Interpol says no to Iran on arrest warrant for Donald Trump

Tehran said the US President and 36 others were responsible for the strike that killed Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani

Rockets launched from Iran against the US military base in Ein-al Asad in Iraq. EPA / IRIB HANDOUT

Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin Qassem Suleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin of Qassem Suleimani during the final stage of funeral processions, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

An Iranian mourner burns incense during the final stage of funeral processions for slain top general Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

An Iranian mourner holds a placard during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani, in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranian mourners gather for the burial of Qassem Suleimani in his hometown Kerman. AFP

Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets of Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom following a ceremony in the capital Tehran. AFP

Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets of slain military commander Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom. AFP

Newly appointed commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Gen Esmail Qaani, weeps while praying over the coffin of the force's previous head Qassem Suleimani at the Tehran University Campus in Tehran. AP

A view of the crowds at the Azadi Square during the funeral of top Iranian general Suleimani in Tehran. Reuters

Iranian mourners taking part in a funeral procession in Tehran for Qassem Suleimani. AFP

Crowds at the Enqelab Square during the funeral of top Iranian general Suleimani in Tehran. Reuters

Member of the Iranian American community of Washington DC area rally outside the State Department in Washington in solidarity with the people of Iran, Syria and Iraq who celebrate the death of Iranian official, Gen Qassem Suleimani. AP Photo

A girl holds a sign reading “Trump is a murderer” during a condolence ceremony for Qassem Suleimani outside the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters

A man kisses a picture of Qassem Suleimani outside the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters

Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the caskets Qassem Suleimani and others during a funeral procession after the bodies arrived in the northeastern city of Qom. AFP

Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force walk above a portrait of US President Donald Trump as they hold a condolences meeting following the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis in Karrada in central Baghdad. AFP

Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force chant anti-US slogans during a protest over the killings of Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis in Karrada in central Baghdad. AFP

Supporters of the Houthis rally to denounce the US killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, in Sanaa, Yemen. Reuters

Interpol will not comply with an Iranian request to issue a global red notice to arrest US President Donald Trump, the body told The National on Monday after Tehran's prosecutor announced charges against the American leader.

Ali Alqasimehr on Monday announced murder and terrorism charges in Tehran against Mr Trump over the January 3 killing of Quds force commander Qassem Suleimani, Iraqi militia head Abu Mahdi Al Muhandise, along with others near Bagdhad airport.

After a meeting of the country's Supreme Judicial Council, Mr Alqasimehr said that 35 others would face charges in Iran as well as Mr Trump.

However, Interpol clarified that its constitution prevents them from "undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character."

The organisation did not confirm that they have received such a request from Iran but said they would not be able to comply it if they had.

"If or when any such requests were to be sent to the General Secretariat, in accordance with the provisions of our constitution and rules, Interpol would not consider requests of this nature," the international policing body told The National.  

An Interpol red notice is a request circulated to police around the world to locate and arrest a person wanted either by a country or an international tribunal, pending extradition or similar legal action.

While red notices are non-binding, they are common practice when wanted fugitives or people suspected of crimes flee across borders.

US Special Envoy on Iran Brian Hook said the warrant was a propaganda stunt that “nobody takes seriously”.

Mr Alqasimehr did not name the other officials he said were also facing charges he said they were political and military officials from the US and other countries that were connected to the January 3 airstrikes.

The US blamed Suleimani for orchestrating Iran's network of armed proxy forces across the region as well as planning and coordinating attacks - including against US and Western forces.

The shadowy was at the centre of Iran's foreign policy for decades.