Iran told the United States last month that it would not try to kill Donald Trump, US officials said The Wall Street Journalin what could be an effort to ease tensions as the former president prepares to return to the White House.

The Iranian assurance, delivered on October 14, was a response to a top-secret US warning sent in September. U.S. officials said the Biden administration made clear to Tehran that any threat against Trump is a top national security concern, and any such action would be treated as an act of war.

In its message, Iran accused Trump of committing a crime by ordering the 2020 drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimaniwho was not only a powerful military commander but also incredibly popular at home.

However, Iranian officials said the country has no intention of targeting Trump. Iran instead stated that it is seeking justice for Soleimani’s killing through legal channels.

The unsigned note reportedly came from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to an Iranian official and analyst who spoke to New York Times (NYT).

It is unclear whether Trump or his team have been briefed on the correspondence.

The development comes as reports surfaced about the Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk meets privately with Iran’s UN ambassador in New York this week to discuss easing tensions between the two countries, according to NEW.

The reported communication from Iran follows years of threats from Tehran against Trump. In 2022, Khamenei promoted an animated video depicting a drone attack on the former president on a golf course.

In recent years, US authorities have linked Iran to alleged assassination plots targeting Trump and his former officials. In July, prosecutors said a Pakistani national, allegedly working with Iranian handlers, was detained for conspiring to target Trump.

Other former Trump administration officials, including ex-national security adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, remain under Secret Service protection due to threats from Iran.

Iran has also been accused of hacking Trump’s campaign and leaking sensitive information about Vice President-elect JD Vance.

After Trump’s election win, some Iranian officials and analysts have called for a more conciliatory approach in dealing with Washington, even as the president-elect’s Iran-aligned allies vow to renew pressure on the US foe.