The U.S. Assassinates on Foreign Soil and Expects No Retaliation?
WANA (Jul 26) – Mohammad-Javad Larijani, a senior expert in international affairs, made sharp remarks against U.S. policies during a ceremony marking the 40th day after the death of Majid Tajjar Tehrani — an Iranian scientist killed in the recent Israeli attack on Tehran.
In his address, Larijani asserted that over the past five decades, the United States has laid the foundation for the targeted assassination of key political, scientific, and military figures of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Referring to this history, he declared, “The assassination of Trump, in response to the American tradition of orchestrating assassinations in Iran, has legal legitimacy.”
Criticizing Washington’s approach to the nuclear deal, Larijani stated: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has placed its trust in the JCPOA throughout these years and fulfilled both its moral and legal obligations under international treaties concerning its nuclear facilities. However, the Americans have not honored a single one of their commitments toward Iran.”
Iran’s President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi holds up a picture of Quds Force Commander General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. attack, as he addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 21, 2022. WANA (West Asia News Agency) / President office
He went on to say, “Our experience negotiating with the Americans and Western countries has shown that they cannot be trusted. We must proceed step by step, and only if their genuine goodwill and commitment to obligations are proven can we consider further stages of negotiation.”
In another pointed remark directed at U.S. officials, Larijani asked, “You assassinate people on foreign soil, and yet expect not to be targeted yourselves?”
Reiterating his stance on the “legal legitimacy” of retaliatory action against Trump, Larijani concluded: “The assassination of Trump is legitimate, because it was the United States that initiated this dangerous precedent.”
People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
