Trump Says He Has Given Orders That Iran Will Be 'Erased' If It Attempts to Assassinate Him

Donald Trump, after issuing a memo to revive 'maximum pressure' on Iran, stated that his orders in this regard are very strict, but he is willing to meet with the President of Iran to encourage Tehran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The U.S. President announced on Tuesday, February 5, at the White House that he has instructed his advisors that if Iran attempts to assassinate him, it should be 'erased and nothing should remain of it.' Trump's remarks refer to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice last November that Iran had attempted to assassinate him before the U.S. presidential elections. Iranian officials have denied this accusation, and recently, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, emphasized in an interview with U.S. media that Tehran is not seeking such actions. He recalled that he had hesitated to issue the presidential memo regarding pressure on Iran and expressed hope that there would be no need to use it. The U.S. President reiterated that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons and added that it is our right to prevent the sale of Iranian oil. 'I really would like to reach an agreement with Iran,' Trump said hours after announcing this decision at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump stated, 'I say these words to Iran, which is listening carefully. I really hope we can reach a good agreement, one that allows you to continue your life. You will succeed.' The U.S. President then praised the Iranian people, saying, 'The people of Iran are amazing; hardworking, talented, and beautiful. They are truly an incredible group. I know them well; I have many friends from Iran, as well as Iranian-American friends. They take pride in Iran.' He then reiterated that he is dissatisfied with the maximum pressure policy on Iran, stating, 'Believe me, I was not happy to take these actions; I just want you to understand this. I hope we can do something to prevent the situation from heading towards a disaster. I do not want that.' Hours before these remarks, an American official announced that the U.S. presidential memo aims to block all pathways for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and counter the country's 'malicious influence.' According to this report, the presidential memo tasks the U.S. Treasury Secretary with implementing 'maximum economic pressure' on Iran, which includes sanctions and mechanisms to punish those who violate existing sanctions. This official also stated that the Trump administration will implement a campaign 'aimed at reducing Iran's oil exports to zero.' According to this American official, U.S. representatives at the United Nations, in cooperation with their key partners, will pursue 'completing the trigger mechanism for international sanctions and restrictions on Iran.' The Trump administration intends to strike Iran when it is 'extraordinarily weak.' The European troika, including Britain, France, and Germany, informed the United Nations Security Council last December that they are prepared to activate the 'trigger mechanism' to restore international sanctions against Iran if necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Under the 2015 nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA, a resolution was passed in the UN Security Council that lifted international sanctions against Iran. The Western parties to the JCPOA have until October of this year to use the trigger mechanism to restore sanctions. The U.S. presidential memo revives the strict policies against Iran that Trump implemented during his first term. Trump has accused the Biden administration of weakening the U.S. position against Iran over the past four years. Iranian officials claim that the maximum pressure policy during Trump's first term has failed; however, most of them acknowledge that the severe U.S. sanctions have negatively impacted Iran's economic situation. Following the imposition of U.S. oil sanctions against Tehran during Trump's previous presidency, Iran's daily oil exports fell from 2.5 million barrels to below 350,000 barrels in just two years. With the Biden administration taking office and changing the pressure of sanctions, Iran's daily oil exports have seen a significant increase each year, peaking at 1.85 million barrels per day last September, the highest in five years. Moments after the announcement of the Trump administration's readiness to revive the maximum pressure policy against Iran, the dollar rate surged by about a thousand tomans, exceeding 85 thousand tomans.