U.S. intelligence agencies said there was an Iranian plot to eliminate former President Donald Trump in revenge for Qassim Suleimani’s killing before Saturday’s shooter attempted to assassinate the presidential candidate at Butler, Pennsylvania rally.

Mr Suleimani, Iranian security and intelligence commander, was killed by U.S. forces in 2020, under Mr Trump’s watch over the death of U.S. troops.

Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the U.S. National Security Council, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday amid an investigation of Saturday’s shooting at Mr Trump’s campaign.

“As we have said many times, we have been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the last administration,” Ms Watson said.

She added, “These threats arise from Iran’s desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassim Suleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority.”

Ms Watson, however, noted that Saturday’s failed assassination attempt on Mr Trump had nothing to do with Iran’s plot to assassinate the former American president.

“The investigation of Saturday’s attempted assassination of former President Trump is active and ongoing,” Ms Watson said. “At this time, law enforcement has reported that their investigation has not identified ties between the shooter and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic.”

This revelation follows Saturday’s shooting that saw a bullet grazed Mr Trump’s ear, with one dead and others injured as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old shooter from Pennsylvania, opened fire at the campaign.

American President Joe Biden has condemned the attack, ordering a thorough investigation into the incident while urging Americans to avoid speculating about the shooter’s motives or affiliations.