Trump Could Be Targeted Inside White House, Claims Ex-IRGC Commander

TEHRAN — A former senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a provocative threat against United States President Donald Trump, asserting that Tehran possesses the operational capability to infiltrate the White House and assassinate him if deemed necessary. The statement, originally broadcast by the Iranian news outlet Fararu and subsequently highlighted by the New York Post on Monday, 13 July, has added fresh volatility to the already strained relations between Washington and Tehran.

During the interview, the former commander, Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, explicitly stated that if the Islamic Republic prioritised the elimination of Donald Trump, it possesses the intelligence infrastructure and tactical capability to execute the plan directly within the heavily fortified presidential residence. Moghaddam underscored that Iran has both the capacity and the intent to project power if a strategic necessity arises.

Shadows of the Past and Direct Threat

The timing of these remarks is particularly sensitive. Lingering animosity stems from the 2020 US drone strike ordered by Trump, which killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the IRGC’s elite Quds Force. Since that high-profile assassination in Baghdad, senior Iranian political and military figures have periodically renewed vows of absolute vengeance. This rhetoric has kept US intelligence and security agencies on high alert regarding the safety of current and former administration officials.

The explicit mention of infiltrating the White House represents a significant escalation in verbal threats. By framing the operation as logistically viable, Moghaddam seeks to project an image of Iranian intelligence penetration capable of bypassing America’s most secure installations.

The operational threat to target high-profile US leaders directly within Washington highlights the persistent undercurrent of retaliation driving Iran’s geopolitical stance.

Diplomatic Dialogue Versus Strategic Deterrence

Moghaddam also addressed the nature of current diplomatic engagements between Tehran and Washington. He clarified that any ongoing dialogue between the two nations is not intended to cultivate a comprehensive peace treaty or secure a permanent alliance. Instead, he framed the interactions as a calculated tactical measure designed solely to de-escalate immediate military frictions and provide a formal platform for Iran to counter various diplomatic allegations raised by the US.

He emphasised that the Iranian leadership is not approaching negotiations with the Trump administration with an ethos of reconciliation. Rather, the primary objectives remain the robust defence of national rights and the systematic refutation of American accusations. Moghaddam concluded by stating that active military retaliation and the concept of a counter-strike remain viable options on Tehran’s strategic agenda. The White House and US national security agencies have not issued an immediate public response to Moghaddam’s remarks, maintaining their standard protocol regarding non-state and unofficial security threats from foreign nationals.