Trump Issues Strongest Warning Yet to Iran, Threatens Total Destruction if Attacked

Washington: Former US President Donald Trump has issued his most severe warning to Iran, declaring that the country would be “wiped off the face of the Earth” if Tehran makes any attempt to assassinate him.

According to a report by the Associated Press, Trump made the remarks during an interview with NewsNation. He said he had issued “very strict instructions” to his advisers, adding, “If anything happens to me, they will eliminate Iran completely.” Trump stated that if Iran is found to be behind any attack on him, the US response would be total and irreversible.

These comments expand on Trump’s earlier statements, in which he claimed to have formally instructed US officials to ensure Iran’s destruction should it be linked to any attempt on his life.

Rising Tensions Amid Iran Protests

Trump’s latest remarks come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran following widespread anti-government protests in Iran. Trump has openly expressed support for Iranian protesters and warned that the United States would respond militarily if Iranian authorities continued to kill civilians.

Tehran, in turn, issued a sharp counter‑warning. Iranian officials said that any attempt to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be considered a declaration of full‑scale war.

Iranian Military Responds

Iran’s armed forces also reacted strongly to Trump’s comments. Military spokesperson General Abolfazl Shekarchi said that Trump is fully aware of the consequences, warning, “If even a hand is raised against our leader, we will not only cut it off, but set their entire world on fire.”

The statement was widely seen as a response to Trump’s interview with Politico, in which he described Khamenei as a “sick man” and claimed that Iran was in need of “new leadership.”

Deadly Crackdown in Iran

Tensions have sharply increased since late last year, when protests over inflation and economic decline transformed into a nationwide anti‑regime movement. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on alleged conspiracies by the United States and Israel and launched a severe crackdown.

International human rights organisations estimate that more than 4,500 people have been killed during the suppression, while some reports place the death toll above 12,000. Since 8 January, Iran has shut down internet services nationwide, making independent verification difficult.

Khamenei Admits Large‑Scale Casualties

Last Saturday, Supreme Leader Khamenei acknowledged for the first time that thousands had been killed during the unrest. He blamed the violence on foreign interference, accusing the United States of instigating chaos inside Iran.

The exchange of threats between Trump and Iranian leadership underscores the deepening crisis and raises concerns over further escalation in an already volatile region.