United States President Donald Trump has warned that any attempt by Iran to assassinate him would trigger an overwhelming military response from Washington.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said the US military was fully prepared to launch a massive strike against Iran if such a scenario unfolded.
According to him, “1,000 missiles are locked and loaded” and targeted at Iran, with thousands more ready to be deployed if the Iranian government carried out or attempted an attack on the US president.
Trump said standing orders had already been issued, adding that the US military was “ready, willing and able” to completely destroy key locations across Iran if necessary.
His latest remarks come amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran over the future of a fragile ceasefire agreement.
Although Trump recently agreed to resume negotiations with Iran, he insisted the ceasefire was effectively over, accusing Tehran of violating its commitments under the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks. We agreed, but we have made it absolutely clear that the ceasefire is over,” Trump wrote.
Iran, however, rejected Trump’s claims.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had honoured its commitments under the agreement, accusing the United States of violating the deal by reimposing restrictions and taking actions inconsistent with the memorandum.
“There can only be mutual compliance,” Araghchi said, insisting Iran had kept its side of the bargain.
The exchange marks another sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries, weeks after they signed an agreement aimed at ending months of hostilities.
Despite limited direct and indirect talks held in Switzerland and Qatar, negotiations have produced little progress.
The latest war of words also comes as reports indicate Washington has given Tehran until Saturday to stop attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and recognise that the strategic shipping route remains open.
The waterway has become a major flashpoint after Iran effectively shut it following the conflict sparked by US-Israeli strikes earlier this year.
While Iran argues it should control traffic through the strait and collect transit fees, international law generally prohibits either Iran or Oman from blocking passage or imposing tolls.
The US has since carried out strikes on Iranian targets in response to attacks on shipping, while also revoking a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed Iran to export crude oil through August.
Araghchi is expected to travel to Oman on Saturday for talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar and Pakistan have also stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent another escalation.
Despite the renewed diplomatic push, Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, maintained that Tehran would not bow to pressure.
“Ending the war is important for everyone, but this confrontation will never end with Iran’s surrender,” he said, adding that the country remained fully prepared to defend itself.
