The US earlier demanded that Iran publicly state the Strait of Hormuz is open and that ships using the vital waterway will not be attacked – but officials blamed the latest strikes against vessels on a power struggle in Tehran
Donald Trump has revealed he’s left his advisors “instructions” for if he’s assassinated by Iran.
The US President made the bold statement after days of labelling himself Iran’s “No. 1 target”. He said: “I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”
Trump’s warning came after open calls for his death at the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Responding on his Truth Social channel, he wrote: “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!
“The U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran – PRAISE BE TO ALLAH! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The US earlier demanded that Iran publicly state the Strait of Hormuz is open and that ships using the vital waterway will not be attacked. Officials have blamed the latest strikes against vessels on a power struggle in Tehran with rogue hardliners trying to derail the fragile truce.
Trump previously said the US has agreed to continue talks with Iran following recent clashes but stressed the ceasefire was over. But just as Washington was seeking public guarantees over the strait, Tehran’s top diplomat insisted any activity in the Gulf channel “rests exclusively with Iran”.
Ending Tehran’s stranglehold on the sea route had been a key demand in previous negotiations. But the initial deal reached between the US and Iran only provides for safe, toll-free passage of the waterway for 60 days, pending the outcome of a final agreement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear plans.
The pact also leaves it to Iran and Oman, along with other Gulf states, to “define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz”. It comes as Iran has continued demanding ships seek permission to transit through the strait.
It’s not the first time Trump has indicated he wants the US military to destroy the country should Iranian officials follow through on alleged plans to assassinate him. While signing an executive order threatening “maximum pressure” against the regime in February 2025, the president said the country “would be obliterated” if he is killed.
