Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, warned on Wednesday of “big threats” on his life from Iran after his campaign reported receiving intelligence on “real and specific” dangers from Tehran.
“Big threats on my life by Iran. The entire U.S. Military is watching and waiting,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
He added, “Moves were already made by Iran that didn’t work out, but they will try again… I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before.” This statement comes amid heightened attention on the U.S. Secret Service following two attempts on Trump’s life earlier this year.
Trump’s campaign disclosed on Tuesday that U.S. intelligence officials had briefed the former president on threats from Iran aiming to assassinate him.
It was not immediately clear whether these threats were recent or ongoing, as similar concerns had previously been reported.
Campaign communications director Steven Cheung stated, “President Trump was briefed earlier today by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence regarding real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in an effort to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States.”
Cheung also noted that law enforcement agencies were actively working to ensure Trump’s protection and safeguard the election from interference.
These developments come as world leaders seek to prevent further escalation of tensions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, amid fears of a broader regional conflict.
Iran has denied any involvement in attempts on Trump’s life, including an assassination attempt in July at a rally in Pennsylvania. At the time, U.S. media reported that authorities had received intelligence of an alleged Iranian plot against Trump, leading to increased security measures.
“If they do ‘assassinate President Trump,’ which is always a possibility, I hope that America obliterates Iran,” Trump had posted on Truth Social in response.
U.S. intelligence agencies have also accused Iran of hacking Trump’s campaign, allegedly in an attempt to influence the upcoming 2024 election. A joint statement from intelligence officials indicated that foreign actors, including Iran, Russia, and China, were increasing their election interference efforts.
The agencies claimed Iranian hackers had obtained and offered “stolen, non-public” information from Trump’s campaign, trying to share it with U.S. media and the staff of his opponent, President Joe Biden.
Iran has consistently denied all allegations.
Meanwhile, the campaign of Trump’s Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, also reported being targeted by foreign hackers, though the country behind the attempt remains unspecified.
As Americans head to the polls on November 5, Trump and Harris remain in a close race, according to recent polling data.