Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, has vehemently denied U.S. accusations linking Tehran to an alleged plot to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump and target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Araqchi dismissed the claims as a “third-rate comedy,” accusing the U.S. of fabricating a new narrative. “A killer does not exist in reality, scriptwriters are brought in to manufacture a third-rate comedy,” Araqchi wrote, referring to the alleged plot, which U.S. authorities say was orchestrated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The charges, which surfaced following the FBI’s investigation into a potential assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, have fueled tensions between Iran and the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice also implicated an Iranian national, Farhad Shakeri, in the plot to target Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka. According to the FBI, Shakeri, believed to be an operative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is accused of planning a mass shooting against Israeli tourists at a Sri Lankan tourist destination, allegedly set to occur in October 2024.
Araqchi sharply rejected the allegations, recalling a previous assassination plot against Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. “Remember the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran right after our President’s inauguration? Everyone knows who did it and why,” Araqchi remarked in his post. He further questioned the credibility of the U.S. accusations, stating, “Who can in their right mind believe that a supposed assassin SITS IN IRAN and talks online to the FBI?”
In response to the accusations, Araqchi emphasized that Iran respects the American people’s decision to elect their president, regardless of who that may be. “The American people have made their decision. And Iran respects their right to elect the President of their choice. The path forward is also a choice. It begins with respect,” he stated, highlighting the need for mutual respect in international relations.
Iran has long maintained that it does not seek nuclear weapons, a stance Araqchi reiterated, stressing that this policy aligns with Islamic teachings and Iran’s security calculations. “Iran is NOT after nuclear weapons, period,” he said, before calling for confidence-building measures between the two countries. “Confidence-building is needed from both sides. It is not a one-way street,” Araqchi added.
The Foreign Ministry in Tehran also dismissed the assassination plot claims as a “repulsive” attempt by Israel and Iranian opposition groups abroad to create further discord between Iran and the U.S. Iranian analysts, however, have not ruled out the possibility of improved relations between Tehran and Washington, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Saeed Laylaz, a Tehran-based political analyst, remarked, “Iran will act based on its own interests. It is possible that secret talks between Tehran and Washington take place. If security threats against the Islamic Republic are removed, anything is possible.”
Amid rising tensions with Israel, which is engaged in military operations against Iran’s allies in Gaza and Lebanon, Iran remains wary of a broader regional conflict. The alleged assassination plot and attacks on Israeli tourists, if true, could further complicate efforts for de-escalation.
