Former President Donald Trump has revealed that he has issued specific instructions for severe military retaliation against Iran in the event of his assassination. Trump told the New York Post that he has "left instructions… if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they've never seen before."
Trump emphasized that Iran's intent to harm him is not a new development, stating, "I've been on their list for a long time." He dismissed recent intelligence reports suggesting a newly surfaced plot, asserting that Tehran's lethal intentions have been ongoing since his first term, particularly following the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
The threat level surrounding Trump has reportedly intensified, with several alleged assassination plots being disrupted. These incidents include a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, where a sniper's bullet grazed his ear, and a more recent event at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
Concerns over security led Trump to temporarily use an older Boeing 747-200 Air Force One for a portion of his return trip from a NATO summit in Turkey. This decision followed heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. In Tehran, signs in both English and Farsi bearing the message "Kill Trump" have been displayed, which the Daily Mail describes as a reminder of the regime's "ongoing anger and isolation on the world stage."
The Trump administration has escalated military actions against Iran in response to recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Administration officials suggest the duration and intensity of this renewed bombing campaign are contingent on Iran's actions in the coming days. The White House has indicated a readiness to sustain retaliatory strikes for weeks if Iran does not cease its aggression.
Sources close to the White House indicated that Trump wants the situation resolved but will not tolerate Iranian actions against shipping vessels. According to the New York Post, some advisers have informally referred to the military offensive as "Operation B**** Slap" in internal communications. However, administration officials have stressed that this is not an official military designation.
A former White House official noted that as tensions rise, Trump's decision-making regarding the conflict has become increasingly personal.