Trump says he is top target on Iranian kill list

President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed he is the top target on an Iranian assassination list, making the assertion during and after the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week. The remarks, which he delivered to reporters on Wednesday and reiterated in follow-up comments, have amplified security discussions amid a backdrop of renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Speaking at a press conference on July 8, Trump stated, "I'm number one on their list for years," and described Iranian leaders as "evil, sick people." He later told a reporter traveling with him that if Iran targeted Air Force One, "if I go, you go," suggesting journalists might consider changing professions due to the danger. These comments coincided with a notable change in the president's travel plans, as he announced he would not be flying back to the United States on the new Air Force One. Instead, he said the aircraft would be sent to a U.S. base in the United Kingdom for military personnel to tour, while he would travel on the former presidential plane from Turkey to the U.K. Trump denied that security concerns prompted the switch, stating the move was to honor service members.