Iran has strongly denied planning to kill former US President Donald Trump. At the same time, three former Trump officials are asking for protection from possible Iranian threats.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani called the reports of a plot against Trump “malicious” and politically motivated. He stated,
“Iran strongly rejects any involvement in the recent armed attack against Trump or claims about Iran’s intention for such an action.”
CNN had earlier reported that the US authorities had found out about an Iranian threat to Trump’s life. The US officials are still currently taking the threat seriously. National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson says it’s “a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority.”
Meanwhile, three former Donald Trump officials – Matthew Pottinger, Victoria Coates, and Robert Greenway – are worried about their own safety. They had sent a letter to the Justice Department 18 months ago asking for help. In it, they wrote,
“It is clear there are specific, credible threats against us and our families by Iran and those inspired to act on Iran’s behalf.”
These officials held important jobs related to national security and the Middle East. They’re frustrated because they haven’t heard back from the government. Pottinger explained, “What we were asking for was not a specific remedy. We wanted a conversation.”
Their concerns started after Donald Trump ordered the drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. Since then, US officials believe Iran has been planning revenge. An Iranian military commander even said on TV, “God willing we will be able to kill” Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and a US general.
Recent events have made things more tense. There was a shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, and an alleged Iranian plot to kill a dissident in Brooklyn. Though the Trump shooting hasn’t been undoubtedly linked to Iran.