Iran has delivered a sharp warning to former US President Donald Trump, telling him to "be careful not to be eliminated" following his remarks that he doubts the regime's new Supreme Leader can "live in peace." This escalating war of words comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the recent appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's supreme leader.
Trump's Threats and Iran's Defiance
Donald Trump told Iran to prepare for "death, fire and fury" for keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, a critical global oil shipping route, before directly threatening the new leader Mojtaba Khamenei. In a recent interview with Fox, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the appointment, stating the new Supreme Leader will be unable to "live in peace" and that he was "not happy with the appointment." He previously asserted, "If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long," emphasizing his intent to have the final say over Iran's leadership to avoid recurring conflicts.
Iran's Firm Response
However, Iran's security chief Ali Larijani dismissed Trump's comments as "empty threats," boldly claiming that Iran "is not afraid" and warning Trump to "take care of yourself not to be eliminated!" Larijani added, "Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation," highlighting a history of resilience against external pressures. This defiant stance underscores the regime's confidence amid international scrutiny.
Mojtaba Khamenei's Appointment and Background
Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56 and the second son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was confirmed as Iran's new Supreme Leader on Sunday after being appointed by the regime's 88-person assembly. A hardline cleric with close ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he is viewed as even more extremist than his father. His appointment has sparked internal protests, with Iranians shouting "death to Mojtaba" from their homes, reflecting domestic dissent.
Regional Conflicts and Assassination Threats
The "vengeful" leader is marked for assassination by Israel, which vowed to "eliminate" whoever succeeded the slain Ayatollah after killing him and Mojtaba's wife Zahra Haddad-Adel in strikes on the first day of the conflict. Mojtaba has already been wounded, with Iranian state TV describing him as "janbaz," or wounded by the enemy, in what media in Iran refer to as the "Ramadan war." This ongoing conflict adds a layer of danger to his leadership.
Trump's Predictions and Strategic Moves
Trump warned that Mojtaba's appointment is "going to lead to just more of the same," as he aims a new wave of deadly strikes at the regime. This comes after Tehran threatened that not "one litre of oil" would be shipped from the Middle East if attacks continue. On Monday, Trump claimed the US had inflicted serious damage on Iran's military and predicted the conflict would end well before the initial four-week timeframe he had outlined, though he has not defined what victory would entail.
This breaking news story highlights the volatile dynamics between Iran and the US, with both sides exchanging harsh warnings and threats. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for global oil markets and regional stability. More developments are expected as tensions continue to simmer.
