UPDATE - Iran pledges not to target Trump in written assurances to US: Report

ADDS STATEMENT FROM IRAN'S MISSION TO UN

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Iran provided written assurances to the Biden administration last month that it would not seek to kill Donald Trump, according to a report published on Friday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, said Iran's message delivered to the US on Oct. 14.

It came after a private written American warning sent to Tehran in September, reflecting the Biden administration's public messaging that threats against Trump were a top national security issue and that any attempt on his life would be treated as an act of war, said the Journal.

Neither US officials nor the Trump team commented on whether Iran’s reply was conveyed to the president-elect, according to the report.

Iran's permanent mission to the UN said on Friday that they do not issue public statements on the details of official messages exchanged between the two countries.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has long declared its commitment to pursuing Martyr Soleimani’s assassination through legal and judicial avenues, while adhering fully to the recognized principles of international law," it said.

- 'Unfounded' claims

Previously, Iran dismissed allegations of involvement in a plot to assassinate former and current US officials, including Trump, calling the claims "completely unfounded."

The US Department of Justice filed criminal charges against a man, claiming he was tasked by Iran with "surveilling and plotting to assassinate former and current US government officials, including Trump."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected accusations, describing them as a "repulsive conspiracy" orchestrated by Israel and anti-Iranian factions "to further complicate matters between the US and Iran."

Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, was known for a confrontational stance toward Iran, particularly after his administration withdrew unilaterally from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

The assassination of Iran’s top military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in January 2020 nearly brought the two nations to the brink of direct military conflict.