Washington,Ā July 11:
US President Donald Trump has said he has issued standing instructions to launch a massive military strike on Iran if the country succeeds in assassinating him, escalating already tense rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
In remarks to the New York Post, Trump claimed he has long been a top target for Iran. āIāve been on their list for a long timeā¦ Iāve left instructions that if anything happens, to bomb them at levels theyāve never seen before,ā he said.
The comments come amid renewed concerns over alleged threats against Trump. However, he dismissed reports of any immediate new assassination plot, even as he reiterated that Iran has harboured intentions against him for years.
Trumpās security arrangements were reportedly tightened following the NATO summit in Ankara, with the White House later describing changes to his travel plans as precautionary measures.