Some of the top trending tweets in the US feature an address, not to a person, but to a country - “Dear Iran”.
The requests and comments aimed at the Islamic Republic, whose prominent military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, varied greatly. Some expressed their sorrow at Soleimani’s death, while at the same time begging Iran not to kick-start “this WWIII”.
“I don't know America. I don't know Donald Trump. I never heard of her. I'm not a part of this", one posted, reserving a bit of room for irony as he distanced himself from the news, whereas many opted to blame the Republicans over the move to eliminate Quds Force’s head.
Dear Iran,
Mississippi is not apart of the US pic.twitter.com/jKGHhYAlRp
dear iran,
— KING MARS 🅙 (@cesaarxo) January 3, 2020
remember it’s these red mfs that wanted all the smoke. we blue folks hate they ass too pic.twitter.com/7AHIW0i3fk
Mess with the best.... pic.twitter.com/fOwKk6nRVO
— John Marcus (@JohnMar76453530) January 3, 2020
Dear Iran,
— El.Macho 🎃 (@ElMachoLBC) January 3, 2020
Just remeber...
- Cali Love pic.twitter.com/02Z9hsQFQ8
A number of netizens tried to lighten up the mood a bit, apparently to disguise the depression:
Dear Iran,
— • n a t a l i e 💗 🥥 ⚡️• (@nataylene) January 3, 2020
How about a dance off instead? #WorldWarThree pic.twitter.com/0VdWsEbwlR
Even members of the Mexican community weighed in on the debate, cheekily remarking that the latest development would make them leave their adoptive country for their native one:
Dear Iran
— sad (@ericsinternet) January 3, 2020
The Mexicans are not apart of this so excuse as we head back over the wall.
-love Mexicans
Dear Iran,
— Tray (@soto_tray) January 3, 2020
On behalf of the Mexican community we not even supposed to be here. Here is our weeks notice, we’re out 👷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/BQpqglMeEw
Dear Iran, California has a lot of Mexicans so we technically are Mexico 😓
— Cuiii (@cuiii777) January 3, 2020
Memes arrived in abundance as well, with many continuing to play upon the WWIII speculation:
Dear Iran, pwease don’t strike uwu #WW3 #wwlll pic.twitter.com/tZNcbMIKnG
— 🤠 (@amarilloannn) January 3, 2020
Others, meanwhile, hit back at the “stupid” addresses, arguing that America had finally “stood up”, as POTUS is “not the Muslim Obama” and calling out actress Rose McGowan for her apology to Iran as “US’ disrespect":
Dear #Iran - America stood up and said no more to your Jihad shit keep going with your #DeathToAmerica nonsense and see what @POTUS does to you. He is not the muslim Obama you took advantage off. #America is back! #MAGA #TeamStayAlive #TeamFreedom
— CNNisVERYFakeNews (@Natalie0280) January 3, 2020
Dear #Iran, please adopt this confused reprobate and show her exactly what you think of her profile Pic.#Soleimani
— BIBLEBOY (@BIBLEBOY) January 3, 2020
“No reasonable person should want Soleimani alive...especially anyone who has had their family terrorized by this regime. But the question that should be asked Sen @tedcruz was this operation in the best interests of the USG?” a different netizen posted, arguing that “the idea that this is a deterrent is patently absurd”.
No reasonable person should want Soleimani alive...especially anyone who has had their family terrorized by this regime. But the question that should be asked Sen @tedcruz was this operation in the best interests of the USG? The idea that this is a deterrent is patently absurd https://t.co/KCN6Eeqk62
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 3, 2020
The Pentagon confirmed earlier in the day that Commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was killed by rocket fire near Baghdad International Airport. The IRGC’s Quds Force is designated by Washington as a foreign terrorist organisation.
Soleimani was murdered while in his car at Baghdad Airport after US forces repelled a raid on the US Embassy in the Iraqi capital on 31 December that the Pentagon said Soleimani was behind. Separately, the Department of Defence noted that he had previously orchestrated other attacks, including fatal ones, on coalition bases in Iraq.
