US President Donald Trump says he has left instructions for Iran to be bombed “at levels that they’ve never seen before” if he is assassinated, amid renewed concerns over threats against his life following the latest escalation in the Middle East.
Speaking to the New York Post, Mr Trump dismissed reports that Israel had recently warned him of a new Iranian assassination plot, insisting Tehran had considered him a target for years.
“I’ve been on their list for a long time,” Mr Trump said.
“The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”
Mr Trump rejected suggestions the latest concerns stemmed from fresh Israeli intelligence.
“No, no. Israel came up with nothing,” he said.
“I’ve been No. 1 for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know.
“I hope you’ll miss me.”
While a sitting president can issue military orders, any directive made for after a president’s death would not automatically bind a successor.
If Mr Trump were no longer in office, decisions over any military response would rest with the next president. Under the current line of succession, that would be Vice President JD Vance, who has reportedly expressed reservations privately about escalating conflict with Iran.
Security concerns surrounding Mr Trump resurfaced this week after he switched aircraft during his return journey from Turkey following the NATO summit in Ankara.
Mr Trump travelled to Turkey aboard the new Air Force One gifted by Qatar, before transferring to an older presidential aircraft at a Royal Air Force base en route to the United Kingdom. According to The New York Times, the change was requested by the US Secret Service.
“I’m number 1 on the kill list for Iran,” Mr Trump replied.
“I’m on every single one of their lists, and so far I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long, because that’s the way it goes.”
The aircraft swap came after reports that Mr Trump’s new presidential jet had not yet been fitted with the same missile detection and countermeasure systems installed on the previous Air Force One fleet.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran had approached the United States about resuming negotiations despite the latest exchange of hostilities.
“We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Mr Trump wrote.
The president has repeatedly claimed Iran is seeking talks since fighting intensified earlier this year, although Tehran has not publicly confirmed those assertions.
At the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week, mourners were seen carrying placards calling for Mr Trump’s death.
Some simply read: “Kill Trump”.
Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in 2024, where a bullet grazed his ear. Four serving US presidents have been assassinated while in office, making the presidency one of the world’s highest-risk political positions.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails