Trump Issues Chilling Ultimatum to Iran, Says Whole Country Could Be ‘Blown Up’ if Threats Continue

The Inquisitr

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, President Trump issued one of his most aggressive warnings to date against Tehran during an interview with NewsNation's Katie Pavlich. Responding to ongoing reports of Iranian assassination plots against him, the President declared that any such attempt would lead to the total destruction of the country.  Key Details of the Warning The "Blown Up" Threat: Trump stated that he has left "very firm instructions" that if anything happens to him, the United States will respond by blowing up the "whole country" of Iran.  "Wiped Off the Earth": He further emphasized his directive, saying that if Tehran acts on these threats, the U.S. is prepared to "wipe them off the face of this earth".  Criticism of the Previous Administration: Trump used the platform to claim that former President Joe Biden "should have said something" when threats were first made, arguing that past leaders failed to respond with sufficient force.  Personalized Deterrence: The President framed the retaliation as both a protective and punitive measure, linking his personal safety directly to Iran's survival as a nation.  Strategic Context The President's remarks coincide with a period of extreme tension between Washington and Tehran. While the administration has recently moved the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group toward the Middle East to expand strike options, Trump also claimed credit for "halting" hundreds of scheduled executions in Iran through his public pressure.  This rhetoric has drawn criticism from international allies who fear that such "maximalist" language narrows the path for diplomacy, even as the U.S. reportedly engages in behind-the-scenes discussions regarding regional de-escalation.

Transcript

00:00A former White House press secretary commented publicly on President Donald Trump's extended

00:04press conference held Tuesday, raising questions about his performance during the event. Stephanie

00:08Grisham, who served as press secretary during Trump's first term, posted on X following the

00:13nearly two-hour appearance. In her post, Grisham described the press conference as unusual and

00:17urged Congress to take notice. Grisham, who has since aligned with Democratic candidates,

00:21served in the role for nine months between 2019 and 2020. During the press conference,

00:26Trump reviewed visual materials, discussed a wide range of topics, and did not take questions

00:30until more than an hour into the event. His remarks included commentary on foreign countries,

00:34references to past achievements, and discussion unrelated to the original briefing topic.

00:39At one point, the president shifted from recalling his experiences playing baseball as a child to

00:43speaking about mental health institutions. The White House did not immediately respond

00:47to requests for comment regarding Grisham's remarks. Following the event, several commentators on social

00:52media referenced the 25th Amendment, which outlines procedures for addressing presidential incapacity.

00:57Any action under the amendment would require involvement from the president's cabinet or

01:01Congress. Trump, who became the oldest individual to be inaugurated president last year, has recently

01:05been observed appearing drowsy during some public appearances, according to prior media reports.

01:10The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles encouraged cabinet members

01:14to keep briefings concise due to concerns about presentation length. The president has repeatedly

01:18cited results from cognitive testing as evidence of his mental fitness. In April, White House

01:23physician Dr. Sean Barbabella stated that Trump completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment,

01:27a brief screening tool used to evaluate cognitive function. According to Barbabella,

01:31Trump received a score of 30 out of 30. The assessment includes tasks such as drawing a clock,

01:36identifying animals, and recalling a list of words after a delay. And don't forget to like for more

01:41breaking political news.

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