Iran reportedly informed the US’ Biden administration in October, through an intermediary, that it had no intentions of targeting former President Donald Trump. The communication followed a stern warning from Washington in September that any such action would be treated as “an act of war”.
American officials have claimed that Iran intended to eliminate Trump in retaliation for the 2020 drone strike that eliminated Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who commanded Iran’s militia and proxy forces. The Department of Justice has released two indictments allegedly connected to Iranian schemes against Trump, according to NYT sources.
However, while maintaining their stance that Soleimani’s killing was illegal, Iran’s message explicitly stated they had no intention to kill Trump, according to US officials, an Iranian official and an analyst with connections to both sides, quoted by NYT. The communication indicated Iran’s preference to pursue justice for Soleimani’s death through international legal mechanisms.
Following Trump’s victory in the November 5 election, numerous Iranian former officials, commentators and media outlets have openly advocated for dialogue with the president-elect, despite his allies’ promises to reinstate strict measures against Iran.
Iran’s message maintained their position that Soleimani’s killing was unlawful. However, it also explicitly stated Iran’s lack of intention to kill Trump, as confirmed by US officials, an Iranian official and an analyst with connections to both parties. Instead, the Iranian communication indicated their preference to seek justice for Soleimani’s death through international legal channels.
While US officials noted the message wasn’t a formal letter from a specific individual, the Iranian official and analyst attributed it to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s UN mission offered no response regarding this exchange of messages.
The Iranian plan to attack Trump has been a hot topic between the two nations. During the presidential campaign, US authorities raised concerns about these plot. Recently, New York federal prosecutors revealed discussions among Iranian plotters about assassinating him, claims which Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed as unfounded.