US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to launch thousands of missiles at Iran if it attempts to assassinate him. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” He added that “orders have already been given” and claimed the US military is “ready, willing, and able” for a one-year period, subject to extension, “to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran.”
Background of Tensions
Trump earlier declared that a ceasefire with Iran was “over,” but Washington agreed to continue talks requested by Tehran. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Israel recently shared intelligence with the US indicating that Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate Trump.
Previous Ceasefire Efforts
In June, Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding under Pakistani mediation aimed at ending their war that began in late February, and reaching a lasting peace agreement. The MoU called for an immediate end to fighting on all fronts, the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran, and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent Clashes
Despite the ceasefire agreement, both sides traded attacks this week over the passage of commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The US hit targets in Iran, which then retaliated by targeting US assets across the region.
