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The US had warned Tehran that any attempts on Donald Trump’s life would be considered an “act of war”.
Iran’s Supreme leader Ali Khamenei and US President-elect Donald Trump (AP Images)
Iran has sent out a message to the United States that it does not intend to assassinate US President-elect Donald Trump, the New York Times reported citing US and Iranian officials.
The communication was sent to Washington in October this year after the outgoing Joe Biden administration in the US noted in September that it would consider any attempt to Trump’s life, who was then a Republican candidate for the November 5 Presidential polls, to be “an act of war”.
The Iranian message to the US is seen as an attempt to ease tensions with the Western country.
The US had expressed grave concerns over potential retaliation by Tehran for the killing of its military commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, who directed Iran’s militias and proxy forces in 2020, on the orders of then-President Trump.
Since Trump’s victory in the polls, several former Iranian officials, pundits, and media outlets have been asking Tehran to engage with Trump and attempt reconciliation, despite Trump’s promises to exert further pressure on Iran.
The Department of Justice has issued two indictments that were related to Iranian plotting against Trump, according to officials. The Americans have also accused Iran of plotting to assassinate other figures under the Trump administration.
Iran, in its message to the Biden administration, reiterated that the killing of Suleimani was a criminal act, the New York Times reported citing two US officials without naming them.
However, the message also added that Iran did not want to assassinate Trump and sought to avenge Suleimani’s killing through international legal means.
