The Criminal Court of Tehran has issued a landmark ruling demanding that the United States government and its officials pay $9 billion in damages over the targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani and the imposition of sanctions against Iran. This announcement was made by Tehran's judiciary chief, Ali Alghasi-Mehr.

According to a report by Iran International, 73 US officials have been notified to appoint legal representatives for the court proceedings. These proceedings stem from the January 3, 2020, drone strike authorized by then-President Donald Trump, which resulted in the death of Soleimani, a top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, near Baghdad International Airport. The US justified the strike by accusing Soleimani of orchestrating attacks against American diplomats and military personnel.

Last year, Iran's judiciary identified 97 suspects connected to Soleimani's killing, including Trump. Mohammad Mosaddegh, Deputy Chief of Iran's Judiciary, revealed that legal measures have now been initiated against 73 Americans, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as reported by Iran International.

Soleimani was a pivotal figure in Iran's military and intelligence operations, known for his role in supporting and coordinating with militant proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shiite militias in Iraq, which frequently targeted US forces.

Since the killing, Iran has openly expressed its intent to seek retribution, signaling a readiness to conduct operations within the United States. Tehran has specifically named Trump, Pompeo, and former CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth McKenzie as primary targets for potential retaliation. In 2022, the late President Ebrahim Raisi addressed the United Nations, insisting that Trump face trial for his involvement in the assassination and reiterating calls for vengeance.

This recent court ruling highlights Iran's ongoing efforts to hold the US accountable for Soleimani's death and the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, further intensifying the strained relations between the two countries.