Iran Vows Comprehensive Legal Action in Gen. Soleimani Assassination Case

On January 3, 2020, General Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, and several others were martyred in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport. The strike, ordered by then-President Donald Trump, targeted individuals significantly recognized for their roles in combating the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.

During the interview, Zakaria also brought up recent claims by CNN about alleged Iranian plans to assassinate Trump, an accusation that Iran has strongly denied. Bagheri reiterated Iran's stance, stressing that Tehran strictly adheres to legal frameworks for addressing its grievances.
He said: “We have only used and will continue to use our own domestic legal and judicial frameworks and mechanisms and the [available] international ones towards [ensuring] administration of justice regarding those who had ordered, perpetrated, and advised the assassination of General Soleimani.”
In a broader regional context, Bagheri criticized Israel's aggressive postures, warning that its expansionist threats could bring severe repercussions. He labeled the Israeli actions as strategic errors, potentially escalating conflicts across West Asia, particularly with Lebanon and Gaza, thus risking major regional destabilization.