Trump suggests standing order to attack Iran if assassinated, but successor would make call
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- President Donald Trump has suggested he has standing orders for the U.S. military to destroy Iran if Tehran attempts to assassinate him.
- However, U.S. government protocols do not allow for an automatic retaliation trigger; any response would be determined by the successor, likely Vice President JD Vance.
- Iran's supreme leader stated that Iranians will continue to avenge the killing of his father, Mojtaba Khamenei, who died in late February strikes.
President Donald Trump has indicated he has issued standing orders for the U.S. military to launch devastating attacks on Iran if the country follows through on threats to assassinate him. However, U.S. government procedures do not permit an automatic "dead man's switch" for immediate retaliation.
The US has, for a whole variety of reasons, never utilized a technical โdead manโs switch.'
Instead, if Trump were to be killed, the transfer of power would fall to his successor, Vice President JD Vance. Vance would then have the authority to decide on any retaliation, potentially following Trump's orders or opting for a different response.
Garrett M. Graff, author of "Raven Rock: The Story of the US Governmentโs Secret Plan to Save Itself -- While the Rest of Us Die," noted that the U.S. has never used such a technical "dead man's switch." While contingency plans exist for continuity of government during major catastrophes, they do not authorize immediate retaliatory strikes upon a president's death.
1,000 missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat.
Trump posted on social media that Iran had threatened his life and that "1,000 missiles are Locked and Loaded." In response, Iran's supreme leader stated that Iranians would continue to avenge the killing of Mojtaba Khamenei, who died in late February strikes. Mourners at recent funeral events in Iran have displayed posters calling for Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be killed.
This revenge is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out.
Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.