Trump has warned Iran that the United States is prepared to respond with overwhelming military action if Tehran attempts to assassinate him. In a blistering post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that “1,000 missiles are locked and loaded” and aimed at Iran, and thousands more if an attack takes place.
Trump said the warning was directed at what he described as repeated threats made by Iran against the sitting President of the United States.
"1,000 Missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, if the Iranian Government acts on its threat... to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!" he wrote.
The US President also said he had already authorized military preparations in anticipation of any such attack.
"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," Trump said.
The comments came a day after Israeli intelligence had advised US officials of an alleged Iranian assassination plot targeting Trump. Israeli intelligence had received information that Tehran was allegedly planning an attack on the US President, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that American intelligence agencies have been monitoring a steady flow of information regarding potential threats against Trump in recent weeks. But the Israeli intelligence was reportedly the first to identify what officials described as a specific alleged assassination plan.
Trump’s comments also come at a sensitive moment in US-Iran relations. But the President said Washington has agreed to continue talks with Tehran.
In another Truth Social post, Trump said Iran had asked for continuation of negotiations and the United States had accepted. At the same time, he insisted that the ceasefire between the two countries was effectively over.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump wrote.
His comments came just weeks later, with resumed military strikes from the past two days of military strikes and amid growing fears that conflicts in the Middle East could reignite and erupt into a wider regional war again. The latest escalation comes days after Washington and Tehran have struck a deal with Iran to transform the cease-fire to turn months of fragile peace into a more lasting peace.
Despite the increased rhetoric, diplomatic efforts are expected to continue. US and Iranian officials will meet in Switzerland on Monday for another round of nuclear negotiations, and that’s the tension between military defense and diplomacy, Axios reported.
