Iran has issued a stark warning to Donald Trump after the US president said the country’s newly installed supreme leader would not be able to “live in peace”.
The comments came after Tehran reportedly maintained pressure around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, prompting Trump to warn of devastating consequences if global oil flows were disrupted.
Trump said the United States would unleash “death, fire and fury” if Iran blocked a key maritime corridor.
“Iran must understand that if they close the Strait of Hormuz, they will face death, fire and fury like they have never seen before,” Trump said.
Trump warns new Iranian leader won’t ‘live in peace’
Trump also took aim at newly promoted Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtab Khamenei, saying he was “not happy with the appointment.”
“I don’t believe he’s going to be able to live in peace,” Trump said.
The US president added that he had previously warned Iranian officials that Washington would ultimately have the final say over its leadership.
Tehran responds with blunt warnings
Iranian officials were quick to push back against Trump’s comments.
A senior regime official, Ali Larijani, dismissed the threats as empty rhetoric and issued a strong warning aimed at the US president.
“Iran is not afraid of your empty threats,” Larijani said.
“Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Take care not to be eliminated.”
The conspiracy against Trump will emerge during the 2024 campaign
Larijani’s remarks come just days after a man accused of plotting to assassinate Trump during the 2024 presidential race was convicted in the United States.
Prosecutors said Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national allegedly trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was part of a plot targeting the then-presidential candidate.
The condemnation followed warnings by US national security officials during the campaign that Iranian agents were trying to track and target Trump, with reports suggesting several assassination teams had entered the United States.
Authorities said Merchant was found guilty Saturday in connection with the alleged conspiracy.
Washington signals escalation
Meanwhile, the White House signaled a possible escalation of military pressure.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday (March 10) would be the “most intense day” of US strikes against Iranian targets.
Trump has previously reiterated that Washington will not tolerate any interference with oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy bottlenecks.
