Amid US-Iran tensions over the reports of Tehran’s involvement in the foiled assassination plot of Donald Trump , Iran had sent a message to President Joe Biden -led administration in October denying any plans to execute the killing, according to the media reports.
Earlier in September, the US warned Iran that any attempt on Trump’s life would be considered “an act of war,” according to the media reports. The message was aimed at easing the tensions between Washington and Tehran. The message followed a stern warning from the US, which had voiced serious concerns over potential retaliation by Iran for the killing of Iranian military general Qassem Soleimani back in 2020. Notably, the Soleimani’s assassination order was given by then-President Donald Trump.
Following Trump’s November 5 US election victory, several Iranian officials have shown support for more approach with the president-elect, despite ongoing pressure from his allies to renew a hardline stance against Iran. According to the media reports, US officials believe that Iran may have sought retaliation against Soleimani’s killing, citing two charges related to Iranian plots against the Trump.
The message from Iran focused on Tehran’s stance terming the killing of General Soleimani as a “criminal act”. However, the letter also clarified that Iran had no intention of killing Trump. According to the media reports, this message was confirmed by an Iranian official and analyst who engages with both sides.
Iran has expressed its desire to pursue justice for Soleimani’s death through international legal channels rather than through violence. The message was not sent in the name of any specific Iranian official. Further the Iranian official and analyst revealed that the letter was, in fact, from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Though Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment but it issued a statement reiterating Tehran’s commitment to addressing Soleimani’s killing “through legal and judicial avenues.”
Earlier, during the presidential campaign, US officials had warned of a potential threat from Iran on Donald Trump’s life. The United States Justice Department had revealed that Donald Trump, who already survived two assassination attempts before emerging victorious in the recently-held US elections, was once again under the target of an assassin, just weeks before the much-awaited polls. However, the deadly plan was thwarted by the FBI. Consequently, the US department of Justice charged an Iranian man, tapped by Iran, to kill Trump.
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