What Happens If Tehran Assassinates Donald Trump? How US President's 'Bomb Iran' Plan Would Work

Trump has declared intentions for military strikes against Iran if he is assassinated amid tensions in the Middle East. His comments follow tense sentiments during Khamenei’s funeral, where calls for the death of US President were raised.

US President Donald Trump has claimed he has issued instructions for the American military to launch devastating strikes against Iran if Tehran follows through on what he described as long-standing threats to assassinate him. The remarks came amid heightened tensions with Iran, where mourners at funeral ceremonies for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were seen carrying posters calling for the deaths of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking earlier this week, Trump said he had ordered the US military to strike Iran “at levels they’ve never seen before” if he were assassinated. But the question is: how is this possible and how would the plan to attack Iran work following Trump’s killing?

While the statement underscored the seriousness with which the US views threats, American law does not provide for any automatic military retaliation in the event of a President’s assassination, in this case, it will be Donald Trump.

Under the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, presidential powers would immediately transfer to Vice President JD Vance, who would become commander-in-chief. Vance would then have full authority to determine the US response, including whether to carry out Trump’s stated directive, modify it or pursue a different course altogether.

The US government also maintains extensive continuity-of-government plans designed to ensure the functioning of federal institutions in the event of catastrophic attacks, including a nuclear strike or the assassination of senior leaders.