New Delhi (India) July 11: Iran was threatened by US President Donald Trump, after chants of killing him were openly chanted at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral, amplifying the tensions in the Mideast, as a transitional pact to end the war is becoming increasingly vulnerable from crossfire in the region.
Trump Issues Stark Warning To Iran
Trump conveyed these remarks on his Truth Social account following urgent demands by senior US authorities for Iran to formally declare that the Strait of Hormuz is open and ships traveling through the crucial passage would not be harmed.
Trump wrote, "1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!"
"Orders have already been given, and the US military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran - praise be to Allah!" he added.
The dialogue highlights the newest strain in US-Iran relations, with each party accusing the other of breaching agreements signed in June and prompting fears of more confrontations.
Khamenei Funeral Deepens Regional Tensions
Iran paid its tribute to its slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his native land, Mashhad on Friday, over four months after his passing away due to US-Israeli attacks which had initiated the Middle Eastern conflict.
The farewell ceremony, beginning on July 3rd in Tehran, took place amidst heightened hostility between the US and Iran after the US struck at Iranian targets following what claimed to be an attack by Tehran on three civilian tankers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a significant advancement since both nations signed a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland, intended to bring about an end to the war. Tehran has effectively sealed the strategic waterway of Hormuz since March as a retort against the US-Israeli bombings that launched the war in the region.
Trump Rejects Assassination Intelligence Claims
Trump's comments echoed ones made during an interview with the New York Post, wherein he said that he has set in place an order for an unimaginable military retaliation if his life was to be taken. Trump further denied receiving any new intelligence about an impending assassination attempt and debunked claims that Israel has found out new information regarding an Iranian plot to kill him.
This week, he also named himself as the primary target for Iran and emphasized the importance of never allowing the nation to acquire nuclear capabilities, noting that he did not believe any ensuing confrontation with Iran would result in a prolonged battle.
Pakistan Urges Both Nations To Honour Pact
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has called upon Iran and the United States to honour the pact they both established last month, while the two countries are in a heightened state of tension. He voiced his deep concern over the recent events and underlined the need to immediately reinstate peace and security in the region by addressing Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the phone, and stressing that the two parties must adhere to the agreed provisions of the memorandum, as per officials of Pakistan.
Having played an active part in mediation efforts between Iran and the US, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic activity amid fears that the current military movements and the security of shipping lanes could spark a larger war.