'Will blow Iran to smithereens if it harms me': Trump
What's the story
Donald Trump, the former United States President, has issued a stern warning to Iran amid reports of threats against his life.
Speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, Trump stated that if he were president and Iran harmed him or any other US presidential candidate or ex-president, he would "blow [Iran's] largest cities and the country itself to smithereens."
Threat details
Trump highlights direct threats from Iran
Trump emphasized that both he and the US have been "threatened very directly by Iran."
He insisted on the need for a firm message to reach Tehran, warning of severe consequences if it were involved in plots to harm a US president or presidential candidate.
"The best way to do it is through the office of the president, that (if) you do any attacks on former presidents or candidates for president, your country gets blown to smithereens," he said.
Security concerns
Trump questions Iranian President's security amid threats
Trump also expressed surprise at the substantial protection provided to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
He found it "strange" that such security measures were in place while threats against him, a former US president and potential future president, were emerging.
The US is obligated under its treaty with the UN and its own laws to provide security for foreign heads of state attending the General Assembly.
Assassination attempts
Iran denies involvement in assassination attempts
Iran denied charges that it was attempting to kill Trump this summer, just after a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, killing one person and injuring the presidential candidate.
Following this incident, Trump posted on social media that if Iran did kill him, he hoped "America obliterates Iran, wipes it off the face of the Earth."
Cybersecurity threats
US intelligence warns of cyberattacks on presidential campaigns
In addition to physical threats, US intelligence services have also warned of attempted cyberattacks on the presidential campaigns of both Trump and his rival Kamala Harris. These attacks are believed to be backed by Iran.
Trump's campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, stated that "Intelligence officials have identified that these continued and coordinated attacks have heightened in the past few months."