President Donald Trump revealed Friday that he has issued standing orders for a severe U.S. military response against Iran should the Islamic Republic successfully assassinate him. Speaking to the New York Post, President Trump detailed contingency plans for a retaliatory strike "at levels that they've never seen before" in the event of his death, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to heighten following recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle East.
"I’ve left instructions… if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before." — President Donald Trump, Speaking to the New York Post
The President's comments underscore a long-standing and volatile relationship with Iran, which has viewed him as a primary target for years. Threats from Iranian officials against President Trump date back to January 2020, when a U.S. drone strike during his first administration killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Since then, Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed revenge for Soleimani's death, consistently naming President Trump as a key target. "I’ve been on their list for a long time," President Trump told the New York Post. "The only thing is, I’ve left instructions… if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before."
This declaration comes amidst heightened security concerns surrounding President Trump. Multiple assassination attempts and alleged plots targeting him have been reported since July 13, 2024, including an incident at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman grazed his ear before being neutralized by Secret Service snipers. Authorities have also reportedly disrupted additional threats in the subsequent months. President Trump recently acknowledged these ongoing security risks during the NATO summit in Turkey, remarking that he might have reconsidered seeking another term had he fully anticipated the number of threats he would encounter.
Recent reports, including one from CNN, indicated that Israel had shared intelligence with the United States suggesting Iran had devised a new assassination plot specifically targeting President Trump. However, President Trump dismissed these specific reports, stating that the threat is not new. "No, no. Israel came up with nothing," President Trump asserted. "I’ve been number one for a long time, and it’s the way life is." This suggests President Trump views the threat as a persistent, long-term challenge rather than a recent development requiring new intelligence.
Simultaneously, the administration has expanded its military operations against Iran. These actions follow a series of recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy shipments. According to reports, senior administration officials have indicated that the duration of these military campaigns will be directly contingent on Iran's future behavior. Officials reportedly stated that the United States is prepared to sustain strikes for weeks if Tehran continues its aggression against international shipping. President Trump has consistently reiterated that attacks on international shipping will not go unanswered, a stance also reported by the Daily Mail.
The New York Post also reported an unofficial internal nickname, "Operation B**** Slap," used by some of President Trump's advisers in emails and conversations regarding the military campaign. White House and Pentagon officials, however, have emphasized that this phrase is not an official designation for any U.S. military operation and is merely an informal term used by some personnel. A source familiar with White House deliberations indicated that President Trump would prefer an end to the conflict but believes military action is essential if Iran continues to target commercial vessels. Another former White House official suggested that President Trump's approach to the conflict has become increasingly personal as tensions with Iran have escalated.
The President's stark warning regarding retaliation for an assassination attempt underscores the severe nature of the U.S.-Iran relationship and the potential for a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. The administration's dual strategy of direct military action in response to shipping attacks and a declared contingency for a presidential assassination highlights the multifaceted and high-stakes nature of its policy towards Tehran.
