Trump Vows to ‘Obliterate’ Iran if They Make an Attempt on His Life – Guy D. McCardle
It’s probably best not to mess with Donald Trump.
In a recent and unequivocal declaration, President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran: any attempt on his life will result in the nation’s total obliteration. This pronouncement underscores the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, rooted in a history of confrontations and mutual distrust.
A Direct Message to Tehran
On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran, stating that he had left explicit instructions for the country to be “obliterated” if it attempted to assassinate him. “If they did that, they would be obliterated. I’ve left instructions—if they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left,” Trump said. His remarks came while he was signing an executive order aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran as part of his administration’s ongoing “maximum pressure” policy against Iran.
Trump’s warning stems from continued concerns over Iranian threats against him and other former members of his administration. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have remained high since 2020, when a U.S. drone strike ordered by Trump killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. In November 2024, the U.S. Justice Department revealed an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump before the presidential election. Additionally, in July 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign event in Pennsylvania, though officials did not directly link that attack to Iran.
Despite his aggressive rhetoric, Trump also signaled an openness to diplomacy. He expressed a preference for a peaceful resolution, stating, “I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately, and have a big Middle East Celebration when it is signed and completed.” His comments suggest a willingness to negotiate, even as he continues to take a hard-line stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence.
Historical Context: The Soleimani Factor
On January 3, 2020, a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport killed Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general and commander of the Quds Force. The attack, ordered by then-President Donald Trump, also took the life of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, along with several other Iran-backed militia figures. This strike marked a major escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
It’s probably best not to mess with Donald Trump.
In a recent and unequivocal declaration, President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran: any attempt on his life will result in the nation’s total obliteration. This pronouncement underscores the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, rooted in a history of confrontations and mutual distrust.
A Direct Message to Tehran
On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran, stating that he had left explicit instructions for the country to be “obliterated” if it attempted to assassinate him. “If they did that, they would be obliterated. I’ve left instructions—if they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left,” Trump said. His remarks came while he was signing an executive order aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran as part of his administration’s ongoing “maximum pressure” policy against Iran.
Trump’s warning stems from continued concerns over Iranian threats against him and other former members of his administration. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have remained high since 2020, when a U.S. drone strike ordered by Trump killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. In November 2024, the U.S. Justice Department revealed an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump before the presidential election. Additionally, in July 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign event in Pennsylvania, though officials did not directly link that attack to Iran.
Despite his aggressive rhetoric, Trump also signaled an openness to diplomacy. He expressed a preference for a peaceful resolution, stating, “I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately, and have a big Middle East Celebration when it is signed and completed.” His comments suggest a willingness to negotiate, even as he continues to take a hard-line stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence.
Historical Context: The Soleimani Factor
On January 3, 2020, a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport killed Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general and commander of the Quds Force. The attack, ordered by then-President Donald Trump, also took the life of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, along with several other Iran-backed militia figures. This strike marked a major escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared three days of national mourning and vowed “severe revenge” against the U.S. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also promised that Iran would take revenge, while Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the attack “an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.”
Iran retaliated on January 8, 2020, by launching ballistic missile attacks on two Iraqi air bases that housed U.S. troops—Al Asad Airbase and another base near Erbil. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that these strikes were part of their retaliation for Soleimani’s killing. While initial reports indicated no casualties, it was later confirmed that dozens of U.S. servicemen suffered injuries from the missile strikes.
The killing of Soleimani and the subsequent retaliation significantly increased tensions in the region. Iran continues to commemorate Soleimani’s death, and on January 3, 2024, during an event marking the fourth anniversary of his assassination, two bombings in Kerman, Iran, killed at least 84 people and wounded 284 others. The attack was later claimed by the Islamic State group, highlighting the ongoing instability and the long-term consequences of Soleimani’s assassination.
Revealing the Assassination Plots
In November 2024, the U.S. Justice Department revealed multiple Iranian plots to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other high-ranking U.S. officials. These revelations surfaced just before the 2024 presidential election and have continued to shape tensions between the U.S. and Iran into 2025.
According to the DOJ, three individuals were charged in connection with an Iranian plan to kill Trump before the election. The key suspect, 51-year-old Afghan national Farhad Shakeri, was reportedly living in Iran and acting under direct orders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Shakeri was allegedly instructed in September 2024 to focus solely on surveilling and planning an attack on Trump, with IRGC officials assuring him that “money’s not an issue.”
Merchant is a Pakistani national with ties to Iran. He came to the US in April 2024 and sought to hire hitmen to kill President Trump and others involved in the death of Soleimani. He reportedly paid an FBI agent believed to be a hitman $5,000 as part of his plot. Highlights made by the author.
The plot against Trump was part of a larger pattern of Iranian attempts to target U.S. officials and critics of the Tehran regime. In addition to the Trump plot, Shakeri allegedly recruited two other individuals to carry out an attack on Masih Alinejad, a well-known Iranian-American journalist critical of the Iranian government. The Justice Department had also previously charged a Pakistani national linked to Iran in a murder-for-hire conspiracy targeting U.S. officials.
These revelations have had a major impact on U.S.-Iran relations. Iran has denied any allegations of wrongdoing, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian telling NBC News that Iran has “never” plotted to assassinate Trump or anyone else. Tehran also dismissed Trump’s recent warning as “provocative.” Despite these denials, tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, fueled by numerous longstanding hostilities.
Strategic Implications of the “Obliteration” Directive
President Trump’s directive to “obliterate” Iran in the event of his assassination is a significant escalation in U.S. deterrence strategy. This approach aims to dissuade Tehran from considering such actions by highlighting the catastrophic consequences. However, this strategy carries substantial risks, including the potential for widespread conflict in the Middle East and global economic disruptions.
Iran’s Perspective and Potential Responses
Iran has repeatedly denied any involvement in assassination plots against former President Donald Trump and has dismissed his recent threats as baseless. Iranian officials argue that these allegations are part of a broader effort to escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, called the accusations a “fabrication by Israel-linked circles” designed to complicate U.S.-Iran relations. President Masoud Pezeshkian also denied the claims, stating in an interview that Iran has “never” plotted to assassinate Trump or anyone else. Additionally, Tehran has described Trump’s warning of “obliteration” as “provocative” and an attempt to stir further conflict.
Despite these denials, Iran has not provided evidence to counter U.S. intelligence reports linking it to the threats. The Iranian government insists that these accusations are politically motivated rather than based on actual plans or intentions.
The Broader Geopolitical Landscape
This development must be viewed within the larger context of U.S.-Iran relations, which have been fraught with tension since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and the subsequent reimposition of sanctions have further strained relations. Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its role in regional conflicts remain central issues in this adversarial relationship.
Conclusion: Navigating a Precarious Path Forward
President Trump’s explicit warning to Iran represents a high-stakes gamble in international diplomacy. While intended to deter aggression, it also risks provoking the very actions it seeks to prevent. As both nations navigate this precarious path, the global community watches closely, aware that miscalculations could lead to widespread instability.
In the world of international relations, words carry weight, and threats can have far-reaching consequences. It remains to be seen how Iran will interpret and respond to President Trump’s ultimatum, and whether this approach will achieve the desired deterrence or escalate tensions further.
As always, the men and women of our armed forces stand ready, vigilant in the face of uncertainty, upholding their duty to protect the nation against all threats, foreign and domestic.
