Iran vows to use all legal means for Soleimani assassination
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The Islamic Republic would exercise every possible legal action to ensure that “justice is served," Iran's interim foreign minister said, referring to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani.
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CNN’s Fareed Zakaria interviews Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani in New York, on July 17, 2024. (Screengrab)
Iran Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani vowed to exhaust all accessible domestic and foreign legal means to prosecute the parties responsible for the assassination of the country’s top anti-commander General Qassem Soleimani.
The Islamic Republic would exercise every possible legal action to ensure that “justice is served in the case,” Bagheri Kani told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Wednesday during his visit to New York, emphasizing “This is our right.”
Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), along with the Iraq Popular Mobilization Units's (PMU) second-in-command Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and their companions were assassinated near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, by a US drone strike authorized by former US President Donald Trump.
The commanders were held in high esteem in the Middle East since they played a pivotal role in combatting the ISIS takfiri terrorist group in the region, especially in Iraq and Syria.
Bagheri Kani denied the American authorities’ claim of Iran’s involvement in Trump’s attempted assassination at his presidential campaign rally last week, regarding it as a product of malicious political objectives and motives.
"We have only used and will continue to use our own domestic legal and judicial frameworks and mechanisms and the [available] international ones toward [ensuring] administration of justice regarding those who had ordered, perpetrated, and advised the assassination of General Soleimani," Bagheri Kani stressed, rejecting the allegations.
Bagheri Kani reiterates support for Lebanon and Gaza
The foreign minister also acknowledged “Israel’s” consistent threat to expand its genocidal war in Gaza to Lebanon, while highlighting the occupation’s failures in achieving its military goal, including defeating the Hamas Resistance group, liberating captives, and forcefully displacing Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt.
“It seems like the Zionists are inclined to expand [existing] tensions to other parts of the region in order to make up for the failures and frustrations that they have suffered in Gaza,” he said.
The politician also reiterated his stance that should “Israel” spark a regional war, it would be a “strategic mistake” that would result in “serious risks” for Tel Aviv while praising the opening of several Palestinian support fronts.
Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen have stood in solidarity with Gaza through military support, launching hundreds of rockets and missiles into the occupied territories’ sensitive targets, ultimately tanking the regime’s maritime activities and facilities.
“The crimes that the Zionists have perpetrated over the past nine months never managed to turn standing circumstances in their favor,” Bagheri said, adding that a ceasefire in Gaza is “the only pathway that can save Zionists from further risks.”
Accusing Iran of involvement in Trump attack politically packed: MoFA
The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, affirmed that the accusations directed at Iran regarding its involvement in the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump carry malicious political goals and intentions.
Kanaani directly responded to the allegations raised by CNN, strongly denying Tehran's involvement in the armed attack against Trump and any intention it would have to do so.
In the same context, the Iranian official said Iran intends to pursue the legal prosecution of Donald Trump for his direct involvement in the assassination of Martyr Qassem Soleimani.
Lebanon is a continuation of its crimes in the Gaza Strip, which have revealed its barbaric nature.
On July 14, while giving a presidential speech at a Pennsylvania rally, Trump was shot in an apparent assassination attempt.
Moments after the shooting, security was able to approach Trump's podium to evacuate him. Trump appeared to have sustained mild wounds, as blood was seen running down the side of his head.
The presidential candidate was transported to a local medical center for medical testing and treatment. His presidential campaign and entourage consequently confirmed that the former president was fine and healthy.
The shooter was then killed by Secret Service agents.
