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U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States would "completely decimate" Iran if the Iranian government attempted or succeeded in assassinating him, in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, me! Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran - PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!" Trump wrote.
The post came a day after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Israel had shared intelligence with the U.S., indicating Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate Trump.
Separately, the New York Post quoted Trump on Friday as saying he had "left instructions" for the U.S. to bomb Iran "at levels that they've never seen before" if the Islamic Republic assassinates him, claiming he has "been No. 1" on Iran's list of targets "for a long time."
"I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” he said, adding, "… The only thing is, I’ve left instructions, if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before."
"No, no. Israel came up with nothing. No, no," Trump said, adding, "I’ve been No. 1 (on Iran’s kill list) for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know."
However, according to a CNN report citing two U.S. sources familiar with the matter, recent U.S. intelligence assessments show no indication of a new, specific Iranian plot to kill Trump, but rather what the sources described as a steady drumbeat of chatter about various Iranian actors wanting to do so.
Trump's post came during a week of renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran, days after mourners at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made open calls for Trump's death.
Trump had earlier declared that a ceasefire with Iran was "over," though Washington agreed to continue talks requested by Tehran.
Iran and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June under Pakistani mediation aimed at ending their war, which began in late February, and reaching a lasting peace agreement.
The memorandum called for an immediate end to fighting on all fronts, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iran, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides traded attacks this week over the passage of commercial traffic through the strait, with the U.S. striking targets in Iran and Iran retaliating against U.S. assets across the region.
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