Donald Trump has warned Iran against any plans to assassinate him, telling Tehran that the US army would “completely decimate and destroy all areas” of the country in retaliation,
Independent reports.
His comments come after the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw open calls for Mr Trump’s death.
In a post on Truth Social early on Saturday, Mr Trump 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!
“Orders have already been given, and 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, which sparked renewed hostilities this week, on a power struggle in Tehran with rogue hardliners seeking to derail the fragile truce.
Mr Trump previously said the US has agreed to continue talks with Iran following recent clashes but stressed in “no uncertain terms” that the ceasefire was over.
But just as Washington was seeking public guarantees over the strait, Tehran’s top diplomat at the United Nations insisted any activity in the Gulf channel “rests exclusively with Iran”.
