Iran-US war latest: Trump says military will ‘completely decimate and destroy’ Iran if he’s assassinated
Escalating Tensions: Trump Warns of Massive Retaliation Against Iran Following Assassination Threats
Iran US war latest - Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have reached a critical juncture as President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, promising that the American military would "completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran" should he fall victim to an assassination attempt. The threat was delivered through a late-night Truth Social post, underscoring the gravity of the situation as diplomatic efforts struggle to contain the escalating conflict.
Assassination Plot and Funeral Tensions
The heightened state of alert comes amid growing reports of a potential assassination plot targeting the American president, with threatening messages reportedly observed during the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In an earlier statement to the New York Post on Friday, Trump revealed that he had "left instructions" to ensure a robust response in the event of his death.
The president's rhetoric grew even more forceful as he declared that American forces would "literally bomb them at levels that they've never seen before." This declaration was accompanied by a message posted on his official website stating 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." The post concluded with the declaration: "He added that the US military would 'completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran - PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!'"
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens
Compounding the diplomatic crisis, American officials are pressing Iran to make a public declaration confirming that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international navigation. According to reports, Washington is demanding that Tehran vow to cease attacks on vessels attempting to transit through this vital maritime corridor.
So far, Tehran has declined to issue such a statement, maintaining instead that the waterway should remain under Iranian control and that the nation retains the right to levy charges on ships navigating through it. This position represents a significant departure from decades of established precedent that recognizes the strait as an international waterway.
The maritime tensions were further inflamed when Iran reportedly struck three ships in the strait earlier this week, prompting two consecutive nights of American military strikes against Iranian islands, ports, and critical infrastructure. In response to these developments, Qatari negotiators have been dispatched to Iran in what sources describe as a desperate attempt to revive stalled diplomatic talks following disputes over navigation rights that led to the collapse of previous negotiations.
Diplomatic Efforts and Economic Impact
While insisting that the US-Iran ceasefire had effectively ended following the exchange of strikes this week, Trump simultaneously agreed to resume negotiations with Tehran. Iranian officials are scheduled to travel to Oman on Saturday for discussions focused on resolving the strait crisis, according to various reports.
The ongoing conflict is already having measurable economic consequences within the United States. Gas prices continue their upward trajectory as prospects for a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran appear increasingly distant. According to data from the AAA motor club, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $3.88 on Friday. This followed a significant one-day increase on Thursday, when prices spiked by five cents per gallon to nearly $3.85.
Sanctions and Leadership Transition
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has defended his nation's position, asserting that Tehran has maintained its commitments thus far. Writing on the social media platform X, Araghchi stated: "Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called US Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU." He continued, noting that "That violation follows other violations and missteps by the United States. Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance."
In parallel diplomatic developments, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting Ali Ansari, an Iranian banker and businessman based in Dubai. Ansari, who had previously been sanctioned by Britain for his financial support of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and related entities, is accused of diverting publicly funded wealth into an extensive overseas portfolio of real estate and commercial holdings. The sanctions also encompassed thirteen additional individuals and entities connected to Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
Presidential Schedule Amid Crisis
According to his White House schedule, which was posted online by NewNation's Libbey Dean, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. throughout the weekend. No public engagements have been scheduled, with his calendar simply indicating "executive time" beginning at 8 a.m. ET on both Saturday and Sunday, suggesting the president will dedicate these days to addressing the escalating situation.
"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," Mr Trump wrote on his website.
"Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called US Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU," he wrote on X.