'Missiles locked and loaded': Trump warns Iran of 'complete decimation' if he is assassinated

WASHINGTON, DC: Amid reports - and President Donald Trump's own confirmation - that Iran intends to assassinate him, Trump has issued a stark warning to the Islamic Republic on Saturday, July 11: Iran will be completely decimated if it tries to kill the president.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he is on Iran’s kill list. "I'm no 1 on the kill list for Iran," he said. "I like being number one on TikTok better."

Trump threatens year-long military campaign against Iran

Trump, in a late-night threat to Iran, said that “1000 Missiles” are ready to go if he’s killed, which will be followed by thousands more, and that he’s already given the order to strike “all areas of Iran” for “a one year period of time.”

“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 pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“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,” he continued.

“Praise be to Allah,” Trump added.

Trump’s threat came a day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli intelligence recently shared new information with US officials showing that Tehran was considering a plan to kill the president.

Trump says he left secret orders if assassinated

Trump said he has already left confidential instructions directing the US military to launch an overwhelming attack on Iran if Tehran ever succeeds in assassinating him, offering an unusual glimpse into the contingency planning surrounding threats against a sitting commander in chief. 

Trump made the remarks as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated following recent military exchanges and years of Iranian vows to avenge the 2020 killing of Gen Qasem Soleimani.

According to Trump’s interview in the New York Post published on Friday, Iran has considered him its primary target ever since he authorized the drone strike that killed Soleimani during his first term.

Notably, Trump dismissed the reports suggesting that Israeli intelligence uncovered Iran’s intentions, saying that the threat has been there for years.

"I've left instructions - if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they've never seen before," he said.