ALBAWABA — President Donald Trump stated he has given unequivocal orders for a severe retaliation against Iran should Tehran attempt to assassinate him, a clear sign of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
In an interview on NewsNation's Katie Pavlich Tonight, Trump declared that the United States would hold Iran entirely responsible if such a plot were to unfold, warning that the response would be aimed at the nation itself. He described the directives he'd given as "extremely strict," indicating zero tolerance for any action against American leaders.
Trump also took aim at former President Joe Biden, suggesting that Washington hadn't reacted strongly enough to previous Iranian threats. He emphasized that a president's responsibility is to safeguard U.S. officials and citizens, regardless of the individual involved.
Reports and Denials
Axios, a U.S. news source, had previously reported that intelligence assessments considered alleged Iranian threats against Trump during his campaign to be more serious than what was publicly known. The report also stated that Trump had instructed his aides to prepare for extreme measures in case of an assassination attempt.
Iran has consistently denied any involvement in plots to kill American figures, labeling the accusations as groundless. Tehran has claimed these allegations are politically driven and unsupported by evidence.
Justice Department Case
The situation escalated after the U.S. Department of Justice revealed charges against an Iranian national. He was accused of acting under Tehran's orders to plan an attack on Trump.
Prosecutors allege the operation was tied to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, presented as a response to the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.
Court documents indicate an unnamed IRGC official directed an agent to keep tabs on Trump and devise a plan for his assassination. The case is currently before a federal court in Manhattan.
The situation underscores the precarious nature of U.S.–Iran relations. Washington has issued stern warnings about the repercussions of any attack on American leaders, while Tehran dismisses the claims. Experts warn that the heated language increases the chances of a misstep, especially given the persistent tensions throughout the Middle East.
