Donald Trump has been briefed by U.S. intelligence agencies on an Iranian threat to assassinate him, his campaign says.
The Republican presidential nominee was briefed on “real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in order to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States,” the campaign said in a statement.
It did not elaborate on the claims, and it was unclear whether the threats it mentioned were new or had been reported previously.
The Iranian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Tehran has previously denied claims of U.S. interference in U.S. affairs.
“Intelligence officials have discovered that these sustained and coordinated attacks have intensified over the past few months,” Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.
“Law enforcement officials from all agencies are working hard to ensure President Trump is protected and the election is not interfered with,” he added.
The BBC has contacted the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for comment.
Trump previously survived an assassination attempt on July 13, when he was injured and another person died in a shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania. A motive has not been determined and remains under investigation.
Days later, U.S. media reported that officials had received intelligence about an alleged Iranian plot against the former president. Iranian officials denied at the time that the accusations were “malicious,” according to BBC America partner CBS News.
“If they do ‘assassinate President Trump’ – which is always possible, I want the United States to destroy Iran and wipe it off the face of the earth – if that doesn’t happen, the American leaders will be seen as ‘gutless’ Coward! Trump wrote on his “Truth Social” platform at the time.
Then, on September 15, a Secret Service agent found a rifle pierced through a fence at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The agents opened fire as Mr. Trump played golf.
U.S. prosecutor charges Ryan Wesley RouthA man was arrested near a golf course for attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate.
There is no indication of Iranian involvement in either case.
Last month, the Trump campaign said Some of its internal communications were hacked and suggested it was targeted by Iranian agents.
