Iranian President Massoud Pezheshkian says his country “never” plotted to kill President-elect Trump and assured that “we never will.”
Pezheshkian made the statement during an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt on Tuesday in Tehran. US intelligence officials said Iran was exploring an attempt on Trump’s life before Election Day.
“This is another one of the schemes that Israel and other countries are devising to promote Iranophobia. … Iran has never tried to kill anyone, nor does it plan to kill anyone. At least as far as I know. “
“You’re saying the Iranians never conspired to kill Donald Trump?” Holt asked.
Iran Regime Under ‘Extreme Pressure’ Amid Incoming Trump Admin Policies, Regional Losses, Economic Troubles
Iranian President Massoud Pezheshkian walks on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City. (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
“Nothing,” Pezheshkian replied. “We never tried to start this, and we never will.”
This statement came as Trump’s incoming Special Envoy for Ukraine and RussiaRay Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg recently said the United States should return to a policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran.
“For the United States, a policy of maximum pressure must be restored, and it must be restored with the help of the rest of the world, and that includes standing with the Iranian people and their aspirations for democracy,” Kellogg said.
Iran expands weapons capabilities critical to nuclear bomb use
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The retired lieutenant general said Iran’s development and acquisition of a nuclear weapon would be the most destabilizing event for the Middle East. Kellogg reminded the opposition group that Then President Trump left From the Iran nuclear deal during his first term, even with opposition from those who served in the first administration.
Trump mulls move to block Tehran nuclear program amid reports Israel is monitoring Iran nuke sites
Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as Iran nuclear dealDuring his first term in 2018 and reimposed crippling economic sanctions. While some, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praised the move, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Germany urged the president to remain committed to the deal.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg speaks during a press conference at the White House in 2020. (Drew Anger/Getty Images)
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Kellogg’s comments, made just days before Trump takes office for his second term, are yet another indication of how another Trump administration will deal with the threat posed by Iran while much of the Middle East is embroiled in conflict. October 7 Terrorist attack on Israel.
