US President Donald Trump has said he has already left instructions for the United States to launch a massive military response against Iran if he is assassinated. His remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent military confrontations and allegations of an Iranian plot targeting him.

Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said he had directed that Iran should face an overwhelming response if any attempt on his life succeeds.

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“I’ve left instructions, if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before,” Trump said.

Trump dismisses report on Israeli intelligence

Trump also addressed a report by The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Israel had shared intelligence with the United States about an alleged Iranian assassination plot against him.

Rejecting the claim, Trump said Israel had not provided such information.

“No, no, Israel came up with nothing,” Trump said, adding that he has been Iran’s primary target “for a long time”.

“It’s the way life is, you know,” he added.

However, constitutional experts have questioned whether such instructions would have any legal standing. According to The New York Times, a US president cannot authorise military action after death because command authority immediately shifts to the sitting successor, who becomes the commander in chief.

Funeral slogans renew focus on tensions

Trump’s comments came shortly after the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was buried on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad following several days of nationwide mourning.

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During the ceremonies, large crowds chanted anti-American slogans and issued threats against Trump. Reports said some mourners shouted, “I swear by the blood of the Supreme Leader, Trump, we will kill you,” while others displayed placards carrying the message “Kill Trump”.

During the ceremonies, large crowds chanted anti-American slogans and issued threats against Trump | Image/X
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The crowds also repeated the slogan, “Death to America”, as funeral processions moved through Iranian cities. Images from the ceremonies showed banners portraying Trump with a target on his head.

Earlier warning and ongoing diplomacy

Trump has made similar remarks in the past. In January 2025, he warned that Iran would be “obliterated” if it was found responsible for his assassination.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, US officials have said that technical-level talks with Iran continue through diplomatic channels.

FAQs:

What did Donald Trump say about Iran if he is assassinated?

Trump said he has left instructions to “literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before”.

Why did Trump make these remarks now?

His comments came amid heightened US-Iran tensions and after reports of an alleged Iranian assassination plot.