Attack the United States: what Trump knows about Iran’s plans
In two tweets last Monday, Trump appeared to react to information published Saturday by Politico magazine, which cited U.S. intelligence sources and claimed that the Iranian government plans to assassinate U.S. Ambassador in South Africa, Lana Marks.
…caused over so many years. Any attack by Iran, in any form, against the United States will be met with an attack on Iran that will be 1,000 times greater in magnitude!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2020
According to the Politico’s article, the alleged Iranian plan to assassinate Marks would be retaliation for the death of “powerful” Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, which occurred in a US bombardment last January.
Trump defends decision to annihilate Soleimani
Trump again on Monday defended his decision to take down Soleimani by claiming that he was “planning a future attack in which he was going to assassinate American troops“, as well as holding him accountable for “deaths and suffering for many years” as commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force.
That U.S. operation triggered tensions between Washington and Tehran earlier this year, and in July, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamjaní warned that the U.S. is still ahead of a tougher vendetta for killing that general.
However, the Iranian government has flatly rejected rumors that it plans to assassinate the U.S. ambassador and has linked them to an attempt by the Donald Trump Administration to allegedly tarnish Iran’s image.
South Africa takes note
The Government of South Africa said on Monday that it takes note of information pointing to an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the U.S. ambassador, and assured that the matter is “receiving the necessary attention” to ensure its security.
South Africa, which has good ties to the Persian state, confirmed in a statement its “duty to protect to the fullest all officials in service to its country” in the African nation.
