U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed he was Iran's "number one target", saying he remained in Tehran's crosshairs even as he defended his handling of the conflict and signalled the possibility of further military action.
Speaking to reporters after the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said Iran's leadership had been repeatedly weakened by the conflict.
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"They had leaders, they're gone... Now they have another set of leaders. They may be gone," Trump said.
He then suggested he too was a target for Tehran. "And you know what, I may be gone too, because I'm their number one target."
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Trump's remarks came as fighting between the United States and Iran reignited after a short-lived diplomatic pause collapsed. Earlier in the day, he declared the ceasefire with Tehran effectively "over" and said the U.S. would "probably" launch fresh strikes on Iran later on Wednesday, following Iranian attacks and the breakdown of a temporary agreement.
The renewed hostilities have intensified tensions across the Middle East, with Iran and the U.S. exchanging strikes, commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz facing fresh disruptions, and oil prices climbing sharply on fears of a prolonged conflict.
