US President Donald Trump has delivered one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, saying the country would face total destruction if it attempted to assassinate him.
Speaking during an interview aired on NewsNation on Tuesday, Mr Trump said he had already issued what he described as “very firm instructions” on how the United States should respond if any harm came to him from Tehran.
“If anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth,” the president said, responding to reports of alleged threats from Iranian figures.
The remarks come amid heightened rhetoric between Washington and Tehran, with Mr Trump claiming he has received what he called disturbing death threats linked to Iran. While stressing that no such attempt has been carried out, the US president warned that the consequences would be catastrophic if Iran crossed that line.
“They shouldn’t be doing it,” he said during an appearance on Katie Pavlich Tonight, adding that plans were already in place to ensure an overwhelming response.
According to Mr Trump, those instructions would leave Iran with no chance of recovery in the event of an assassination.
“If they did that, they would be obliterated. That would be the end,” he said. “There won’t be anything left.”
The president did not provide evidence of an active plot but maintained that the warning was intended as a deterrent. He said Iran should not even contemplate such an action, describing the potential fallout as devastating for the country.
Iranian authorities have not responded publicly to Mr Trump’s comments.
