Iran’s request for Trump’s arrest once he leaves office

Arlina Yang, Junior Editor

Iran issued its first arrest warrant last June. (Arlina Yang)

Iran issued a second request for the same reason: President Trump’s arrest for the targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani, a strong Iranian general, around a year ago. More specifically, they request the Interpol to deliver a Red Notice, “an inquiry to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action” (Interpol). 

Though the Interpol have responded with a rejection as they do not grant requests prompted by political or military matters. Hence the demand for President Trump and 47 other U.S officials’ arrest, whom all partook in the assasination of Soleimani, remains dismissed. 

Soleimani’s murder rooted from President Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper deciding that the assassination was meant to “prevent a looming threat”. And Trump deemed that Soleimani had been “plotting imminent and sinister attacks” against America, thus the deadly airstrike which occured on January 3, 2020 in the Baghdad International Airport. Which also led to a vengeful attack by Iran on Jan 8, 2020, where they fired missiles on al-Asad air base in Iraq, where U.S troops were stationed. As a result, around 34 American soldiers were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

“Trump will have to pay back, whatever his position,” said Iran’s judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi. “Whether he heads the U.S administration or not, Trump should face retribution for the atrocity he has perpetrated.”

Due to Qasem Soleimani being a key figure and high status as an Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the commander of the Quds Force, named a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., he is also renowned in his country for being the mastermind behind conflicts against the United States and around the region. 

The first request for Trump and the other officials’ request was issued June, 2020, and the second request followed after a year passed since the deaths of the general and those who were with him. Consequently to the Interpol’s refusal, Iran stresses the determination in pursuing all 48 officials’ — including Trump’s — arrest, even soon after when Trump is no longer the President of the United States.