by Douglas Jones
Washington, D.C. — United States President has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, declaring that the Islamic Republic would be “wiped off the face of the earth” if it ever succeeded in assassinating him.
Trump made the remarks during a televised interview on Tuesday, saying he had already issued “very clear instructions” to U.S. security and military officials on how America should respond if Iran carried out any attempt on his life. According to him, the response would be overwhelming and decisive, leaving no room for restraint.
The renewed threat is rooted in long-standing tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly following the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, an action for which Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed revenge. U.S. intelligence agencies in recent years have also acknowledged credible Iranian plots targeting current and former American officials, including Trump.
Iran, however, has strongly pushed back. Lawmakers in Tehran warned that any attack on Iran’s leadership, especially Supreme Leader , would be interpreted as an act of war. Iran’s parliament’s national security committee said such a move could trigger a declaration of jihad and ignite a wider regional conflict.
Iranian officials further insisted that Tehran would respond with “all available means” if attacked, while military spokesmen warned that threats against the country’s leadership could “set the world on fire.”
The sharp exchange comes at a delicate moment for Iran, which is grappling with deep economic challenges, international sanctions, and recurring domestic protests over inflation, unemployment, and governance. Analysts say the Iranian leadership may view strong external rhetoric as a way to project strength amid internal pressures.
Meanwhile, the United States has maintained a heightened military posture in the Middle East, with naval and air assets positioned across the region as part of what officials describe as deterrence and protection of U.S. interests and personnel.
Security experts warn that while the rhetoric on both sides is largely deterrent in nature, the language being used significantly raises the stakes. Any miscalculation, they say, could quickly spiral into a broader confrontation with serious consequences for Middle East stability and global energy markets.
For now, there are no indications of immediate military action. But Trump’s remarks underline how volatile U.S.–Iran relations remain, with personal security threats to the U.S. president now openly tied to the possibility of large-scale conflict.