The US President has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that the country will "completely decimate and destroy all areas" if Tehran makes any move to target him.
According to reports, the President said "1,000 missiles are locked and loaded" with "thousands more to immediately follow" if the Islamic Republic acts on its "threat" to "assassinate or attempt to assassinate" him.
The warning comes after the funeral of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw open calls for the President's death, with mourners holding posters and banners calling for him to be killed, along with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US President made the comments on his Truth Social platform, writing: "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!"
The President went on to say that 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.
The warning is the latest development in the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, which have been heightened in recent days following a series of strikes against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US has demanded that Iran publicly state the Strait of Hormuz is open and that ships using the vital waterway will not be attacked, a key demand in previous negotiations.
However, Tehran's top diplomat at the United Nations has insisted that any activity in the Gulf channel "rests exclusively with Iran", casting doubt on securing a permanent end to the conflict.
The US has said it has agreed to continue talks with Iran following recent clashes, but stressed in "no uncertain terms" that the ceasefire is over.
The trading of strikes has again caused severe disruption to maritime traffic in the critical sea route, casting doubt on securing a permanent end to the conflict.
The US President has also suggested the US could reimpose its blockade of Iranian ports, having already pulled Tehran's licence to sell oil.
The US Treasury acted to crack down on a key financier to the Tehran regime, Dubai-based banker and businessman Ali Ansari, previously sanctioned by Britain for his role in financially supporting the activities of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Meditators are engaged in frantic diplomatic efforts to try and salvage the tattered peace process, while Israel has said it stands ready to confront Iran again if needed.
The country's defence minister Israel Katz said: "If we will have to return, we will return with even greater force."
