Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani attacked US President Donald Trump. The minister of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned him against threats and warned of his own “elimination”.
In a post on X, Larijani said the Iranian people are not afraid of what he called Trump’s “empty threats.”
Invoking the “spirit of Ashura,” Larijani said Iran draws its courage from that teaching and will not be cowed by American pressure.
Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is a significant day for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. However, the two communities observe it very differently.
In Iran, the world’s largest Shia-majority country, Ashura is a day of deep mourning. It marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
The “Spirit of Ashura” refers to resistance against oppression. It also means unwavering faith, moral courage and God’s intervention.
“The Ashura loving nation of Iran is not afraid of your paper threats. Even those greater than you have not been able to eliminate the Iranian nation. Take care of yourselves – lest you be eliminated!” Larijani wrote on Twitter (now X).
The threat of Donald Trump
Larijani’s remarks follow Trump’s post on Truth Social. The US president has warned that Iran will be hit harder if it tries to block oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. It is a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
“If Iran does anything to stop the flow of oil in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States of America will hit it TWENTY TIMES WORSE than it has been hit so far,” Trump wrote.
“Furthermore, we will remove easily destructible targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever stand back up as a nation again – death, fire and fury will reign over them – but I hope and pray that will not happen!” Trump added.
Assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei
The US and Israel launched major airstrikes against Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated on February 28. Several senior commanders and civilians were also killed. Both military and civilian targets were hit, causing heavy casualties.
Iran struck back. It fired waves of rockets and drones at American and Israeli positions throughout the region.
On March 11, the military conflict between Israel/US and Iran entered its 12th day. How long it will continue is unclear.
