional action "as necessary" in the Middle East to protect
U.S. personnel and interests.
In a letter to the U.N. Security Council, U.S. Ambassador
Kelly Craft said the United States also stands "ready to engage
without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran, with
the goal of preventing further endangerment of international
peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime."
The killing of Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday was justified
under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, wrote Craft in the letter
seen by Reuters, adding "the United States is prepared to take
additional actions in the region as necessary to continue to
protect U.S. personnel and interests."
Under Article 51, countries are required to "immediately
report" to the 15-member Security Council any measures taken in
exercising the right of self-defense. The United States used
Article 51 to justify taking action in Syria against Islamic
State militants in 2014.