Politico: The list of US Officials which Iran is plotting to Assassinate
Politico said that officials in the Biden administration believe that Iran is still continuing its efforts to assassinate US officials, former and current, who it believes are linked to the assassination of Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.
Politico quoted 12 officials familiar with Iranian assassination threats as saying that Iranian efforts have become more daring and comprehensive to target US officials, most notably former President Donald Trump.
Politico explained that it obtained this information from 24 people with direct knowledge of the Soleimani assassination or the threats resulting from it, including current and former US lawmakers, Secret Service agents, congressional aides, and senior officials in the current administration.
According to the officials, there are about a dozen national security aides from the Trump administration on the Iranian assassination list.
These individuals provided details about Iranian efforts related to hacking and digital surveillance against former officials and their family members, as well as repeated warnings issued by the FBI about new threats from Iran and efforts by Iranian elements to pursue a US official during a foreign trip.
Several officials who spoke to Politico believe that the US government is still trying to understand the Iranian threat, and hasn’t yet found a sustainable way to protect all those at risk, which creates an opportunity for Tehran to carry out its threats.
In addition to Trump, who receives Secret Service protection as a former president, at least seven former generals, diplomats and advisers in his administration receive round-the-clock security briefings.
Politico indicated that the list of people receiving ongoing protection are all directly linked to the assassination of Soleimani or were in senior positions in the Trump administration.
According to the officials, the most prominent of these are former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone, Commander of US Central Command Kenneth McKenzie, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook.
Politico pointed out that although US authorities have made unprecedented efforts to protect many threatened officials, some people who are exposed to similar threats don’t receive government protection, including former officials at the National Security Council.
National Security Council spokesman Sean Savitt said the Biden administration views Iran’s threats as a top national security and homeland security issue.
Savitt added that Iran would face severe consequences if it attacked any American citizen, including those who served the government.
