U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he has directed the American military to prepare for a sweeping military response against Iran should Tehran carry out or attempt an assassination of the U.S. president, dramatically escalating already strained relations between the two countries following renewed military confrontations in the Middle East.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said military orders had already been issued and warned that the United States would respond with overwhelming force if Iran acted on what he described as threats against his life.
“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!” Trump wrote.
The president added that U.S. forces had already received operational instructions and would remain on heightened readiness for an extended period.
“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,” Trump said.
The remarks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran after a week of renewed military exchanges that have raised concerns about the durability of last month’s ceasefire agreement. While officials from both countries have indicated they remain open to diplomatic contacts, recent strikes have fueled fears that the conflict could expand further.
Trump’s latest warning marks one of his strongest public statements since hostilities intensified again this week. By publicly disclosing that military contingency plans have already been approved, the president sought to underscore what he described as the United States’ readiness to respond immediately to any assassination attempt.
Although Trump did not cite specific intelligence supporting his claims, U.S. officials have previously expressed concerns about threats from Iran against current and former American officials following the U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed revenge for Soleimani’s death while denying involvement in any assassination plots.
The latest statement also comes as Washington continues to increase military pressure on Iran following attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. military facilities across the Gulf region. American officials have accused Tehran of destabilizing regional security, while Iranian authorities have accused the United States of violating previous understandings aimed at reducing hostilities.
Despite the increasingly confrontational rhetoric, both governments have indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. Trump said earlier Friday that the United States and Iran had agreed to continue talks, even as he simultaneously declared that the ceasefire reached last month was effectively over.
The combination of continued diplomacy and escalating military threats reflects the fragile state of relations between Washington and Tehran, where negotiations have repeatedly unfolded alongside military confrontation.
Trump’s latest comments are also likely to intensify international concern over the risk of a broader regional conflict involving U.S. forces and Iran, particularly as tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies.
For now, neither the White House nor the Pentagon has released additional details regarding the military preparations referenced in Trump’s statement, including the scale of forces involved or the circumstances under which the reported contingency plans would be implemented.
With both sides continuing to exchange warnings while leaving the door open for negotiations, the coming days are expected to test whether diplomacy can prevent another sharp escalation in one of the world’s most volatile geopolitical confrontations.
