Iran Court demands U. S pay $50 billion in damages

An Iranian court has issued a significant ruling demanding the United States government to pay close to $50 billion in damages and apologize for the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani nearly four years ago, as announced by the judiciary on Wednesday, December 6.

The court’s decision, delivered by the 55th Branch of the Legal Court of International Relations of the Tehran Justice Department, specified a sum of $49.77 billion to be paid by the US government and 41 other individuals and entities held responsible for Soleimani’s assassination.

Qasem Soleimani, aged 62, alongside his Iraqi lieutenant Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, ordered by then-US President Donald Trump.

Trump justified the action by alleging Soleimani’s involvement in planning attacks on American diplomats and service members in the region, citing his responsibility for the deaths of millions.

The court’s ruling also mandated a formal apology from the US government and other entities found accountable for Soleimani’s death, with instructions to publish it in a widely circulated newspaper.

This decision stemmed from complaints filed by over 3,000 plaintiffs who claimed damages due to Soleimani’s assassination, as detailed by judicial officials.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had previously declared in January that nearly 60 US officials were blacklisted by Tehran for their involvement in Soleimani’s assassination. Both Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have repeatedly vowed retaliation for the killing.

Since Soleimani’s death, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard member has been charged with planning the assassination of former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also identified as a potential target in the same plot.

Qasem Soleimani, known for his pivotal role in Iran’s external military and intelligence operations, directed support to militant proxy forces such as Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militia groups engaged in confrontations against US forces in the region.