Trump Warns of 1,000 Missiles Aimed at Iran Over Alleged Assassination Plot

Trump Issues Missile Threat Against Iran

US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that 1,000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands 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. [1] Trump stated he had ordered the armed forces to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran if an attack against him were carried out, and he noted that the instruction is valid for one year, subject to extension. [1] The president said orders have already been given and the US 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. [2] The figures and capabilities mentioned are the president's own assertions and were not detailed by the Pentagon. [1]

Israeli Intelligence on Alleged Assassination Plot

The message came after reports that Israel shared intelligence with Washington about an alleged new Iranian plan to kill Trump. [1] According to US media, American officials had not verified that plot nor were tracking it before the Israeli warning, and part of the intelligence community regards it as inconclusive. [1] Some officials also suggested the Israeli report could be part of an effort to influence Trump's decisions on intensifying the military campaign against Iran. [1] The Wall Street Journal and other US media reported this week that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington that Iran had recently devised a plan to assassinate Trump. [5] In an earlier interview, the president himself implied there was no recent plot, though he said Tehran has considered him a target for years. [1]

Renewed Hostilities End Ceasefire

Tensions worsened in recent days with fresh exchanges of strikes that ended the ceasefire reached last month. [1] The United States also stepped up demands on Friday that Iran stop attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, where recent hostilities have pushed oil prices higher. [5] Three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire this week, prompting the US to hit Iranian sites, and Iran to respond with strikes on US military sites in Gulf states. [5] Trump posted that the United States has stated to Iran, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER. [5] At least 17 people were killed in US strikes on six cities in Iran on Wednesday and Thursday, and 115 people were wounded. [5]

Iranian Response and Warnings

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Iran has kept its word with the United States after signing a protocol for a ceasefire agreement that the US president said was over. [2] Araghchi accused Washington of violating the ceasefire by re-imposing economic sanctions on Iran. [2] Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with Washington, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned on Friday that the war between Iran and the United States will never end with Iran’s surrender. [2] Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, rejected over Iranian state television that Iran has requested to resume negotiations with the United States. [4] Instead, Iran has accepted a meeting with a delegation from Qatar that has functioned as a mediator in the conflict. [4]

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

No attacks were reported on Friday as regional mediators sought to salvage diplomatic efforts to permanently end a war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. [2] Egypt and Qatar called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations. [2] In a telephone conversation, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdelrahman al-Thani urged all sides to choose the path of diplomacy and dialogue and resume negotiations. [2] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Oman to discuss arrangements for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. [5] Qatari negotiators were meeting officials in Iran on Friday to de-escalate tensions and discuss the Strait of Hormuz. [5] US officials indicated that diplomatic efforts to reach a nuclear deal before mid-August are continuing behind the scenes. [1]

Background of the Five-Month Conflict

The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. [2] Trump justified the war as an effort to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. [4] Iran has for years vowed to retaliate for the death of General Qasem Soleimani, ordered by Trump in 2020. [1] The climate grew more strained after the funeral of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed at the start of the war, during which slogans and banners calling for Trump's death were reported. [1] At the funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday, a huge crowd of mourners packed a courtyard, some bearing banners reading, “We Will Kill Trump.” [5] Last month’s interim deal was meant to pave the way to the end of a conflict now in its fifth month, which has killed thousands, throttled worldwide energy supplies and raised fears of a global economic downturn. [5]

What to watch next: US officials said conversations between the two countries had been productive in recent days, while Tehran said any breach of commitments by Washington would be met with reciprocal action, and Qatari negotiators continue meetings in Iran to address the Strait of Hormuz. [5]