Trump Reveals Military Orders to Retaliate If Iran Attempts Assassination

Former U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed that he left explicit instructions for the American military to respond with unprecedented force if Iran attempts to assassinate him. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump stated, "If something happens, just bomb them with a force they have never seen." He noted that he has been at the top of Iran's kill list for years and described the threat as a constant reality he faces. "I have been number one on their kill list for a long time," he said, adding with dark humor, "I hope you will miss me."

This revelation followed a Wall Street Journal report that Israel had passed new intelligence to the U.S. indicating an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. Trump dismissed the report, saying Israel "discovered nothing" and that he was unaware of any new conspiracy beyond Iran's longstanding desire to harm him. However, American media reports varied: while the Wall Street Journal suggested the Israeli intelligence revealed a new Iranian plan that surprised Washington officials, CNN reported the intelligence lacked a detailed operational plan and instead indicated extremist Iranian leaders, including Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi, wished to kill Trump.

The threat prompted unusual security measures. The Wall Street Journal reported that during his return from the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump switched from the new presidential plane received from Qatar to the older Air Force One, as the new plane was not yet fully equipped with missile defense and detection systems. U.S. officials said the threat was not fully credible but decided not to take risks.

Hours after the interview, Trump intensified his warning on Truth Social, stating that a thousand American missiles were "armed and ready" targeting Iran, with thousands more prepared to launch immediately if Tehran attempted an assassination. He claimed the military was prepared to act for a year, with the possibility to extend.

Iran's threat against Trump is longstanding, especially after he ordered the killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed revenge, with large banners in Tehran calling for Trump's death during Ali Khamenei's funeral and chants declaring his assassination a duty. U.S. law enforcement has uncovered real plots, including the 2024 indictment of Iranian agent Farhad Shakari for tracking Trump and planning his assassination, and the conviction of Asif Merchant, trained by the Revolutionary Guards, for attempting to recruit hitmen against U.S. officials including Trump.

Separately, Trump survived two unrelated assassination attempts during the 2024 election campaign. In July, a bullet struck his ear at a Pennsylvania rally, and two months later, another attempt was foiled at his Florida golf club.

Despite Trump's claim, any orders given during his lifetime cannot automatically trigger a military response after his death. In such a case, Vice President J.D. Vance would become president and commander-in-chief and would need to approve and determine the scope of any military action.