U.S.-Iran tensions escalate as Trump threatens military retaliation over assassination threat

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US-Iran tensions escalate

Highlights

Washington imposes new sanctions on alleged Iranian facilitator Ali Ansari, lifts Iran's oil waiver, and threatens military retaliation amid assassination threats against Trump.
Trump states 1,000 missiles are 'locked and loaded' for strikes against Iran, promising a one-year preparedness period for U.S. military action if provoked.
Despite resumption of hostilities and renewed U.S. strikes on vessels, technical peace talks are set to continue, with Oman mediating and Iran disputing U.S. compliance.

Threats, talks and new sanctions

As reported by CNBC, citing the U.S. Treasury Department, Washington imposes sanctions on alleged Iranian financial facilitator Ali Ansari after renewed attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump simultaneously says the U.S. is ready to retaliate if Iran attempts to kill him.

In a Truth Social post late Friday U.S. time, Trump says 1,000 missiles are "locked and loaded" and aimed at Iran, with more ready to follow, if the Iranian government acts on what he describes as threats to assassinate him. He adds that orders have already been given and that the U.S. military is prepared for a one-year period, subject to extension, to "completely decimate and destroy" all areas of Iran.

Earlier in the week, The Wall Street Journal and other U.S. media report that Israel shared intelligence about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. Trump also says early Friday that the United States and Iran agree to continue peace talks, even though he states that the ceasefire established by last month’s preliminary deal is over.

Trump says on Truth Social that Iran has asked to continue talks and that Washington agrees to do so. Iran’s state media do not immediately confirm or deny that request, while a report by MS NOW, citing a U.S. official, says the two sides will hold technical talks despite a return to hostilities.

Regional fallout and dispute over compliance

The latest exchange highlights the fragile state of diplomacy as military action, sanctions and shipping security all weigh on efforts to contain the conflict. Oman remains a central mediator as Iran signals that U.S. measures breach earlier understandings between the two sides.

The U.S. military conducts renewed offensive strikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Treasury Department also withdraws a waiver that had allowed Iran to sell its oil, adding to pressure on Tehran.

In its statement, the Treasury says Ansari oversees a global network of assets benefiting Mojtaba Khamenei and other regime elites. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the department will continue using its tools to isolate Iran’s leadership from the global financial system.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the sanctions violate the June memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran. Tasnim News Agency reports that Araghchi arrives in Oman early Saturday for talks, underscoring Muscat’s role in attempts to end the war.

Our earlier article on U.S.–Iran peace talks amid renewed military pressure explained that Washington and Tehran were keeping diplomatic channels open even as Trump declared the ceasefire “over” and left the door open to further strikes. We also noted that attacks linked to the Strait of Hormuz were amplifying risks to regional shipping and energy markets, keeping conditions volatile despite intermittent pauses in U.S. strikes.

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