The US received intelligence in recent weeks about a plot by Iran to try to assassinate former president Donald Trump, American news organisations reported on Tuesday.
"We have been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the last administration," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
"These threats arise from Iran's desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Suleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority."
Suleimani, head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations, was assassinated in a US drone attack near Baghdad International Airport early in 2020.
There was no indication that the 20-year-old suspect in the shooting of Mr Trump on Saturday, Thomas Mathew Crooks, was connected to the plot, Ms Watson said of the continuing investigation.
The US Secret Service and the Trump campaign were made aware of the plot before Saturday's rally, a national security official told CNN, which first reported the news.
"We are ... consistently in touch with the agencies overseeing the security details of these former officials to share evolving threat information on a timely basis and to reinforce President [Joe] Biden's directive that they receive every resource, capability and protective measure required to address those evolving threats," Ms Watson said.
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Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump gestures as he is surrounded by US Secret Service agents and helped off stage at a campaign rally. AP Photo -
Police snipers return fire after shots were fired while Trump was speaking at a campaign event in Butler. AP Photo -
Members of the crowd react as US Secret Service agents surround Trump at the campaign event in Butler. AP Photo -
Trump is helped off stage by US Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler. AP Photo -
Trump supporters laying in the stands after shots were fired at the campaign event. AFP -
People scatter after gunfire rang out during the campaign rally in Pennsylvania. AFP -
Trump is rushed off stage after an incident during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania. EPA -
Blood is seen in the stands after shots were fired at Trump's campaign event at Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania. AFP -
Trump reacts as shots ring out during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Reuters -
Secret Service agents dive to cover Trump after shots were heard. AP -
Trump is covered by Secret Service agents on stage. AP -
Trump is rushed off stage. EPA -
Trump is shown covered by Secret Service agents. AFP -
Blood can be seen on Trump's head after shots were heard. AFP -
Trump is taken away from rally. ABC/ US Network Pool / Reuters -
Supporters look on as Trump is rushed off stage. EPA -
Trump is pushed into a vehicle by Secret Service agents. AP -
A person is removed by state police from the stands after the shooting. AFP -
Secret Service agents surround the stage. AP -
Secret Service agents patrol after the incident. Reuters -
A Secret Service agent gives directions at the Trump rally. Getty Images / AFP -
The stage after the shooting. Reuters -
People watch the Trump rally on TV. AP -
A monitor displays news from Trump's rally. Bloomberg -
Trump gestures he leaves the stage at the campaign rally. AP Photo
The agency has come under scrutiny in recent days after the suspected gunman gained access to a roof and fired directly at Mr Trump, grazing his ear, killing a rallygoer and critically injuring two others.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said at the weekend that the "US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures".
The agency's director, Kimberly Cheatle, will testify on the shooting at a House of Representatives oversight committee hearing next Monday.
Ms Watson said the Secret Service and Homeland Security Department would brief about "additional measures that have been implemented in recent weeks".
Mr Guglielmi told CNN that the agency had recently “added protective resources and capabilities to the former president’s security detail”.
The Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The National.
Iran has been charged with trying to attack Mr Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton and former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in assassination plots.
NBC News says they continue to have security details due to the threats.
The US in January imposed sanctions on a network of people linked to the Iranian government for their alleged involvement in assassination attempts against dissidents and opposition activists abroad.
The network is believed to have carried out several assassinations, kidnappings and other operations – including in the US – “in an attempt to silence the Iranian regime's perceived critics”.
"These accusations are unsubstantiated and malicious," Iran's mission to the UN told The National, adding that Tehran regards Mr Trump as a criminal for his involvement in the assassination of Suleimani.
"Iran has chosen the legal path to bring him to justice," the mission said.
Mr Trump had a contentious relationship with Iran while in office.
In 2018 he withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which provided sanctions relief in return for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear programme.
After the US withdrawal, he began a “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions against Iran.
Adla Massoud contributed to this report from the UN
