By: Isuru Parakrama

November 11, Colombo (LNW): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed allegations from the United States linking Tehran to a plot aimed at harming former US President Donald Trump and carrying out attacks on Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.

In a statement made on social media, Araghchi labelled the accusations a “fabricated scenario” lacking credibility, attributing it to a larger attempt to fuel distrust between Iran and the US.

The allegations originated from a recent report by the US Department of Justice, which claimed that Farhad Shakeri, a 51-year-old Iranian national reportedly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Trump.

Remember the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran right after our President's inauguration? Everyone knows who did it and why.

Now, with another election, a new scenario is fabricated with the same goal: as a killer does not exist in reality, scriptwriters are brought in…

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) November 9, 2024

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Shakeri is currently believed to be residing in Tehran and allegedly plotted a mass shooting against Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka set for October 2024.

The US claims Shakeri’s purported plans also included directives from Iran to orchestrate an attack on Israeli tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Araghchi, addressing these allegations, called them part of a “third-rate comedy” crafted to undermine Iran’s international standing. In his remarks, he reiterated Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, urging both nations to seek mutual confidence-building measures rather than fuelling hostilities.

Araghchi maintained Iran’s stance that it has no interest in nuclear weapons, underscoring that Iran’s policies are grounded in Islamic teachings and strategic security calculations.

He called for a “two-way” approach to building confidence and emphasised Iran’s respect for the choices made by American voters in electing their leaders.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the accusations as part of an alleged campaign by Israel and exiled Iranian opposition groups aimed at deepening tensions between Iran and the US.

Analysts in Tehran have speculated that recent shifts in US politics could lead to potential secret talks between the two countries, should security threats against Iran be addressed.

The accusations come as Iran remains engaged in a complex regional environment, especially with its adversary Israel involved in ongoing conflicts with Iranian-aligned groups in Gaza and Lebanon.