Iranian court orders US govt., entities to pay $50bn over Gen. Soleimani assassination

An Iranian court has ruled that the United States government and a number of individuals and entities should pay nearly $50 billion in compensation for their roles in the assassination of top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport more than three years ago.

The 55th Branch of the Legal Court of International Relations of Tehran Justice Department on Wednesday issued the ruling against a total of 42 defendants.

The court noted that it issued the verdict after diligently reviewing the case seeking financial, moral and punitive damages linked to the assassination, and following three public hearings.

The Tehran-based court also highlighted that the decision was taken after a thorough examination following the complaints of 3,318 Iranian citizens.

The US government, former President Donald Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, the US Department of Defense, the National Security Agency (NSA), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Reserve System as well as weapons companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were among the people and entities found responsible for General Soleimani's assassination.

The courted ordered the defendants to pay a total of $49.77 billion in damages to claimants in the case.

They were condemned to pay $16.59 billion in damages to make up for the moral and monetary losses brought about by the assassination.

Additionally, the defendants were ordered to pay double the damages, totaling $33.18 billion, in order to deter future violations and ensure accountability for their actions.

Apart from financial penalties, the court ordered the defendants to publish an official apology to the plaintiffs.

The ruling, which was issued in absentia, allows for an appeal within a period of two months.

SS