Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran with 1,000 missiles after intelligence warns of assassination plot

Trump's threat of overwhelming force

Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that 1,000 missiles are aimed at Iran and ready to launch, with thousands more to follow, should Tehran attempt to assassinate him. "The orders have already been given and the US military is ready, willing and able, for a period of one year, subject to extension, to decimate and completely destroy all regions of Iran," he wrote. He added that the strikes would hit "with a power never seen before" and concluded the message with the Arabic phrase "Glory be to Allah," a pattern repeated throughout the conflict.

1,000 missiles are ready to fire and pointed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to follow immediately, should the Iranian government carry out its threat, proclaimed in many corners of the world, to assassinate or attempt to assassinate the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!

Intelligence from Israel

According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal and CNN, Israeli intelligence shared information with Washington this week describing a "new" and "concrete" plot by Tehran to kill Trump. The US had been receiving ongoing intelligence about possible assassination plans, but the warning from Israel was described as specific and recent. Trump, however, denied learning of any plot from Israel. Speaking to the New York Post, he said he is "number one" on Iran's target list and has been for a long time, adding that he left "instructions" for a massive retaliatory strike if he is killed.

No, no. Israel didn't find anything. I'm number one on the list.

Khamenei's funeral and vows of revenge

The threats come in the wake of funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US airstrike on 28 February at age 86. His body was displayed in cities across Iran and Iraq during days-long ceremonies. During the funeral, participants held posters and banners calling for the death of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a statement read on state television that revenge "is the will of our nation and must inevitably be realized" and that the matter "does not depend on my personal existence or that of other officials."

This does not depend on my personal existence or that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will happen.

Strait of Hormuz standoff

The exchange of threats plays out against a backdrop of renewed military confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz. US officials demanded Iran issue a public statement confirming the strait is open and that vessels would not be attacked. Tehran refused, insisting the waterway remains under its control and that it be allowed to charge fees to ships passing through, contradicting decades of precedent treating the strait as an international waterway. Iranian retaliatory strikes hit US bases in the Gulf and three ships in the strait earlier in the week, triggering further US airstrikes.

Diplomacy and ceasefire collapse

Despite the escalating rhetoric, diplomatic channels remain partially open. Trump acknowledged Iran requested continued talks, and the US agreed, though he declared the ceasefire "terminated." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Oman on Saturday, 11 July, for new discussions, one day after Qatari mediators visited Iran. The US demands center on freedom of navigation, while Iran's ambassador to the UN told journalists that any activity in the Strait of Hormuz, including opening or demining operations, "is the exclusive responsibility of Iran."