In an apparent direct threat against US President Donald Trump amid the heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, the Iranian state television aired an image from the assassination attempt on Trump, which happened at a campaign rally in 2024.
What was shown on Iranian state TV?
An image of Donald Trump at the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024 was aired on the Iranian state television, where he was shot at, but the bullet grazed his ear. Alongside, a chilling message was broadcast - "This time it (the bullet) will not miss the target," India Today reported.
The broadcast appeared to be Iran's most direct threat to the US President, as tensions between the two nations have escalated since protests spread across the nation against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's government. While the US has been reportedly weighing military options against Iran, authorities in Tehran have repeatedly alleged that Washington D.C. is planning on using internal unrest as an excuse for intervention.
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The broadcast showed the Iranian state television coupling an image from Trump's Butler rally with the threatening message. No official reaction has emerged from Tehran, India Today reported.
Trump warns 'strong response'
In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump warned of serious consequences if demonstrators continued to die in Iran. On the execution of protesters, he said, "We will take very strong action if they do such a thing." Trump added, "When they start killing thousands of people, and now you're telling me about hanging. We'll see how that's going to work out for them."
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Tehran dismissed the comments made by the US President as mere excuses for military intervention. Human rights organisations have estimated that over 2,500 people have died in Iran till now due to the protests, which include children and security personnel.
