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Legal Basis for US Killing of Iran General Depends on Threat

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - Did President Donald Trump have the legal authority to
   order the killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq?

   The short answer: Probably.

   But it depends on facts that aren't publicly known yet. And legal
   experts are quick to point out that even if it was legal that doesn't
   make it the right decision, or one that will be politically smart in
   the long run. Iran and its allies are vowing revenge.

   In its limited explanation so far, the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem
   Soleimani was "actively developing" plans to kill American diplomats
   and service members when he was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday
   near the Baghdad airport shortly after arriving in the country.

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