Republicans are split over how aggressive the next Trump administration should be toward Tehran as the president-elect pursues an America-first foreign policy.

Iran has sent a message to the Joe Biden administration denying any plans to kill Donald Trump. This development comes after the Biden administration warned Iran in September that any attempt on Mr Trump's life would be considered "an act of war".

Iran-U.S. enmity has been interrupted for only brief periods, one of which came via the 2015 nuclear deal that imposed limits on Iran’s atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew from that deal in 2018 and imposed even harsher sanctions.

Iran strongly opposes Trump's potential second term due to past hostilities, including sanctions and Soleimani's death. Amidst a murder-for-hire plot against Trump, Tehran reportedly assured the Biden administration it would refrain from assassination attempts,