By Hollie Silverman and Gabe Whisnant
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Iranian state television aired a segment on Wednesday warning U.S. President Donald Trump that “this time, [the bullet] won’t miss,” escalating Tehran’s rhetoric amid rising regional tensions.
The segment included an image of Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents following the 2024 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Amichai Stein, a correspondent for i24 News and The Jerusalem Post, shared the post on X with a translation from Farsi.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email.
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The Context
Iranian officials and state media have repeatedly issued threats toward Trump since the U.S. drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
Senior commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard have vowed retaliation, at times suggesting Trump would be a target, and state television has periodically aired symbolic threats or warnings tied to that promise. Tehran’s leadership has framed these statements as part of its pledge to avenge Soleimani’s death.
Trump has warned that U.S. military action could follow if protesters are executed, while the Iranian regime has replied with its own threats and vows of resistance, urging demonstrators Tuesday to "keep protesting and take over your institutions."
What To Know
The footage aired by Iranian state media during a funeral ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday, which included an image referencing Trump’s 2024 assassination attempt, was broadcast among banners reading "Death to America," as thousands gathered to mourn members of the security forces and others killed in recent demonstrations. The event, covered by international agencies, was one of several government-organized pro-regime rallies following a violent state crackdown on protests, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The Iranian government has vowed to hold fast-track public trials for those detained in what officials described as acts of “riot” and “terror,” following weeks of anti-government demonstrations that have turned into the largest challenge to the Islamic Republic since 1979, according to the AFP report.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, appeared on state TV, saying that those accused of committing violent crimes would be prosecuted swiftly, at times interrogating detainees himself on camera.
Human rights organizations report that a near-total internet blackout—imposed since January 8, according to monitoring group Netblocks—has allowed authorities to suppress information and obscure the scale of violence.
Who Was Erfan Soltani?
Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian protester, was reported by the U.S. State Department’s Farsi-language account and rights groups as the first protester sentenced to execution amid the current wave of unrest.
Soltani’s case has become a focus for international campaigners, including Amnesty International, which has called for an immediate halt to all executions linked to the protests.
How Many Protesters Have Died in Iran?
The precise number of deaths remains contested due to severe blackout and government restrictions.
Activists say there have been at least 2,500 deaths in the uprising, with over 10,000 people detained, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Is the US Going to War With Iran?
Though Trump issued warnings of "very strong action" and suggested direct military response if executions or mass killings continued, there is no verified official indication that the U.S. has commenced or plans to launch open warfare against Iran.
Policy statements continue to alternate between threats of force and openness to negotiation, with Trump also indicating willingness to make a deal on Iran’s nuclear program if certain conditions are met.
Iran’s leaders have condemned U.S. threats and signaled they will not retreat from their security policies, appealing for national unity even as economic conditions and public dissatisfaction intensify.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump told CBS News on Tuesday: “We will take very strong action if they do such a thing. When they start killing thousands of people—and now you’re telling me about hanging. We’ll see how that’s going to work out for them.”
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, judiciary chief of Iran, speaking on state television as reported by Agence France-Presse: “If a person burned someone, beheaded someone and set them on fire then we must do our work quickly.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, as reported by Iran International: “Tehran reserves its right to pursue a legal process for achieving justice regarding the killing of national champions and senior officials to achieve results in domestic and international courts.”
What Happens Next
Iran’s authorities have signaled that harsh repression of protests will continue, with additional trials for detainees expected in public view.
Trump has not elaborated on the specific "strong actions" he may pursue, but the U.S. continues to enforce a policy of maximum pressure and has expressed readiness for dialogue if Iran meets certain conditions regarding its nuclear program.
Update 1/14/26, 1:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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