Iran’s Press Targets Trump, Issues Explicit Death Threats

Map highlighting Iran with Tehran marked.

Iranian state-backed newspaper Kayhan has issued explicit death threats against President Donald Trump, while Iran’s military forces have been placed on high alert amid escalating tensions between the two nations.

Quick Takes

  • Iran’s Kayhan newspaper, considered the voice of Supreme Leader Khamenei, published an article threatening to assassinate President Trump.
  • The threats follow Trump’s declaration that Iran faces bombing if it refuses to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
  • Iran has placed its military on “full alert” and is reportedly accelerating nuclear weapons development.
  • Trump has instructed his team to “obliterate” Iran if he is assassinated.
  • US authorities are monitoring Iranian threats while B-2 bombers have been stationed within striking distance of Iran.

Direct Threats Against Trump

The hardline Iranian newspaper Kayhan, widely considered the mouthpiece of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has published explicit assassination threats against President Donald Trump. The newspaper declared that “a few bullets are going to be fired into that empty skull of his and he’ll be drinking from the chalice of a cursed death.” These threats represent a significant escalation in rhetoric from Tehran’s state-affiliated media and appear directly connected to Iran’s continued desire for revenge following the 2020 killing of Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike authorized by Trump.

Expert Jason Brodsky has noted that “Kayhan’s editor Hossein Shariatmadari is a personal representative of Iran’s supreme leader,” underscoring the significance of these threats coming from a publication with direct ties to Iran’s highest authority. Federal authorities have reportedly been monitoring Iranian threats against Trump and other US officials, with particular concern given that an Iranian agent was previously charged with plotting to assassinate the president.

Military Preparations on Both Sides

In a significant military development, Iran has placed its armed forces on “full alert” following Trump’s threats of bombing should Iran refuse to negotiate a new nuclear agreement. According to multiple reports, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a withdrawal of certain forces from Yemen to prepare for potential conflict with the United States. Iran is reportedly setting up missiles in underground facilities and making other defensive preparations for a possible US strike.

The United States has responded to the increased tensions by positioning B-2 stealth bombers on Diego Garcia, within striking distance of Iran. Trump has made his position clear, stating, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. But there’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago.” More ominously, Trump has reportedly left instructions with his team regarding retaliation if he is targeted, saying, “I’ve left instructions if they do it, they get obliterated, there won’t be anything left.”

Nuclear Concerns and Diplomatic Standoff

Adding to the tensions is intelligence suggesting Iran is accelerating its nuclear weapons development, with reports indicating warheads capable of reaching over 1,800 miles are being developed at sites in Shahrud, Semnan, and Sorkheh Hesar. These developments are reportedly influenced by North Korean technology, raising additional international concerns about proliferation and regional stability. The timeline for Iran’s nuclear capability has become a central factor in the current standoff between Tehran and Washington.

Diplomatically, Iran has rejected direct negotiations with the US over its nuclear program but remains open to indirect talks through Oman. Iranian officials insist that the US must lift Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy before considering direct talks. Meanwhile, Khamenei has issued stern warnings to Persian Gulf countries against supporting any US military action, stating such support would be considered an act of hostility with “severe consequences.”

Russia has condemned US military threats against Iran, calling them “unacceptable” and urging restraint. However, reports suggest Iranian officials remain skeptical about Moscow’s commitment to their defense, which may ultimately depend on the relationship between Trump and Putin. The situation remains highly volatile, with fears of a broader conflict increasing as both sides continue their preparations and hardline rhetoric.

Sources:

  1. State-controlled Iranian newspaper calls for firing bullets into Trump’s ‘empty skull’
  2. Threat to KILL Trump appears in official Iran paper & Ayatollah places military on ‘full alert’ amid fears of US strike
  3. Iran Puts Army on High Alert Over US Threats: Report

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