Trump claims Iran has made him 'number one' assassination target
President Donald Trump has asserted that Iran is actively targeting him for assassination, describing himself as the country's primary target. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump highlighted US military successes against Iranian forces but acknowledged the personal risk involved.
Trump told reporters that while the US has eliminated successive tiers of Iranian leadership, he remains vulnerable. 'They had leaders, they're gone, and they had another set of leaders, they're gone. Now they have another set of leaders; they may be gone. Who knows? And you know what, I may be gone too, because I'm their number one target,' he said.
The President described Iranian actions as 'scum' and defended his policies as being in the national and global interest. 'I'm doing what's right for the country; I'm doing what's right for the world,' he added.
Security concerns and travel arrangements
When questioned about speculation that he would depart Turkey on the original Air Force One rather than a new Qatari-gifted jet due to Iranian threats, Trump deflected, noting that 'the life of a president is very dangerous.' He claimed a mortality rate of 5.2 percent for the office, comparing it unfavorably to race car drivers and bull riders, which he said carry a risk of one tenth of one percent.
Trump joked that he would have reconsidered running for office if he had known the risks earlier. However, he stated he does not 'really care' about threats 'because I'm doing my job.' In a lighter moment, he quipped, 'I like being number one on TikTok better, but I'm number one on the list for killing.'
Outlook on conflict with Iran
The President expressed confidence that war with Iran would not reignite, predicting the current escalation would end 'quickly.' He described recent US strikes as a response to Iranian attacks on shipping. 'They hit a couple of ships, and so we hit them much harder,' Trump said. 'Anything that happens is going to be over very quickly and will only make it safer, including for oil.'
His comments came as the US military announced additional strikes against Iran on Wednesday US time. US Central Command stated these operations aim to 'further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,' holding Iran accountable for 'recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews.'
The latest strikes follow a wave of US attacks on Tuesday that hit over 80 targets, in response to Iranian actions against vessels in the vital waterway.