During a Jan. 20 interview, President Donald Trump issued a grave warning to Iran, stating that the nation would face destruction if threats against him continue. This pronouncement heightens the existing tension between the U.S. and Iran amidst growing regional instability.
The statement was made by the President from the Oval Office of the White House during his guesting on Katie Pavlich Tonight on NewsNation. He informed viewers that a military plan is prepared to annihilate Iran should he be harmed. The interview aired on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at 10 p.m. EST.
In a preview of the Tuesday night interview, Trump was questioned about his reaction to what Pavlich characterized as taunts and threats from Iranian leaders targeting the president. “Well, they shouldn’t be doing it, but I’ve left a notification that if anything ever happens, the whole country’s going to get blown up,” Trump announced.
The comments made by the president signify some of the sternest threats he has issued against the Islamic Republic since his return to office.
The interview was conducted by Katie Pavlich, a conservative commentator who recently started her show, Katie Pavlich Tonight. Pavlich had previously spent over a decade at Fox News, contributing to programs with Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and The Five before moving to NewsNation.
The warnings from Trump follow a prolonged period of animosity between the U.S. and Iran, which was partly intensified by the 2020 assassination of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, an action ordered during Trump’s first term. The impact of this strike continues to shape U.S.-Iran relations, with Iran promising retaliation for the general’s death.
Several domestic threats have been made against Trump. An assassination attempt was made in July 2024 at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In September, an armed incident occurred at Trump’s Florida golf course. Although U.S. intelligence agencies maintain that threats from Iran against the president and other American officials continue, there is no public evidence that links Iran to these specific incidents.
During the interview, Trump criticized former President Joe Biden’s approach to Iranian threats, implying that Biden’s response to Tehran’s hostile actions was inadequate.
On February 1, 2026, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any U.S. military strike would trigger a “regional war.” Speaking to a large crowd in Tehran, the 86-year-old supreme leader stated: “The Americans should know that if they start a war this time, it will be a regional war.” He added that Iran does not plan to attack any country but would “deal a heavy blow” to anyone who attacks or harasses Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stated that Iran was “prepared for war” if necessary, though he emphasized Iran was ready for negotiations based on mutual respect.
The conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025 significantly heightened tensions in the Middle East, leading to the involvement of regional powers and prompting the U.S. to deploy an aircraft carrier to the area. This move highlighted Washington’s continuing military presence in the region and its readiness to respond to threats against its interests and allies.
On January 28, 2026, Trump announced that a “massive Armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln was heading toward Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose.” He warned Tehran to “come to the table” and negotiate a nuclear deal, adding that time was “running out” and that failure to reach an agreement would result in an attack “far worse” than the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
When asked about the protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, Trump stated he was not yet prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act. The protests began following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026. The incident sparked immediate nationwide protests, with thousands demonstrating in Minneapolis and other major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. The protests intensified after a second fatal shooting by federal agents on January 24, prompting what organizers called the first general strike in the United States in 80 years, with tens of thousands of participants and hundreds of businesses closing in solidarity on January 30, 2026.
Trump suggested that the Insurrection Act, which allows presidents to deploy domestic military forces to quell civil disorder, rebellion, or insurrection, could still be a possibility for future use. Its application would indicate a considerable escalation in the federal response to domestic unrest and is generally reserved for extraordinary circumstances.
For Pavlich, securing a presidential interview in her first week at NewsNation was a notable achievement. After leaving Fox News, where she had established ties with conservative audiences and Republican officials, this interview underscored her continued access to high-profile personalities. NewsNation is positioning itself as an alternative to traditional cable news channels.
The intensifying rhetoric between Washington and Tehran raises inquiries about whether either side plans to act on its threats or if these public warnings are primarily intended as deterrence. Both the U.S. and Iran are under domestic political pressures to appear strong while avoiding a direct military confrontation that could ignite a broader regional war.
Trump’s approach towards Iran appears to emulate the maximum pressure strategy he adopted during his first presidency, combining economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and military threats. It remains unclear whether this strategy will be more effective in restraining Iran than previous tactics, especially given Iran’s demonstrated willingness to engage in proxy wars and its ongoing expansion of regional influence.