Iranian Foreign Minister Denies Trump Assassination Plot

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has vehemently denied U.S. allegations linking Tehran to a plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, calling the claims a fabricated scenario designed to complicate U.S.-Iran relations. The U.S. Justice Department charged an Afghan national, Farhad Shakeri, with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, claiming he was tasked by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to surveil Trump. Araghchi ridiculed the notion of an assassin operating from Iran, describing it as a 'third-rate comedy' and asserting that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have characterized the allegations as a conspiracy by anti-Iranian factions, aiming to exacerbate tensions. Despite the denial, Araghchi expressed hope for improved relations, emphasizing mutual respect as the foundation for future interactions. Analysts suggest that while formal diplomatic ties are unlikely, secret negotiations could occur if security concerns are addressed.