Former President Donald Trump warned Iran on Tuesday that he has left instructions for devastating military strikes if the country attempts to assassinate him.
Trump’s warning emerged after U.S. officials assessed multiple credible assassination threats from Iranian operatives targeting the former president. The statement delivered a direct deterrent message without going through diplomatic channels or formal policy statements.
What Trump Said
“I’ve left instructions – if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before,” Trump said in his warning to Iranian leadership. The former president conveyed specific consequences directly rather than through traditional diplomatic intermediaries.
Experts on deterrence strategies note that explicit clarity about potential military responses can influence an adversary’s risk calculations regarding dangerous actions. Trump’s unambiguous language aimed to shape Iran’s decision-making about any potential threats.
Background on Threats
Iran has previously announced bounties for Trump’s death and has been linked to multiple alleged assassination plots against him. These threats intensified following the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
Intelligence assessments have indicated that Iranian operatives have attempted to enter the United States to carry out attacks. Security measures at recent events involving Trump have been adjusted, including changes to aircraft assignments, reflecting heightened threat concerns.
Questions of Authority
If an attack on Trump were to occur, Vice President JD Vance would assume the presidency and hold command authority over any military response. Vance has maintained a consistent hardline position toward Iran throughout regional conflicts.
Pre-written instructions carry legal and political significance, but ultimate command decisions rest with the sitting commander-in-chief under the Constitution. Any military response would ultimately fall under the authority of whoever holds the presidency at that moment.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.
