New Delhi: Amid US-Iran tensions over reports of Tehran’s involvement in the foiled assassination plot of Donald Trump , it is learnt that Iran had sent a message to President Joe Biden -led administration in October denying any plans to execute the killing.
Earlier in September, the US warned Iran that any attempt on Trump’s life would be considered “an act of war,” US-based Media outlet NY Times reported.
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 a more conciliatory approach with the president-elect, despite ongoing pressure from his allies to renew a hardline stance against Iran.
According to reports, US officials believe that Iran may have sought retaliation against Soleimani’s killing, citing two charges related to Iranian plots against the Trump.
Reports, citing US officials, suggested that 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 media reports, this message was confirmed by an Iranian official and analyst who engages with both sides.
It is learnt that Iran has expressed its desire to pursue justice for Soleimani’s death through international legal channels rather than through violence.
Reports citing, US officials, claimed that 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.”
Man Charged in Iranian Plot to Assassinate Donald Trump
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.
The Justice Department also identified the alleged assassin as Farjad Shakeri, who reportedly on the instructions of Iran orchestrated a failed murder plot for the US President-elect. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan alleged that an unnamed official in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard instructed a contact in September to put together a plan to surveil and ultimately kill Trump.
Amid US-Iran Tensions, Musk Meets Iranian Ambassador
Elon Musk, a close ally of President-elect Donald J. Trump, met Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday in New York, according to media reports. reports citing two Iranian officials said the meeting, that could prove crucial, between Musk and Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani lasted for over an hour and was held at a secret location.
The two nations have not had official diplomatic relations since the 1979 revolution, during which 52 US nationals were taken hostage at the US embassy in Tehran. The Swiss embassy in Tehran serves as the official diplomatic point of contact between the two countries. In the recent years, direct and indirect talks have taken place on various issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and the swapping of detainees. The messages exchanged between the US and Iran were sent through the Swiss, according to the Iranian official and analyst.
Iran Says No Plans to Kill Trump, Calls for Accountability in Soleimani Case world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World Breaking Headlines Today
