Trump threatens Iran over alleged assassination plot as US pushes for Hormuz guarantees
US President Donald Trump warned on Friday that the United States would respond with overwhelming force if Iran attempted to assassinate him, claiming that "1,000 missiles are locked and loaded" and that additional strikes would follow if such a plot were carried out.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said orders had already been given and claimed the US military was prepared to "completely decimate and destroy" targets across Iran for up to one year, with the option to extend the operation.
His remarks came after reports that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington alleging Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate the US president.
Washington seeks Hormuz assurances
The escalating rhetoric came as the United States pressed Iran to publicly commit to ending attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee free, toll-free navigation through the strategic waterway.
According to media reports, a senior US official said Washington expected Tehran to declare that it would stop targeting vessels and ensure all shipping lanes remained open. Another US official warned that failure to provide such assurances would have consequences.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Oman on Saturday for talks focusing on bilateral relations, regional developments and the Strait of Hormuz.
Ceasefire under strain
Although Trump said earlier on Friday that the June ceasefire with Iran was "over," he also stated that Tehran had requested renewed negotiations and that Washington had agreed to continue talks.
The ceasefire followed a memorandum of understanding signed in June under Pakistani mediation after months of conflict. The agreement called for an immediate halt to hostilities, the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the agreement, tensions have flared this week, with both sides exchanging attacks linked to commercial traffic through the strait. The United States struck targets inside Iran, while Tehran responded by targeting US assets across the region.
Source:AA
