Trump: US would wipe Iran off face of Earth if it acts on threats

President Donald Trump said he had issued “very firm instructions” for the United States to “wipe them off the face of this Earth” if Iran attempts to carry out assassination threats against him.

Speaking in an interview with NewsNation’s “Katie Pavlich Tonight” to mark the anniversary of his second-term inauguration, Trump said Washington would retaliate against Iran as a whole if any such attempt were made.

“Anything ever happens, the whole country is going to get blown up,” Trump told host Katie Pavlich. “I would absolutely hit them so hard. But I have very firm instructions.”

Trump also said the Insurrection Act was not yet necessary in response to protests linked to ICE operations in Minnesota.

He criticised former President Joe Biden for not responding more forcefully to Iranian threats during his presidency.

“A president has to defend a president,” Trump said, adding that he would respond decisively even if threats were directed at “somebody, not even a president”.

Iran has denied involvement in assassination plots against US officials. The White House did not immediately comment.

By Aghakazim Guliyev