Donald Trump has downplayed a direct threat made by a senior Iranian official, brushing off the possibility of a drone strike targeting him at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The warning, issued during a broadcast on Iranian state television, came from Javad Larijani, a key advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Larijani said that Trump “can no longer sunbathe at Mar-a-Lago,” suggesting that a small drone could “hit him in the navel” while he’s lying in the sun. The remark appears to reference the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, which was ordered by Trump during his presidency.
Responding to the threat, Trump laughed off the idea. “It’s been a long time. Maybe I was around seven or so,” he joked, referring to sunbathing. “I’m not too big into it.” He added, “Yeah, I guess it’s a threat. I’m not sure it’s a threat, actually, but perhaps it is.”
The threat follows a recent fatwa from Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, who labeled Trump an “enemy of God.” The senior cleric further warned that any support for Trump by Muslims or Islamic states is “haram,” or religiously forbidden, and said resistance would be “rewarded as a fighter in the way of God.”
Although the U.S. Secret Service does not comment on individual threats, an official confirmed to the Daily Mail that the agency operates in a “heightened and very dynamic threat environment.” They emphasized that the safety of Trump and all protectees remains a top priority.
Trump has been the focus of repeated threats from Iran, especially following the Soleimani strike. In 2024, U.S. intelligence warned of “real and specific threats” against him, prompting enhanced protection. Trump acknowledged the security concerns in a previous social media post: “I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before.”
Ongoing tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Israel have fueled further instability in the region. A recent joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign targeted Iran’s nuclear sites, prompting international concern. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the strikes successful and met twice this week with Trump to discuss the fallout and address the continuing hostage crisis in Gaza.
Despite escalating rhetoric from Iranian officials, Trump’s casual response appears to send a message of defiance and confidence in his security.
