Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jan 15: Iran has stirred controversy by broadcasting a provocative image of US President Donald Trump, referencing the 2024 assassination attempt against him, alongside a chilling warning that read, “This time it will not miss the target.”

The image, accompanied by a message translated from Persian, was aired on Iranian state television and rapidly spread across social media platforms, intensifying the already heated exchange of rhetoric between Tehran and Washington.

The broadcast comes amid growing friction between the two countries, fuelled by Trump’s repeated warnings that the United States could resort to military action if Iran continues its violent response to widespread protests. The demonstrations have erupted in recent months over worsening economic conditions and increasing public anger toward Iran’s leadership.

Earlier, Trump had issued a sharply worded statement on his Truth Social platform, accusing Iranian authorities of routinely killing peaceful demonstrators. He warned that the US was prepared to intervene if such actions continued, signalling a hardline posture toward Tehran.

The imagery aired by Iranian media alluded to the July 2024 shooting at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman fired at the stage and narrowly missed killing him, grazing his ear. The attack stunned the nation and temporarily disrupted Trump’s campaign activities during the presidential race.

As tensions escalate, international concerns over security in the region have grown. The United Kingdom has temporarily shut down its embassy in Tehran and withdrawn all diplomatic personnel, citing a deteriorating security environment linked to Iran’s crackdown on protests and speculation over possible US military action.

The move follows reports that Washington is weighing potential military strikes against Iran. In a related development, the United States has begun evacuating some personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American military facility in the Middle East, underscoring the seriousness of the unfolding situation.

Together, these developments reflect a rapidly intensifying standoff, raising fears of further escalation in an already volatile region.