Iran state TV airs chilling threat for Donald Trump amid unrest: ‘This time the bullet will not miss’

The broadcast marked what is being reported as one of Tehran’s most open threats yet to Trump amid reports that he is weighing military strikes against Iran.

Published on: Jan 15, 2026, 13:03:39 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A new flashpoint emerged in the ongoing US-Iran tensions over Tehran’s handling of the protests in the country, with the Islamic Republic’s state broadcaster running a poster from a pro-government rally that seemed like an assassination threat for US President Donald Trump.

A man hands out posters of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a funeral ceremony for a group of security forces, who were killed during anti-government protests, in Tehran, Iran, (AP)

According to a report by AFP, Iranian state television showed an image from the rally showing Trump's assassination attempt, captioned: "This time it will not miss the target".

It appeared to be referring to the assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally in 2024 in Pennsylvania. The attempt in July 2024 during a campaign rally had wounded Trump in the ear.

The photo had gone viral on social media and became a rallying cry for his base to reunite, and was said to be one of the reasons for his landslide win over his democratic opponent Kamala Harris.

The broadcast marked what is being reported as one of Tehran’s most open threats yet to Trump amid reports that he is weighing military strikes against Iran. Iranian officials have accused Washington of using the country’s internal unrest as a justification for possible intervention.

HT.com, however, could not independently verify the broadcast

No reaction from Iran over state TV threat

The message was widely interpreted as a reference to the Butler rally shooting, in which Donald Trump was wounded during a pre-election speech. Iranian television paired the warning with a photograph from that event.

However, no official reaction from the authorities has been reported regarding the incident.

The threat followed claims that the United States has begun repositioning forces in the region, including reports of troop movements from its largest base in the Middle East, amid concerns Iran could retaliate if struck. The decision came as a senior official in Tehran mentioned the country's retaliatory attack in June 2025 at Al Udeid Air Base, located outside the Qatari capital of Doha.

Meanwhile, the security forces' crackdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,615, the Associated Press reported, citing the US-based Human Rights Activists. The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.