President Biden is resisting Republican demands to warn Iran in no uncertain terms that killing former President Donald Trump would be an act of war.
The White House declined to comment on specific demands, but referred to President Trump's recent statements regarding Iranian threats to his life.
“We consider this a top national and homeland security priority and strongly condemn these brazen threats from Iran,” said National Security Council spokesman Sean Savitt.
Savit said Iran has long sought revenge against President Trump and his officials for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
“We have ensured that the appropriate agencies continuously and rapidly provide evolving threat information to the former President's security detail. Additionally, President Biden has confirmed that the U.S. Secret Intelligence Service will continue to provide evolving threat information to the former President's security detail.” “He reiterated his directive that he receive all necessary resources, capabilities, and protections for his actions.” ”
Trump explains 'real and concrete' threat of assassination
President Biden is resisting Republican demands to warn Iran in no uncertain terms that killing President Trump would be an act of war. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
According to the campaign, top U.S. intelligence officials briefed President Trump on Tuesday about Iran's threat to assassinate him.
On Wednesday, President Trump urged Biden to warn that such threats put Iran at risk of a violent war with the United States.
“As you know, there have been two assassination attempts on my life that we know about, and we don't know if Iran was involved,” Trump said at a campaign event in North Carolina. “No, but there is a possibility that they are involved.”
“If I were president, I would notify the threatening country, in this case Iran, that if you do anything that harms this person, I will blow your metropolis and the country itself into smithereens. “I guess,” he added.
President Trump said he and his people face a “direct threat from Iran” and that his administration needs to know the consequences of harming American political candidates.
“The best way to do that is through the office of the president. [if] As we say, attack a former president or presidential candidate and your country will be blown to smithereens. ”
The White House said Iran has long sought retaliation against President Trump and his officials for the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. (Spokesperson of the Supreme Leader of Iran/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner also called on Biden to warn Iran.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris must make clear to Iran that any attempt on President Trump's life is an act of war,” the Ohio Republican said in a statement Thursday.
But the incident comes as Middle East watchers believe Iran could be weeks or months away from being capable of building a nuclear weapon, with its uranium enrichment capacity rapidly approaching the 90% threshold and Activities at two nuclear weapons test sites have also resumed.
Trump also said it was “strange” that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was provided with generous protection when he traveled to New York this week to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
Does Iran want Kamala Harris to win? experts give their opinions
Referring to himself, President Trump said, “We have a large security force guarding him, and yet they are threatening our former president and a leading candidate to be the next president of the United States.'' “There is,” he said.
Under a treaty with the United Nations, the United States is obligated to provide security to foreign leaders in the General Assembly.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
U.S. intelligence officials revealed last week that Iran recently obtained information by hacking the Trump campaign and then passed it on to the Biden campaign and media.
Mr. Pezeshkian, who took office in July, ran for office by suggesting he would moderate the government in order to lift sanctions from Western countries.
