A retired senior Iranian military official has issued a direct threat against President Donald Trump, asserting that the Islamic Republic possesses the capability to assassinate him, even within the White House. Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, who previously served as a commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), made these provocative remarks during an interview with the Iranian news outlet Fararu.
"If the goal is to assassinate Trump, the Islamic Republic can easily do so in the White House. Whenever necessary, we are capable of doing that." — Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, retired senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
"If the goal is to assassinate Trump, the Islamic Republic can easily do so in the White House. Whenever necessary, we are capable of doing that," Moghaddam stated, outlining a chilling potential for future action. His comments arrive amidst a period of escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran, marked by increased military activity and diplomatic friction in the Persian Gulf region.
Moghaddam further elaborated on Iran's approach to ongoing discussions with the United States, clarifying that Tehran views these engagements not as a path to peace, but as a strategic maneuver to de-escalate immediate hostilities. "We are not negotiating with the Americans for peace. We are negotiating to reduce tensions," he explained. He underscored that Iran's primary objective in these talks is to "restore our rights and clarify the accusations made against us by the United States," rather than seeking a comprehensive peace agreement with President Trump and his administration. The retired commander also explicitly stated that options for "revenge and retaliation" against the United States "remain firmly on the table."
These threats from Iran's military establishment coincide with a notable increase in American military actions against Iranian targets. Recent US strikes have reportedly extended deeper into Iran's interior, moving beyond previously targeted coastal zones and signaling a more aggressive posture.
President Trump responded to the escalating situation by vowing a "forceful response" to what he described as Iranian leadership's rejection of a proposed peace agreement. Furthermore, President Trump announced a new US military commitment to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping lane that Iran had previously threatened to close entirely. "Now we’re going to guard it, and we’re going to get paid for guarding it," President Trump declared on Monday, signaling a shift in the US approach to maritime security in the region.
In response, Tehran has accused Washington of sabotaging separate negotiations with Oman aimed at ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari condemned the United States for what he termed "repeated provocations and destabilizing actions," arguing that American military conduct is heightening the risk of a broader regional conflict. Zolfaghari also issued a stern warning to other nations in the region, stating, "The leaders of the countries in the region are warned that any cooperation with the United States or logistical support for its military will be regarded as an act of war against Iran’s sovereignty and national security." This broad warning suggests that Iran could expand its scope of retaliation to include any nation perceived as assisting US military operations.
The geopolitical tensions have had an immediate and tangible impact on global financial markets. Oil prices experienced an upward tick over the weekend following Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, vessel traffic through the strategic waterway, which accounts for approximately 20 percent of the world's total oil shipments, noticeably decreased as the standoff intensified. Any significant disruption to this vital energy corridor carries profound consequences for global markets and economies.
As of this report, neither the White House nor the Department of Defense has issued an official public response to Moghaddam’s direct assassination threat against President Trump. The exchange of threats, coupled with military escalation and the precarious status of a critical global shipping route, has intensified concerns that the confrontation between the United States and Iran could spiral into a much larger and more destabilizing conflict in the Middle East.
