Iranian security chief Ali Larijani has issued a stark warning to U.S. President Donald Trump, dismissing his threats and cautioning him to "take care of yourself not to be eliminated," following Trump's comments on Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The exchange comes amid heightened conflict in the Middle East, where Trump has vowed "death, fire, and fury" if Iran continues to restrict the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in U.S.–Israeli strikes. Trump stated that the new leader would be unable to "live in peace" and claimed the U.S. would have the final say over Iran's leadership.
Larijani rejected these remarks as "empty threats," asserting: "Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Take care of yourself not to be eliminated!"
The Iranian official's statement follows the recent conviction of Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national trained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), for plotting to assassinate Trump during the 2024 U.S. presidential race. U.S. national security officials had warned Trump's campaign of multiple Iranian kill teams operating within the country.
The tensions underscore ongoing retaliatory actions since the U.S.–Israel campaign began, with Iran targeting U.S. bases and allies, while coalition forces continue strikes on Iranian infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with disruptions pushing global oil prices above $100 per barrel.
As the war intensifies, both sides have exchanged increasingly bellicose rhetoric, raising fears of further escalation and broader regional instability.
