An Iranian newspaper has published a chilling 'revenge list' naming 13 world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and former US President Donald Trump, as targets for assassination. The list, published by the conservative Tehran-based newspaper Hamshahri, comes after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28.
List Features Crosshair Graphics
The ominous infographic, shared online by the notoriously provocative newspaper, features each leader with a crosshair superimposed over the centre of their forehead. Alongside the graphic, a statement from Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed revenge for his father's killing.
Mojtaba said on Saturday: 'Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out. These criminals, whose names appear on a list, will take to their graves the wish of a peaceful death in their beds.'
Full List of Named Leaders
The 13 names on the list include Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Sir Keir Starmer. The list also features other prominent political figures from the US and Europe.
There has been no suggestion or confirmation that the list published by Hamshahri has been endorsed by Iran's leadership. However, the newly-minted Supreme Leader had earlier stated that the Islamic Republic had already compiled a list of people to be targeted, though he did not publicly name anyone at that time.
Intelligence Reports of Assassination Plots
Despite the apparent lack of official endorsement, several US journalists have reported claims that Iran has been plotting to assassinate President Donald Trump. According to The Times, Israel shared intelligence with the US alleging there was an active plot to kill Trump. CNN also reported there had been a 'steady drumbeat' of intelligence suggesting a threat to the US President, claiming the warning from Jerusalem was 'new and concerned a specific plot'.
The reported assassination fears may explain Trump's last-minute change of aircraft as he departed last week's NATO summit in Turkey. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the conference in Ankara, Trump said: 'They want to take out the US leader – me. I'm on whatever list. I saw this morning I'm on every single one of their lists.'
Renewed US-Iran Conflict
The reported threat against Trump comes as fighting has flared up once again between the US and Iran, raising fresh questions over the prospects of a lasting peace between the two countries. US forces struck around 140 targets on Sunday (July 12) in response to attacks on commercial ships in the region.
Iran claimed the vessels had 'disregarded warnings' about using an approved route through the Strait of Hormuz, which it said would remain closed until the 'end of US interference in this region'. The strategic waterway carries around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments during peacetime. Previous closures have sent shockwaves through global markets, driving up fuel and energy prices around the world.
