Washington: United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington could eliminate Iran’s remaining leadership with “one shot” if it chose to do so, but said the US would refrain from such action because it wants negotiations with Tehran to continue.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with Axios, referring to the gathering of senior Iranian leaders during the week-long state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28.
Trump cites diplomacy over military action
Speaking about the funeral, Trump suggested that Iran’s top leadership was assembled in one place but said the United States had no intention of targeting them.
“They are all there. One shot and we can take them all out, but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with,” Trump told Axios.
He reiterated that the US preferred to keep diplomatic channels open despite continuing tensions with Iran.
Comments on funeral mourners draw response
Trump also said he was surprised by the large number of Iranians mourning Khamenei, claiming he had believed the former Supreme Leader was widely disliked within the country.
“I thought people hated him. Maybe it’s fake tears,” he said.
Iran’s embassy in Armenia responded sharply on social media, stating: “You don’t understand these things because you have neither civilization, nor history, nor honor.”
Iran warns against further attacks
Ahead of the funeral ceremonies, Iranian military officials warned the United States and Israel against launching any further strikes.
Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Iran’s armed forces would respond decisively to any threat or aggression against the country, according to Iranian state media.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also warned of an immediate response to any threat against Iran’s leadership after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly suggested that Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was “marked for death”.
Funeral continues amid heightened security
Funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on July 4 and are scheduled to conclude on July 9 with his burial in Mashhad, following additional ceremonies in Qom and Iraq.
Media reports said Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly during the ceremonies due to security concerns following the airstrikes that killed his father.
Conclusion
Trump’s remarks come as tensions between the United States, Iran and Israel remain high following the conflict earlier this year. While reiterating Washington’s military capabilities, the US President indicated that his administration continues to favour negotiations over further escalation.