US President Donald Trump flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday after claiming he is Iran's primary assassination target. Trump made the statement to reporters shortly before departing the country on an altered flight plan, using the older Air Force One instead of the new aircraft donated by Qatar.
Trump had initially said he would board the new plane and visit several bases so troops could see it, calling it 'truly magnificent.' However, he switched planes at an RAF base and flew directly home. When asked directly about the change being due to threats to his life, Trump avoided a direct answer but acknowledged he was a potential target.
Trump's Remarks on Assassination Threat
'They had leaders, they're gone. Then they had another set of leaders, they're gone ... and you know what? I may be gone too, because I'm their number one target,' Trump told reporters. 'I'm their number one because they're scum.'
'I don't know, I can't tell you that. I don't really care because I'm doing my job and I'm doing it, I hope, better than anybody's ever done it,' he added.
Numerous signs calling for the death of the US president were spotted during the funeral procession for Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which drew millions of people.
Ceasefire Collapse and Strikes on Iran
Trump's comments came hours after he announced the ceasefire with Iran was 'over' and launched strikes on Iran. Footage posted by Trump on Truth Social appeared to show explosions across Iran, with confirmed images of fire and smoke engulfing a port in the country's south. In response, Iranian officials warned the US to prepare for a 'hard slap' before explosions rang out in Bahrain, as reported by Iranian state media.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Trump's remarks 'are not a sign of power but an admission of the failure' of US policy toward Iran.
Threats to Seize Kharg Island
Trump also renewed threats to seize Kharg Island, having last month questioned whether the US 'has the stomach for it.' Some 90 per cent of Iranian oil exports pass through the island. The new attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, despite negotiations, could reflect a divide among Iran's leadership. Hard-liners seek lasting control over the waterway, a globally important conduit for fuel shipments and a critical lever in confronting the West, while pragmatists want a permanent peace deal to lift international sanctions and provide economic relief.
Negotiations for a final deal had been due to start after the dayslong funeral for Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in the war's first moments. The funeral, ending Thursday, was meant to be a period of lower tensions. The talks are intended to focus on the toughest matters, including fully reopening the strait and rolling back Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
