A former top Iranian military chief has boasted that Tehran could assassinate Donald Trump right inside the White House. Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, a former senior commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, made the claim in an interview with Iranian news outlet Fararu.
"If the goal is to assassinate Trump, the Islamic Republic can easily do so in the White House. Whenever necessary, we are capable of doing that," Moghaddam said.
Iran Rejects Peaceful Resolution
The ex-general insisted that Tehran is not seeking a peaceful resolution in its current discussions with Washington. "We are not negotiating with the Americans for peace. We are negotiating to reduce tensions," he said, claiming the talks are designed to double down on the Islamic Republic's demands.
Moghaddam added: "We are not negotiating for peace with Trump and his criminal aides. In the negotiations, we are only seeking to restore our rights and clarify the accusations made against us by the United States." He warned: "As for revenge and retaliation, they remain firmly on the table."
Escalating Military Strikes
The rhetoric comes after American military strikes on Iran intensified over the weekend, pushing deeper inland. Trump has vowed to strike the nation "very hard," blasting Tehran for not agreeing to a peace treaty. He also promised that the US military would take control of the highly contested Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Monday, Trump said: "Now we're going to guard it, and we're going to get paid for guarding it."
Iran has hit back at Washington, accusing the US of ruining Omani-led talks meant to secure safe passage through the vital shipping route. Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari condemned America's "repeated provocations and destabilising actions," warning it could spark a wider war.
Ultimatum to Neighbouring Nations
Zolfaghari issued a stark ultimatum: "The leaders of the countries in the region are warned that any cooperation with the United States or logistical support for its military will be regarded as an act of war against Iran's sovereignty and national security."
The escalating Middle Eastern friction caused oil prices to spike over the weekend following fears that Tehran will completely shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping traffic has already plummeted through the vital chokepoint, which handles nearly 20 per cent of the world's oil supply.
