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- The Islamic Republic of Iran was reportedly considering a plot to assassinate the US ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks. Iran rejected these reports.
- The State Security Agency said senior government officials met with their US counterparts about the alleged assassination plot.
- He said that at present, there is insufficient information to support the allegations of a credible threat.
Senior government officials have met with their US counterparts over an alleged plot to assassinate the US ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks.
“At present, the information provided is not sufficient to support the allegation that there is a credible threat against the US ambassador to South Africa.”
This is according to the State Security Agency (SSA), which in a statement on Friday said that government officials had requested additional information from US officials.
SSA spokeswoman Mava Scott said: “Once the information is received, the facts will be reviewed and reevaluated.”
“Our sovereignty and territorial integrity are of the utmost importance to the South African government and its people.”
READ | Ambassador Assassination Plan: SSA Ensures Lana Marks Safety, While Iran Dismisses Media Reports
“In this regard, the South African government takes any alleged threat seriously and therefore we have increased our security / alert situation. It is our duty to protect all diplomatic missions and their personnel, present in South Africa.”
Scott added that South Africa values its bilateral and multilateral relations and would not compromise on any security issue.
On Monday, News24 reported that the SSA had interacted with all relevant partners, both at home and abroad, to make sure the diplomat was not harmed.
The interaction took place in the wake of a Politico media report alleging that the Islamic Republic of Iran was said to be considering a plan to kill Marks.
The report indicated that US officials were aware of a threat against her in apparent retaliation for the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by the United States in January 2020.
Soleimani’s killing with a drone was intended to deter Iranian aggression, the US State Department said at the time.
The SSA said in an earlier statement that it had taken note of reports about the alleged assassination plot and the growing public interest in the matter.
READ | US Claims Iran Plots to Assassinate South African Ambassador Lana Marks
State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said South Africa has a duty to protect all diplomatic officials who are in state service in the country.
“It should be noted that the nature of the allegation and the concomitant threat does not allow us to provide detailed updates on the investigations,” Scott added.
“Reports will be provided to all relevant authorities, including the president of the republic, the minister of international relations and cooperation, and relevant officials of the United States administration.”
Iran dismisses assassination plan
Meanwhile, in a statement Monday, Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed the report from the US-based media house.
He described it as “personalized, biased and determined.”
“We advise American officials to stop resorting to hackneyed and worn-out methods of anti-Iran propaganda in the international arena,” Khatibzadeh said.
“As a responsible member of the international community, the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated its consistent commitment to international diplomatic principles and standards.”
Khatibzadeh called the accusations part of US President Donald Trump’s counterintelligence campaign against Iran, adding that it was predictable that the United States would resort to accusations and falsifications against Iran before the US presidential elections.
Regarding Soleimani’s assassination, the Islamic Republic of Iran will go ahead with international legal action at all levels, he said.
On Friday, the SSA reiterated that such assassination plots against diplomats were viewed in a very serious light.
“We urge everyone to remain calm,” Scott said.
