Donald Trump appeared unfazed by a provocative comment made by an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, which suggested the former president could be attacked while relaxing at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Mohammad-Javad Larijani, a senior aide to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remarked during a televised discussion on July 9 about Iran’s advancements in military technology.
Laughing as he spoke, Larijani described a hypothetical scenario in which Trump could be unexpectedly targeted.
“Trump can no longer sunbathe at Mar-a-Lago,” he joked, “because while he’s lying there, a micro-drone might hit him right in the navel.”
Despite the chilling tone of the comment, Larijani followed up by saying Iran wouldn’t resort to such tactics, adding: “Of course, we fight like men.”
Nonetheless, the remark resurfaced during a Fox News interview with Trump, where host Peter Doocy brought it up by asking when he last went sunbathing.
Trump responded lightheartedly, “It’s been a long time. I think I was maybe around seven. I’ve never really been into it.”
He then downplayed the seriousness of the comment, saying,
“I guess it’s a threat. I’m sure it’s not a threat, actually… but maybe it is.”
Larijani’s comments came shortly after Trump expressed his willingness to launch further strikes against Iran, following a U.S. attack on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.
When asked by a reporter whether he would consider bombing Iran again if intelligence reports showed the country was enriching uranium to a concerning level, Trump replied, “Absolutely, without hesitation—it would have to be extraordinary.”
He continued, “They’re exhausted. Israel is, too. I’ve worked with both sides, and we really did a solid job. But they’re both tired. Right now, nuclear ambitions aren’t on their minds. They’re just trying to make it through tomorrow.”
After Larijani’s remarks gained attention, the U.S. Secret Service responded in a statement to Newsweek, saying it could not comment on specific protective intelligence issues.
However, it emphasized: “We operate in a highly dynamic and elevated threat environment. The safety and security of the President and all of our protectees remain our top priority.”
