Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, has hit back at US President Donald Trump. The Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has warned him against making threats and cautioned about his own “elimination”.
In a post on X, Larijani said the Iranian people were not afraid of what he called Trump’s “hollow threats”.
Larijani invoked the ‘spirit of Ashura’, saying that Iran draws its courage from those teachings and will not be intimidated by American pressure.
Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is an important day for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. However, the two communities observe it very differently.
In Iran, the world’s largest Shia-majority country, Ashura is a day of deep mourning. It marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. He was killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
The ‘spirit of Ashura’ refers to resistance against oppression. It also means unwavering faith, moral courage and divine intervention.
“The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats. Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated!” Larijani wrote on Twitter (now
Donald Trump’s threat
Larijani’s remarks follow Trump’s post on Truth Social. The US president warned that Iran would be hit harder if it tried to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. It’s a crucial waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote.
“Additionally, we will take out easily destructible targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” Trump added.
Assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei
The US and Israel launched major air strikes on Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated on 28 February. Several senior commanders and civilians were also killed. Both military and civilian targets were hit, causing heavy casualties.
Iran struck back. It fired waves of missiles and drones at American and Israeli positions across the region.
On 11 March, the military conflict between Israel/US and Iran entered its 12th day. It is unclear how long it will continue.
