Iran Assures US It Will Not Target Trump Amid Escalating Tensions
Tehran provides written assurance as Washington warns of severe consequences
Ahead of the US elections, Iran assured the United States in writing that it had no intention of assassinating President-elect Donald Trump, according to reports by American media outlets.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran issued this assurance in mid-October to alleviate mounting tensions following a stern warning from Washington.
In September, the US had warned, as CBS News reported, that the Biden administration would consider any attack on a former president or official as 'an act of war.'
Trump, known for his hardline stance against Iran, notably led the US exit from the nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018 and re-imposed strict economic sanctions.
Furthermore, Trump greenlit the 2020 drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's Quds Force, exacerbating tensions significantly.
The assurances from Tehran, however, were reportedly unsigned by any specific Iranian official, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.
Iran emphasized that Trump had committed a 'crime' by orchestrating Soleimani's assassination.
These developments follow claims from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) that Iranian officials allegedly plotted to assassinate Trump by hiring an Afghan national.
The DOJ also accused Iran of attempting to recruit a Pakistani national for potential political assassinations in the US.
Tehran has denied these allegations.
Meanwhile, Trump experienced two assassination attempts during his campaign, the closest being in July when a bullet grazed his ear at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Amidst these controversies, sources suggest Iran is keen on avoiding a direct confrontation with the Trump administration.
While the Wall Street Journal previously hinted at a potential return to a 'maximum pressure' strategy by Trump, the New York Times reported last week that Elon Musk, a Trump ally, allegedly met secretly with Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid, purportedly to reduce tensions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran issued this assurance in mid-October to alleviate mounting tensions following a stern warning from Washington.
In September, the US had warned, as CBS News reported, that the Biden administration would consider any attack on a former president or official as 'an act of war.'
Trump, known for his hardline stance against Iran, notably led the US exit from the nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018 and re-imposed strict economic sanctions.
Furthermore, Trump greenlit the 2020 drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's Quds Force, exacerbating tensions significantly.
The assurances from Tehran, however, were reportedly unsigned by any specific Iranian official, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.
Iran emphasized that Trump had committed a 'crime' by orchestrating Soleimani's assassination.
These developments follow claims from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) that Iranian officials allegedly plotted to assassinate Trump by hiring an Afghan national.
The DOJ also accused Iran of attempting to recruit a Pakistani national for potential political assassinations in the US.
Tehran has denied these allegations.
Meanwhile, Trump experienced two assassination attempts during his campaign, the closest being in July when a bullet grazed his ear at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Amidst these controversies, sources suggest Iran is keen on avoiding a direct confrontation with the Trump administration.
While the Wall Street Journal previously hinted at a potential return to a 'maximum pressure' strategy by Trump, the New York Times reported last week that Elon Musk, a Trump ally, allegedly met secretly with Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid, purportedly to reduce tensions.
