Interpol says no to Iran on arrest warrant for Donald Trump

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.