President Trump warned Iran late Monday amid reports that U.S. intelligence officials believe Tehran is considering a plan to assassinate a U.S. ambassador that his administration’s response would be “1,000 times greater in magnitude.”
“According to press reports, Iran may be planning an assassination, or other attack, against the United States in retaliation for the killing of terrorist leader Soleimani, which was carried out for his planning a future attack, murdering U.S. Troops, and the death & suffering caused over so many years,” Trump tweeted.
“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!” the president added.
Politico reported over the weekend that two unidentified sources confirmed the plot. One official told the news outlet that the Iranian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, is involved in discussions about possibly assassinating the U.S. ambassador in the country, Lana Marks, adding that intelligence has become more specific in recent weeks.
U.S. officials have been aware of the threat for several months, according to Politico. Marks is reportedly one of several U.S. officials that could be targeted.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran spiked earlier this year following a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January. The Trump administration has also reimposed sanctions previously relaxed under the Obama-era Iranian nuclear agreement.