President Donald Trump reinstated his hardline “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran on Tuesday, signing an executive order that coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House.
Despite approving the order, Trump admitted he had mixed feelings about it. “I was torn,” he told reporters, adding that he was “unhappy to do it” because the sanctions were extremely tough on Iran. Still, he made it clear that they were necessary. “Hopefully, we’re not going to have to use it very much,” he said.
The executive order directs the Treasury Department to apply relentless economic pressure on Tehran, targeting its oil exports through a series of aggressive sanctions. This move mirrors Trump’s first administration, which implemented similar measures after withdrawing from the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal—the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—in 2018. That agreement had lifted sanctions in exchange for Iran restricting its nuclear program, but Trump viewed it as deeply flawed.
In January, Trump hinted at the possibility of a new nuclear agreement with Iran. When asked if he supported an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, he remained measured but firm. “Iran hopefully will make a deal. I mean, if they don’t, I guess that’s OK, too,” he said. “We’ll see.”
But Trump also issued a stark warning to Iran regarding reports that Tehran and its proxies had threatened to assassinate him in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani. Speaking to Fox News’ Peter Doocy, Trump didn’t mince words. “If they did that, they would be obliterated,” he stated. “There won’t be anything left.”
BREAKING: President Trump says he's "left instructions" if Iran assassinates him
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 4, 2025
"That would be a terrible thing for them to do, not because of me. If they did that, they would be obliterated. That would be the end. I've left instructions."
"There wouldn't be anything left." pic.twitter.com/cXmYgew3mw
Trump also criticized President Joe Biden for not taking a similarly strong stance. “Biden should have said that, but he never did,” Trump said, implying a lack of leadership or intelligence. He doubled down on his warning, saying that if any state targeted a leader in such a way, “total obliteration” would be the only appropriate response.
“This is a very powerful document,” Trump said of his executive order. “Hopefully, we’re not going to have to use it.”
READ NEXT: You Have To See This Flintlock Machine Gun From The 1700s
Right or Wrong ? Always will be a ISSUE in our SOCIETY. But a rolling Snow ball get BIGGER Gathering more Snow, Followers, You get the POINT? So the Old facts. STAMP OUT THE STAMP PETER !!!!!!! For sad fact :Give a break too HAMOSS to refuel and it will NEVER STOP. THIS has been a FACT , it has been a repeat and waste of money and LIVES !!!! But a Question or fact ? Wasting MONEY ? Sounds more like a GOVERNMENT thing ? Remember lots of people , YOU are just a COMDITY in the MONEY GAME of LIFE ! Just a PAWN not a PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOUNDS too Good too be TRUE ! FINGERS CROSSED and Eyes open , nose cleared, waiting for the (shit ) too Hit the FAN !!!!!