Trump warns Iran: Any assassination attempt means total obliteration
Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that Iran would face total destruction if it attempted to assassinate him. He instructed his advisers to take action, emphasizing his administration’s firm stance.
While signing an executive order to tighten pressure on Iran, Trump declared, “If they did that, they would be obliterated… there won’t be anything left.” His warning followed years of Iranian threats against him and other US officials. If Trump were assassinated, Vice President JD Vance would take over, but he would not have to follow Trump’s directives.
US authorities have tracked Iranian plots for years. In 2020, Trump ordered the killing of Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s Quds Force. Since then, Iran has reportedly sought revenge.
US officials linked Iranian threats to heightened security before a July campaign rally in Pennsylvania. That rally ended in an assassination attempt on Trump, who was shot in the ear. However, authorities found no direct Iranian involvement in the attack.
In November, the Justice Department exposed an Iranian plot to kill Trump before the presidential election. Officials accused Iranian operatives of directing 51-year-old Farhad Shakeri to monitor Trump and plan an attack. Shakeri remains in Iran.
Iran dismissed the accusation. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei called it a plot by Israel-linked groups to complicate Iran-US relations. However, FBI investigators detailed Shakeri’s involvement.
According to a federal complaint, Shakeri worked for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. He allegedly paused other activities in September to devise a surveillance plan and execute the assassination. The FBI believes he recruited criminal associates for Iran’s operations.
Recently, Trump revoked security protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, top aide Brian Hook, and former National Security Adviser John Bolton. All three faced Iranian threats due to their tough policies against Tehran during Trump’s first term.
With tensions escalating, US authorities remain on high alert for potential Iranian retaliation.
