Former President Donald Trump issued a severe threat against Iran on Saturday, stating that the U.S. military has "1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded" and is prepared to act should the Iranian government follow through on its perceived threats. The warning comes in the wake of the funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where public calls for Trump's killing were reportedly made.
Trump made the remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social. Senior U.S. officials had previously demanded that Iran issue a public statement affirming the openness of the Strait of Hormuz and pledging that ships transiting the vital waterway would not be attacked. As of Saturday, Tehran had not issued such a statement, continuing to assert control over the strait and insisting on charging ships, challenging the long-standing international norm of the waterway being a global passage.
This escalation in rhetoric follows days of U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran and retaliatory fire from Iran aimed at various Middle Eastern nations. These actions were reportedly ignited by Iran's attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week.
Trump's full statement read, "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." He further added that the U.S. military would "completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran - PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!"
The funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Mashhad, Iran. During the proceedings, calls for retribution against Trump were reportedly audible. The ongoing tensions underscore the fragile state of the region and the potential for further conflict.
Mashhad, Iran - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a pivotal figure in the country's political and religious landscape, was laid to rest on Thursday, July 9, 2026. His funeral procession, held at the Imam Reza Shrine, saw large crowds and emotional tributes. The event was attended by various political and religious figures, with reports indicating that open calls for retaliation against U.S. leadership, specifically former President Donald Trump, were made during the funeral services. This has significantly heightened existing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.