Donald Trump outlines what will happen if assassinated by Iran
What would happen if Iran decided to assassinate the US president?
Donald Trump previously revealed there is a plan in place should Iran attempt to assassinate him.
On Saturday (28 February) the US and Israel launched a series of military strikes on Iran, with President Trump claiming the attack was in order to destroy the Middle Eastern nation's nuclear and missile capabilities.
The joint attack led to the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at his compound in Tehran. Iran has since launched several retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, leading to airport closures in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha – all major global transport hubs.
With the joint US-Israeli actions at risk of turning into a broader regional war, concerns have risen about Iran making an attempt of President Trump's life.
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So what would happen if this were to happen?
Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a clip began to circulate online showing the US leader responding to a question about what would happen if Iran or its proxy groups - Hamas and Hezbollah - were to make an attempt on his life.
"That would be a terrible thing for them to do," Trump said in a video dated to February 2025.
"Not because of me, if they did that they would be obliterated... that would be the end."
The 79-year-old went to state that he'd 'left instructions' if such an event were to happen and while he did not go into detail about what the instructions entailed he did warn there would be 'nothing left' of Iran in this scenario.
Watch the full exchange below:
Could Iran assassinate Donald Trump?
As it stands, Iran is not currently understood to have missiles which could reach the US at this moment. However this does not mean they could reach the White House by other ways.
In fact, Trump suggested during a phone call with ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl (via New York Post) that he had assassinated Khamenei before he was able to do the same to him.
"I got him before he got me," Trump said in a phone call which took place on Sunday.
He then went on to claim that two assassination attempts on his life had previously been foiled, before adding: "Well, I got him first."
What would happen if Donald Trump died in office?
A scenario in which Trump - or any sitting US President - were to pass away while in office is one which has been extensively prepared for in the White House.
The presidency would pass to Vice-President JD Vance, as has happened when eight previous presidents died in office.
If this scenario were to happen before August this year, JD Vance would become the youngest US president in history at the age of 41.
Once sworn in, the former Vice-President would be able to choose his own cabinet and a new VP, which would be approved by both houses in congress.
Why is the United States and Israel attacking Iran?
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (28 February) that the US and Israel have started 'major combat operations' in Iran after explosions were heard in multiple cities across the country.
Following a significant buildup of US forces in the region in recent weeks, Trump declared in a video posted on Truth Social that 'we are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground'.
Alongside hundreds of civilian casualties - including at least 153 people and children after a reported strike hit a school in Minab - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead following Israeli missile strikes around Tehran.
According to Trump, the aim of this weekend's attacks were to 'ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon'.
Meanwhile, in reference to Israel's retaliation strikes, the country's defence minister stated that the goal was to 'remove threats against the State of Israel'.
This has come after weeks of Trump threatening military action in Iran if the Middle Eastern country did not agree to a new deal over its nuclear programme. However, Iran has insisted repeatedly that its nuclear activities are 'entirely peaceful'.
What areas of the Middle East have been affected?
In retaliation to the US and Israeli strikes, Iran has launched strikes of its own on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, which include Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.
The BBC reports that at least nine people were killed in a strike on the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, while military and civilian targets - including an American naval base in Bahrain and Dubai's international airport in the United Arab Emirates - were also targeted across the weekend.
Several videos have been posted on social media from tourists and civilians that show the damage inflicted across these areas from missile and drone strikes, including many British citizens who are currently stranded in Dubai.
Is the UK going to war with Iran?
This is a question that has been asked repeatedly since the major combat operation began in Iran, due to the nation being an ally of both the United States and Israel.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that British planes were 'in the sky' in the Middle East as part of a defensive operation 'to protect our people, our interests and our allies', and condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks on 'partners across the region'.
While the UK did not participate in the strikes, Starmer released a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, calling for Iran to 'refrain from indiscriminate military strikes'.
"Iran can end this now," Starmer said. "They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programme and cease the appalling violence and oppression of the Iranian people – who deserve the right to determine their own future."
However, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Yvette Cooper, has said it is 'simply not true' that the UK is being dragged into another Iraq-style conflict in the Middle East.
While addressing a reported Iranian drone strike on a RAF base in Cyprus, she told Sky News on Monday, 2 March: "We took a very specific decision not to provide support for strikes that were taking place over this weekend. We have been clear that we believe there should be a diplomatic process, negotiations process."
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Iran, World News
Brenna Cooper