Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected US allegations that Iran plotted to kill Donald Trump or members of his family. Speaking to journalists at a hotel in New York, he said the Iranian government had never attempted such an operation, either openly or secretly.
Pezeshkian said targeting Trump or his relatives had never been a policy of the Iranian government. His remarks came one day after he addressed the UN General Assembly and responded to questions from reporters.
US allegations and security concerns
The statement follows earlier accusations from US officials that Iran had tried to target Trump. US authorities have said Trump's security was increased because of threats linked to Iran. Iranian hard-line media has also carried material described as threatening toward Trump and his family.
The US Justice Department said last year that it had disrupted an alleged plot to assassinate Trump and had brought charges in connection with it. Pezeshkian's comments directly reject the claim that such an effort was ordered or pursued by the Iranian government.
Iran's economic pressure and diplomacy
During the New York meeting, Pezeshkian also discussed Iran's economic condition and the impact of US sanctions. He said the sanctions and the ongoing war had placed heavy pressure on Iran's economy. He described the current situation as extremely difficult and referred to the sanctions as a “silent murder campaign.”
Pezeshkian said Iran was ready for an agreement but would not give in to US pressure. In his UN speech, he had also expressed readiness for talks and diplomacy while rejecting language centred on the use of force.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had presented a proposal to the United States. Under that proposal, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and negotiations could resume if certain conditions were met.
Conclusion
Pezeshkian's remarks combine a denial of US assassination allegations with a stated willingness to pursue an agreement and diplomacy. Araghchi's proposal links further talks and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to conditions that must first be fulfilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What did Masoud Pezeshkian say about Trump?
He said the Iranian government had never tried to kill Trump or any member of his family, either openly or secretly.
Q. Where did Pezeshkian make the statement?
He answered journalists' questions at a hotel in New York.
Q. What have US officials alleged?
US officials have accused Iran of trying to target Trump and have said his security was increased because of Iran-linked threats.
Q. What did the US Justice Department claim last year?
It said an alleged plot to assassinate Trump had been disrupted and that charges had been brought in connection with it.
Q. What did Pezeshkian say about US sanctions?
He said the sanctions had placed heavy pressure on Iran's economy and called them a “silent murder campaign.”
Q. Is Iran ready for an agreement?
Pezeshkian said Iran was ready for an agreement but would not surrender to US pressure.
Q. What did Abbas Araghchi propose?
He said Tehran had offered a proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and talks could resume if certain conditions were met.
