Qassem Soleimani has traveled to Moscow, ignoring UN resolutions

Fox News reported, citing U.S. security officials, that Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has traveled to Moscow, disregarding United Nations resolutions that prohibit his departure from Iran. The report states that Mr. Soleimani arrived in Russia on Tuesday, February 15, on a Mahan Air flight to meet with Russian officials during a several-day stay in Moscow. According to Fox News, Qassem Soleimani will express Iran's dissatisfaction with Russia's relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to Moscow, which pertains to arms sales and strengthening economic ties between these countries. The media then adds that the CIA has not provided an official explanation regarding this matter. Additionally, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department has stated that he is unaware of this incident. This is the fourth time in the past year and a half that reports about the Quds Force commander's trip to Russia have been published. The first was in mid-August 2015, which was reflected in Reuters. Subsequently, in December 2015, the Fars news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, published such a report claiming that Mr. Soleimani had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Kremlin, as before, denied such a report. Finally, Reuters again reported in late April this year about Qassem Soleimani's trip to Russia and his meeting with Russian officials. Meanwhile, UN Security Council Resolution 1747, adopted in 2007, prohibits Qassem Soleimani from traveling abroad. Accordingly, any country that allows Mr. Soleimani to travel will be subject to punishment. Mr. Soleimani's name is also mentioned in UN Resolution 2231, adopted in 2015. However, recently, images of him have been released, reportedly taken in the city of Aleppo, Syria. One of the conservative representatives in the Iranian parliament has confirmed the authenticity of the matter. In this context, a member of the National Security Commission of the Parliament stated that Qassem Soleimani's trip to Aleppo was at the request of the Syrian government. John Kirby considered the possible presence of Qassem Soleimani in Aleppo a violation of the Security Council resolution.