Former U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he may be killed because Iran considers him its number one target for assassination [1].
The statement highlights the volatile security relationship between the former president and the Iranian government, suggesting a persistent threat that extends beyond his time in office.
Trump spoke with reporters during a press briefing before answering questions about security concerns while flying home aboard a newly-gifted Air Force One plane [1]. During the exchange, he addressed the risk of targeted violence from Tehran [1, 2].
"I may be gone too, because I’m their number one target," Trump said [3].
The former president said that he remains at the top of the Iranian kill list [1, 2]. He did not provide specific intelligence or evidence during the briefing to support the claim, but emphasized his perceived status as a primary objective for Iranian operatives [1, 3].
"I’m their number one target," Trump said [4].
This interaction occurred as Trump traveled via the presidential aircraft, a setting that typically provides the highest level of security available to a U.S. citizen [1]. Despite these protections, Trump focused on the potential for an assassination attempt by the foreign government [1, 2].
“"I may be gone too, because I’m their number one target."”
These comments underscore the enduring tension between Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership, stemming largely from his administration's 'maximum pressure' campaign and the 2020 killing of General Qasem Soleimani. By publicly stating he is a primary target, Trump frames his security situation as a matter of national and international concern, while simultaneously highlighting the perceived hostility of the Tehran regime.
