Iranian President Denies Allegations Regarding Trump Assassination Plot
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has been accused of planning the assassination of United States President Donald Trump. Pezeshkian has denied these allegations.
According to CNN on Monday (28/09/2026), Pezeshkian responded to questions from a group of journalists in New York, where he was visiting under the protection of the US Secret Service, despite being the leader of a nation currently in conflict with the United States.
During a session covering various topics, held a day after his speech at the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s standard positions regarding war, its nuclear programme, and political opposition within Iran. He also discussed the impact of sanctions on the Iranian people and claimed that Iran would never attempt to assassinate Donald Trump—notwithstanding accusations from the US President and authorities that the regime was planning his death.
These statements were made at the Millennium Hilton Hotel, located very close to the UN headquarters, where the Iranian President stated last Wednesday (23/09) that his country “would not submit” as the conflict with the US continues.
In the press briefing, Pezesh andkian also described his recent meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the start of the war, stating that the leader is “quite healthy.”
Regarding Khamenei’s condition, Pezeshkian said, “I do not see any major issues with his health or physical appearance,” adding that their most recent face-to-face meeting took place approximately one month ago and lasted about seven hours.
Pezeshkian noted that both sat on cushions on the floor and stood to walk during the meeting. US intelligence assessments suggest that, despite his injuries, Khamenei continues to play a crucial role in formulating war strategies alongside senior Iranian officials, according to several sources familiar with intelligence reports from May.
During the briefing, Pezeshkian also denied the allegations that Iran sought to assassinate Donald Trump. “It has never been the position (of the Iranian government), openly or covertly, to attempt to kill Trump or any members of his family,” he added.
Last month, the US Secret Service stated it was aware of a video broadcast by Iranian state television that appeared to threaten the life of Barron Trump, the President’s youngest son. This follows intelligence shared by Israel with the US, suggesting that Iran had designed a plan to assassinate Donald Trump. In late 2024, the US Department of Justice announced federal indictments regarding what was described as an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, which was thwarted before the presidential election.
Hardline Iranian media frequently display content threatening the lives of Trump and his family. During the funeral of the late Khamenei in July, regime loyalists were seen holding posters reading “Kill Trump.” Trump himself has openly discussed the Iranian threats to his life, stating in July: “I am on any list… so far, I think I am a little lucky, but perhaps that will not last very long. They are evil and deranged people.”
White House Response
Responding to Pezeshkian’s statements, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, “The Iranian regime has killed thousands of its own people, killed Americans abroad, conducted terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against neighbouring countries in the region.”
“The President firmly ensures that such an evil nation will never possess nuclear weapons, which would make the entire world safer and more stable,” Kelly added.