Iran chooses Lebanon, Syria as legal representatives in Soleimani case

Iran has selected Lebanon, Syria and several other nations to represent its legal stance on the killing of top commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike a year ago.

Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait have been selected to follow the case through international legal channels, said Ali Alqasi-Mehr, Tehran Prosecutor General.

The move comes as Iran nears the first anniversary of Soleimani's killing on January 3.

Soleimani, who headed the Republican Guards Corps' foreign operations arm, was killed in a drone strike in Baghdad last year.

At a press conference on Thursday, Alqasi-Mehr also alleged the role of a US airbase in Germany and London-based security firm G4S in the killing.

The Iranian judiciary's High Council for Human Rights has asked for Germany's cooperation in bringing the perpetrators to justice, Alqasi-Mehr said.

Last year, Iran issued arrest warrants and Interpol Red Notices for US President Donald Trump, who ordered the drone strike, and 35 other people allegedly involved.

Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed to avenge Soleimani's death.

On Friday, Esmail Ghaani warned that retaliation for the killing could even come on US soil.

"From inside your own house, there may emerge someone who will retaliate for your crime," said Ghaani, who replaced Soleimani as head of the Quds Force.

Soleimani's killers will witness a "severe revenge", added the head of Iran's judiciary.

"What has come so far has only been glimpses," Ebrahim Raisi said. "Those who had a role in this in this assassination and crime will not be safe on Earth."

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have soared since 2018, when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed crippling sanctions.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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