President Donald Trump warned on January 20, 2026, that Iran would be "wiped off the face of the earth" if it attempts to assassinate him, issuing firm instructions for total retaliation. The statement came during a NewsNation interview marking his one-year anniversary in office, amid ongoing Iranian threats traced back to the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani.

Iran responded aggressively, with Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi stating that any aggression toward Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would see the US hand "cut off" and its world "set on fire." Iranian state TV escalated rhetoric by airing an image of Trump's 2024 Butler rally assassination attempt with the caption "This time it won't miss."

Tensions coincide with deadly anti-government protests in Iran since late December 2025, triggered by economic woes, where at least 36 people—including minors—have been killed in the crackdown, per human rights monitors. Trump claimed US pressure halted plans for 837 executions and eased protester killings, though Tehran signaled ongoing trials. This follows US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 during an Israel-Iran conflict.