President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that the U.S. would “annihilate and destroy” Iran if they attempt to assassinate him.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “There are 1,000 missiles blocked and on board, destined for the Islamic Republic of Iran, and thousands more will follow if the Iranian government proceeds with any assassination threats against the sitting President of the United States.”
He also mentioned that he has instructed the U.S. military to prepare for potential retaliation in case of such an attack.
Trump’s statements followed a report from the Wall Street Journal, which revealed that Israeli intelligence had alerted U.S. officials about a possible Iranian plan to target him for assassination.
During a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump labeled himself as Iran’s number one target.
He asserted, “I’m number one on Iran’s kill list,” stressing that he’s been aware of this situation for quite some time.
Earlier in the day, he told the New York Post about his standing orders to respond with a “bombing campaign” unprecedented in scale should an assassination plot succeed. “The only thing is that I left instructions, that if something happens, to literally bomb at a level you’ve never seen before,” he remarked.
Though some reports suggested Israel had verified the existence of a new Iranian plot against him, Trump dismissed those claims. “No, no, Israel didn’t come up with anything,” he said, acknowledging his long-standing status as a target.
In light of the escalating tensions with Iran following his Turkey visit, the U.S. Secret Service reportedly recommended that he should use an older Air Force One model for added security. While the White House didn’t confirm whether these changes were due to specific threats, it did note that the newest Air Force One is equipped with advanced security features.
Trump noted that Iranian officials have been intent on targeting him since he ordered the military strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. This week, during the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, mourners vocally called for his assassination.
The situation remains tense, especially after a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has recently come to an end. Following an Iranian attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. has ramped up military actions, targeting Iranian infrastructure.
Trump emphasized that if Iran continues its aggression, they should expect further American military response.
