**Trump Declares Himself Iran’s ‘Number One Target’ Amid Rising Tensions**
US President Donald Trump has publicly stated that he believes Iran considers him its “number one target,” raising concerns about his safety amid escalating tensions between the two nations. His remarks were made during a NATO summit held in Ankara on Wednesday, where discussions were overshadowed by the collapse of a tentative ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The recent deterioration in relations comes after the United States conducted airstrikes on numerous Iranian targets in response to alleged attacks on oil tankers in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US military accused Iran of engaging in “unwarranted aggression,” while Iranian media reported that one of the attacked tankers had ignored warnings, emphasizing that Iran has jurisdiction over maritime passages in the area.
In his address at the summit, Trump did not hold back his criticism of the Iranian leadership, labeling them as “scum,” “sick,” and “cuckoo.” He declared the ceasefire between the US and Iran to be “over” and dismissed further negotiations as “a waste of time.”
Trump also referenced the history of targeted assassinations of Iranian leaders, suggesting that the US has played a significant role in removing key figures from power. “They had leaders. They’re gone. And they had another set of leaders. They’re gone. Now they have another set of leaders. They may be gone,” he stated, implying that his own position could be similarly threatened. “I may be gone, too, because I’m their number one target,” he added, asserting that his actions are in the best interest of the country.
Concerns about Trump's safety have been heightened by US authorities’ claims that Iran has plotted to assassinate him, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Reports indicate that an Afghan national named Farhad Shakeri, residing in Tehran, was allegedly tasked with developing a plan to kill Trump and other US and Israeli citizens. Iranian officials have categorically rejected these allegations, labeling them as “completely baseless” and a “malicious conspiracy” aimed at exacerbating tensions between the two nations.
Despite the denials from Tehran, Iran has consistently threatened “harsh retaliation” against Trump and other US officials involved in the drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in January 2020.
The issue of Trump’s safety is not new; he has been the target of multiple assassination attempts throughout his presidency. Notably, in July 2024, a bullet fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania struck Trump in the ear, resulting in the death of a rally attendee before Crooks was shot dead by a Secret Service agent. Additionally, in September 2024, a man was apprehended with a rifle near Trump’s golf course in Florida, raising further alarms about his security.
In April 2026, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner due to gunfire. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was later charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, aware that the situation could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security.