Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated again after reports emerged that several senior Iranian clerics and hardline figures called for the deaths of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) appears to wield significant influence in Iran, the country’s clerical leadership and religious establishment continue to play a major role in shaping policy and rhetoric. At the same time, Iran’s civilian government has continued discussing the possibility of diplomatic negotiations and a potential peace agreement, even as regional tensions remain high.
According to reports, members of Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts issued a statement declaring Trump and Netanyahu “deserving of death” and described retaliation against the two leaders as a religious duty. The Assembly of Experts is the body constitutionally responsible for selecting and supervising Iran’s supreme leader.
The statement also referred to the importance of avenging any harm done to Iran’s leadership, particularly Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, there has been considerable speculation about Khamenei’s current condition and public role, as he has made limited appearances in recent weeks.
Adding to the inflammatory rhetoric, the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reportedly published a front-page image showing Trump’s face inside a rifle’s crosshairs beneath the headline “Revenge is certain.”
Security analysts note that such threats cannot be dismissed outright. Previous assassination attempts against Trump have heightened concerns among U.S. officials and security agencies. Experts argue that an operation carried out by a state-backed organization would likely be more sophisticated than attacks conducted by isolated individuals.
Some commentators have also raised concerns about the possibility of foreign operatives entering the United States through illegal immigration channels, although there is no publicly available evidence confirming that Iranian sleeper cells or organized networks are currently operating inside the country.
The threats have increased pressure on the United States Secret Service and Israeli security services to remain vigilant. Analysts warn that if an attack on a U.S. president were ever conclusively linked to the Iranian government, it could trigger an overwhelming military and diplomatic response from the United States and its allies.
For now, the statements from Iran’s hardliners remain part of an increasingly hostile war of words, but they underscore the deep tensions and dangerous rhetoric that continue to shape relations between Tehran, Washington, and Jerusalem.
