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.