World

Trump Threatens to Wipe Iran's Regime ‘Off Face of Earth' as Tensions Rise

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to wipe the Iranian regime “off the face of this Earth” if anything were to happen to him.

Trump was responding to taunts and threatening rhetoric emerging from Iran.

He had earlier threatened to strike Iran’s leadership over the regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters in the country, which has killed thousands, and said Tehran had backed down in response.

“They shouldn’t be doing it,” Trump said in an interview with NewsNation that aired Tuesday night, “but I’ve left notification [that] anything ever happens, we’re gonna blow-the whole country’s gonna get blown up.”

Trump added: “I have very firm instructions. Anything happens, they’re going to wipe ’em off the face of this Earth.”

This is a developing article. Updates to follow.

The news cycle is loud. Algorithms push us to extremes. In the middle-where facts, ideas and progress live-there’s a void. At Newsweek, we fill it with fearless, fair and fiercely independent journalism.

Common ground isn’t just possible-it’s essential. Our readers reflect America’s diversity, united by a desire for thoughtful, unbiased news. Independent ratings confirm our approach: NewsGuard gives us 100/100 for reliability, and AllSides places us firmly in the political center.

In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. Ours is different: The Courageous Center-it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.

When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy:

  • Conventional Wisdom: Tracking political winds with clarity.
  • Uncommon Knowledge: Deep dives into overlooked truths.
  • Ad-free browsing and exclusive editor conversations.

Help keep the center courageous. Join today.

Newsweek

This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 2:34 AM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER