Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump over killing of Soleimani

Iran has issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump (pictured) and 35 others over the killing of top general Qassem Soleimani and has asked Interpol for help, Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasimehr said on Monday, according to the Fars news agency.

On Jan. 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed Soleimani, leader of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force.

Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias on US forces in the region. 

Alqasimehr said the warrants had been issued on charges of murder and terrorist action.

He said Iran had asked Interpol to issue a “red notice” for Trump and the other individuals the Islamic Republic accuses of taking part in the killing of Soleimani.

Alqasimehr said the group included other US military and civilian officials but did not provide further details.

He said Iran would continue to pursue the matter after Trump’s time in office ends.

The killing of Soleimani brought the United States and Iran to the brink of armed conflict after Iran retaliated by firing missiles at American targets in Iraq several days later.

What next

After receiving a request, Interpol meets by committee and discusses whether or not to share the information with its member states. Interpol has no requirement for making any of the notices public, though some do get published on its website.

Local authorities end up making the arrests on behalf of the country that request it. The notices cannot force countries to arrest or extradite suspects, but can put government leaders on the spot and limit suspects' travel.

It is unlikely Interpol would grant Iran's request as its guideline for notices forbids it from “undertaking any intervention or activities of a political" nature.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.