Iran Denies Trump Assassination Plots

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has denied allegations that Iran has ever plotted to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, contradicting claims by the US Justice Department and intelligence agencies. In an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt, Pezeshkian stated that Iran has "never attempted to nor does it plan to assassinate anyone" and that accusations of assassination plots are part of a scheme to promote "Iranophobia".

Pezeshkian's claims come after federal law enforcement officials foiled at least two assassination plots against Trump in 2024. In November, the US Justice Department announced criminal charges against Farhad Shakeri, an Iranian national involved in a plot to assassinate Trump before the 2024 presidential election. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Iran poses a significant threat to US national security and that the Justice Department has charged an Iranian regime asset who was tasked with directing a network of criminal associates to further Iran's assassination plots against its targets, including President-elect Donald Trump.

Additionally, Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was also charged in an assassination plot against Trump last year. FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed that Merchant had "close ties to Iran" and had allegedly been sent to the United States to assassinate Trump.

Pezeshkian's denial of Iranian involvement in assassination plots against Trump has raised questions about the accuracy of his claims, given the evidence presented by US authorities. The US Justice Department's allegations and the charges brought against Iranian nationals suggest that Iran may have indeed been involved in plots to assassinate Trump.