How likely is it that Interpol really grabs someone?
- It is highly unlikely not to say unthinkable that Interpol will carry out any arrests. This should not be interpreted as the beginning of any legal process but as a political marker on Iran's part. The US decision to kill Qassem Soleimani was a severe blow to Iran, which was leading to an armed conflict between the two countries.
What does it say about the US-Iran relationship?
- US-Iran relations deteriorated when Donald Trump came to power and the US withdrew from the nuclear deal and reintroduced sanctions on Iran. At the beginning of the month, small positive steps were taken as the US and Iran implemented prisoner exchanges. This symbolic arrest warrant that Iran is now issuing is a step in the opposite direction.
Do people need to worry about how this is developing now?
- Iran has asked for US sanctions relief to save its crisis economy and deal with the corona pandemic. People in Iran who are severely affected by US sanctions and covid-19 may be concerned that this arrest warrant does not increase US and President Trump's willingness to implement any such relief.