Trump threatens to 'destroy' Iran over alleged threats

President Donald Trump has threatened to "totally destroy" Iran in retaliation for Tehran's alleged threats against him. The U.S. president issued the warning on his Truth Social platform after senior U.S. officials urged Tehran to publicly announce a halt to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee passage through the waterway.

Trump claimed the U.S. had a large military force ready in response to any threats against him. "1,000 missiles are locked and loaded ready to go on target into Iran, with thousands more to follow immediately if Iran acts like anything at all," Trump stated. He alleged these threats stemmed from an attempt or plan to assassinate him, possibly referencing Iranian demonstrations calling for the deaths of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

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1,000 missiles are locked and loaded ready to go on target into Iran, with thousands more to follow immediately if Iran acts like anything at all

"The United States military will totally destroy and obliterate Iran. All of it. From the port of entry by saying the word ‘crush’ to add to the great Iranian definition of whatever that word means," Trump said in the same statement. Throughout the conflict and periods of uncertain ceasefire, Trump has repeatedly mocked the name of Allah and threatened to destroy Iranian civilization.

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The United States military will totally destroy and obliterate Iran. All of it. From the port of entry by saying the word ‘crush’ to add to the great Iranian definition of whatever that word means

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded, asserting that Tehran had so far kept its promises, unlike the U.S. Treasury Secretary who he claimed violated a memorandum of understanding. This referred to a clause in the MoU stating Iran would "maintain the status quo on its nuclear program," while the U.S. would not impose new sanctions or deploy additional forces to the region pending a final agreement. "This violation follows other violations and missteps by America. The reality to be acknowledged: Only mutual compliance can occur," Araghchi stated.

The latest tensions arose after a week of exchanges that jeopardized a fragile agreement aimed at transforming months of ceasefire into lasting peace, raising concerns of a regional conflict. U.S. and Iranian delegations held a round of direct negotiations in Switzerland since the MoU was signed, as well as indirect talks in Qatar, but no diplomatic progress has been achieved so far.

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This violation follows other violations and missteps by America. The reality to be acknowledged: Only mutual compliance can occur