According to SCMP, this statement was made when Mr. Trump signed a memorandum to re-apply the "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran on February 5, with the goal of reducing Iran's oil exports to zero, preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons.
"I have left the instructions, if they do that, they will be wiped out.
In the event of Trump's assassination, Vice President J.D. Vance would take over as president under the rules of the American political system. However, decisions made by Trump before that would not necessarily be followed by his successor.
For years, federal agencies have been tracking threats from Iran against Trump and his administration officials. The tense relationship between President Donald Trump and Iran became particularly tense after he ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in 2020. Soleimani was the head of the Quds Force, a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and a major figure in Iran’s military strategy in the Middle East.
Mr Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy has heightened tensions between the two sides, especially after the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. Severe sanctions against Iran have increased confrontation and the risk of conflict remains ever-present.
Mr Trump's strong directive in case of assassination once again reflects his fierceness in dealing with Iran.
