U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that if the country were to attempt an assassination against him, it would face severe consequences. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump emphasized that he has instructed his advisers to ensure that Iran would be "obliterated" in such an event. The comments came as he signed a presidential memorandum aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Tehran.
"If they did that they would be obliterated," Trump declared, reflecting the heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The memorandum calls for the U.S. government to impose maximum sanctions on Iran, aiming to curb its nuclear ambitions and regional influence. Trump reiterated his belief that Iran is dangerously close to developing nuclear weapons and stressed the U.S. right to restrict Iranian oil sales to other nations.
Federal authorities have been monitoring Iranian threats against Trump and his administration for several years, particularly following the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. This incident has led to increased security measures for Trump and other officials, especially during campaign events, although officials have clarified that a recent assassination attempt against Trump in Pennsylvania was not linked to Iran.
In November, the Justice Department announced that it had thwarted an Iranian plot to kill Trump ahead of the presidential election. The alleged plan involved an Iranian operative, Farhad Shakeri, who was reportedly instructed by Iranian officials to surveil and ultimately assassinate the president. Shakeri remains at large in Iran, and Iranian officials have dismissed the allegations as fabrications aimed at complicating U.S.-Iran relations.
Trump’s latest memorandum directs the U.S. Treasury to enforce stringent sanctions on Iran, including measures to reduce its oil exports to zero. This comes as Iran’s oil revenue has seen significant gains, with estimates showing exports bringing in approximately $53 billion in 2023. The memorandum also seeks to reinstate international sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, which the U.S. withdrew from in 2018.
During the announcement, Trump expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran, aiming to persuade the country to abandon its nuclear weapons program. However, he has accused the Biden administration of failing to enforce oil-export sanctions effectively, which he claims has allowed Iran to fund its military activities in the region.
As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, with European leaders indicating their readiness to reimpose sanctions on Iran if necessary. The situation remains fluid, and the implications of Trump’s aggressive stance could have significant repercussions for U.S.-Iran relations in the months to come.