With tensions rising in the Gulf and heated exchanges occurring, US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that any attempt by Tehran to assassinate him will result in “1,000 missiles” being fired at Iran, leading to its “total ruin and destruction.” This threat has escalated the conflict, which quickly shifted from a temporary understanding back to military confrontation and accusations of treachery.
US President Donald Trump wrote on social media, “1,000 missiles are locked and loaded, aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, and if the Iranian government acts on its threat to kill me… then thousands more missiles will be fired immediately! Orders have been issued, and the US military is ready and capable of destroying and devastating all areas of Iran.”
This stern warning came as the situation between Washington and Tehran appeared to revert to square one; there was heated rhetoric and missile strikes from both sides, even though a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had recently been agreed upon to de-escalate tensions and ensure safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz (SoH).
President Trump’s allegation regarding an assassination plot stems from the long-held US belief that Iran seeks to avenge the 2020 killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike. US prosecutors and intelligence officials have previously alleged that individuals linked to Iran attempted to plot against former US officials involved in that operation.
Experts observe that while Tehran has repeatedly vowed revenge, an actual attempt to assassinate President Trump would certainly invite a massive retaliatory response from the US and could jeopardise the very existence of the Islamic Republic.
Despite this, there has been no softening of Iran’s hardline stance. Following reports regarding the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a statement was issued by Iran’s leadership: “Avenging Iran’s martyred leader is our nation’s demand, and it will certainly be fulfilled. These criminals, whose entire chain of command, from top to bottom, is known, will take the wish to die peacefully in their beds to the grave with them.”
Nevertheless, it is difficult to publicly assess the immediate credibility of any active Iranian plot against the incumbent U.S. President.
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