Iran asks Interpol to arrest Trump over Soleimani killing

Iran has requested Interpol to issue a "red notice" for the arrest of US President Donald Trump and 47 other American officials, claiming their role in the killing of top general Qassem Soleimani a year ago. Reportedly, this is the second time Tehran has asked Interpol's help for the arrest of the US President and dozens of others it believes were behind the assassination of the Iranian top general in Baghdad. 

However, Interpol had rejected Iran's request in June 2019 stating that its constitution forbids it from undertaking actions against a political figure. 

Reiterated its earlier stance, France-based Interpol reportedly rejected Tehran's latest request stating that it does not undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial character.

According to media reports, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili addressed a press conference on Tuesday confirming that a request for the issue of Red Notice in the assassination of Soleimani against the US President, American forces, and Pentagon officials was handed over to Interpol.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is very seriously following up on pursuing and punishing those who ordered and executed this crime,” Esmaili said while speaking to reporters. 

This development has come at a time when Iran marks the anniversary of the US killing of its top commander Qassem Soleimani. While addressing a ceremony marking Soleimani’s assassination anniversary in Tehran earlier this week, Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi regarded US President Trump as the main target of prosecution. He further demanded that Trump should not immune due to his political status.

Even as Trump faces no danger of arrest, tensions between Iran and the United States have heightened due to the incident. Iran and the US have already been facing strained ties after the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew Washington from Tehran's nuclear deal.

Earlier in January 2020, President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had stated that the US targeted Soleimani to prevent a "looming threat" on the country, noting that the Iranian leader was a key architect of Tehran's strategy in conflicts against the US. Soleimani commanded the elite Quds Forces of the Iranian Revolution Guard.

Meanwhile, Interpol issues a red notice to law enforcement agencies across the world in order to find and arrest fugitives who are wanted either for serving a prison sentence or prosecution of a crime.