In a significant diplomatic development, Iran has reportedly conveyed to the United States that it will not pursue actions against former President Donald Trump, according to US officials who spoke to the Wall Street Journal. This communication, delivered on October 14, came in response to a classified US warning issued in September.
Iran will not target Donald Trump, says US officials
The Biden administration had previously warned Tehran that any threats against Trump would be considered a matter of highest national security concern and would be treated as an act of war. The Iranian response, while maintaining that Trump committed a crime in ordering the 2020 drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani, expressed intent to pursue justice through legal channels rather than retaliation.
According to the New York Times, the unsigned message is believed to have originated from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though Trump’s awareness of this correspondence remains unclear.
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This diplomatic exchange gains additional significance in light of reports that Elon Musk met privately with Iran’s UN ambassador in New York to discuss potential paths toward easing US-Iran tensions.
The communication marks a notable shift from Iran’s previous stance, which included explicit threats against Trump. In 2022, Khamenei promoted an animated video depicting a drone attack on the former president at a golf course. US authorities have also previously uncovered alleged Iranian assassination plots, including a recent case involving a Pakistani national reportedly working with Iranian handlers.
The threat level remains significant enough that former Donald Trump administration officials, including ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, continue to receive Secret Service protection due to Iranian threats.
As Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House, this apparent de-escalation attempt comes amid broader concerns about US-Iran relations, including recent accusations of Iranian involvement in hacking Trump’s campaign and leaking sensitive information about Vice President-elect JD Vance.
