Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that he has pre-authorized a devastating military response should Tehran attempt to assassinate him.
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump declared that 1,000 missiles are “locked and loaded” and ready to strike the Islamic Republic, with thousands more to follow if necessary.
“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… to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” Trump wrote. He added that orders have already been given to the U.S. military, which he described as “ready, willing, and able” to “completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran” for a one-year period, subject to extension.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. They follow reports that Israel shared intelligence with U.S. officials regarding an alleged Iranian plot to target Trump. Trump has downplayed the immediacy of any new plot but emphasized that he has long been a primary target for Tehran, particularly since his administration’s 2020 strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.
In a separate interview with the New York Post, Trump reinforced his position, saying he has “left instructions” for overwhelming retaliation. “I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” he stated. “The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”
Trump’s comments have sparked debate over the legality and practicality of such standing orders. Constitutional experts note that presidential authority transfers immediately to the vice president upon a president’s death or incapacitation, meaning no “dead man’s switch” can bind a successor.
The escalation follows recent U.S.-Iran conflicts and public calls against Trump during mourning events in Iran. Trump has previously made similar statements about potential retaliation against Iran in the event of an assassination.
