US President Donald Trump, while speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) during the Davos Summit 2026 in Switzerland, said that the United States will not use force to take Greenland. Trump stated that only America can protect the mineral-rich island, which is at the centre of escalating geopolitical tensions with Europe. Speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the US President also said that we are booming but Europe is "not heading in the right direction", as per the PTI. Trump, in his 70-minute-long speech at the WEF, asserted, "I have tremendous respect for the people of Greenland and Denmark, but only the US can secure Greenland." Trump launches attack on NATO allies President Trump also launched a blistering attack on NATO allies on a range of issues, including tariffs, the environment and immigration, reported PTI. While staking claims over the region, the US President emphasised, "We fought for beautiful Denmark, which is not a land but a big piece of ice, cold and poorly located. It is a very small task compared to what we have given them for many, many decades. We were stupid to give it back," as per PTI. "People thought I would use force. I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force," he added. Trump said that Greenland, which is a Danish territory, has a strategic location between the US, Russia, and China. Trump further remarked, "The US needs it for strategic reasons, not for rare earth minerals." Donald Trump says, ‘Only US can protect Greenland’ While putting out a strong yet a very controversial remark, the US President said that only the US can protect Greenland, and many European nations have also acquired territories; there is nothing wrong with it. He asserted, "We were a powerful force when we saved Greenland and gave it to Denmark after World War II, but we are much more powerful now," as per PTI. Trump also called for immediate negotiations for the US to acquire Greenland from Denmark, describing the country as ungrateful, during his speech at Davos. Donald Trump also spoke on the US' economic strength and global prosperity, saying "the USA is the economic engine of the planet,” as per PTI. While ending his speech at WEF 2026, he added, "When America booms, the entire world booms". (With inputs from PTI)
21 January,2026 10:00 PM IST | Davos | mid-day online correspondentPakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently found himself inaugurating not a defence facility or a development project, but a US-based multinational pizza outlet in Sialkot’s cantonment area. With cameras flashing and floral bouquets being presented, the event initially appeared like a routine official function. However, what seemed like a regular day on the minister’s calendar soon turned into a subject of public ridicule. Within hours of the inauguration, social media users began mocking the spectacle, questioning why the country’s defence minister was presiding over the launch of a fast-food outlet inside a military cantonment. Images and videos from the event quickly went viral, triggering sharp reactions and memes, and fuelling criticism over priorities at a time when Pakistan faces serious economic and security challenges. The incident has since sparked a broader debate on social media about symbolism, optics and the role of senior government officials at public events, turning what was meant to be a routine inauguration into an episode of widespread mockery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mid-day (@middayindia) Just a few hours after Khawaja Asif cut the ribbon at the Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot, social media users went into investigative mode. While the outlet prominently displayed Pizza Hut’s iconic red-roof branding, familiar fonts and taglines, netizens soon noticed something odd. Users quickly discovered that the recently inaugurated Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot’s cantonment area was not listed on the official website of the US-based pizza chain. Within hours, social media was flooded with posts mocking the Defence Minister for inaugurating what was being described as a “fake Pizza Hut store”. Incident unfolds after Pizza Hut issues clarification Pizza Hut Pakistan soon issued a public statement on social media, clarifying that the outlet inaugurated by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was unauthorised. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pizza Hut Pakistan (@pizzahutpakistan) “Pizza Hut Pakistan would like to inform our valued customers that an unauthorised outlet falsely using the Pizza Hut name and branding has opened in Sialkot Cantonment,” the company said. Clarifying further, the company added, “This outlet is not affiliated with Pizza Hut Pakistan or Yum! Brands and does not follow Pizza Hut International recipes, quality protocols, or food safety standards. We have formally reported this matter to the relevant authorities for immediate action.” Social media reaction Video (facepalm): pic.twitter.com/RYuPY0OyLr — MD Umair Khan (@MDUmairKh) January 21, 2026 The clarification itself went viral, giving social media users fresh ammunition. Memes and jokes flooded X, Facebook and Instagram, with quips ranging from “national security now includes pizza security” to “defence minister defending fake franchises". Some users remarked that it was perhaps the first time an international brand had issued a counter-response within hours of an inauguration.
21 January,2026 08:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he had stopped a war between India and Pakistan, while also reiterating his controversial remarks on Greenland, saying the United States needs the territory for strategic reasons. Addressing a packed hall during a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Trump said the US had intervened to prevent conflict between India and Pakistan, as it had done in several other global disputes. “We stopped the war between India and Pakistan, as we did with so many other wars,” Trump said, without elaborating. In the same address, Trump underlined the strategic importance of Greenland, citing its location between the US, China and Russia. He said the US interest in Greenland was driven by national security concerns and not by the presence of rare earth minerals. “Greenland is not land, it’s a massive piece of ice. We need it for strategic reasons, not for the massive amount of rare earth minerals buried under ice,” he said. Trump claimed the US had historically played a key role in Greenland’s security. “We were a powerful force when we saved Greenland and gave it to Denmark after World War II, but we are much more powerful now,” he said. He added that while he had “tremendous respect” for the people of Greenland and Denmark, only the US could ensure the territory’s security. “Denmark is unable to secure Greenland. The United States will secure the people of Greenland. Only the US can protect Greenland,” Trump said. The US President also defended territorial acquisitions, arguing that several European nations had acquired territories in the past. “Many European countries have acquired territories, and there is nothing wrong with it,” he said, adding that parts of Europe were now “unrecognisable”. Davos 2026: Beginning his speech by greeting “so many friends” and “a few enemies” in the audience, Trump launched a sharp attack on Europe, NATO, supporters of clean energy policies and previous US administrations, including former president Joe Biden, whom he referred to as “sleepy”. Trump’s remarks are expected to rekindle debate over India-Pakistan relations as well as sovereignty and security concerns in the Arctic region. Greenland is an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. (With PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 08:22 PM IST | Davos | mid-day online correspondentEuropean leaders have affirmed that they "will uphold" the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark to protect Europe's strategic economic and security interests amid US President Donald Trump's interest in taking over the Arctic island. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on X that she spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss recent tensions. "Together we stand firm in our commitment to uphold the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. We will always protect our strategic economic and security interests. We will face these challenges to our European solidarity with steadiness and resolve," she added in her X post. Following this, US President Trump issued a statement, saying, "NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that 'you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.' Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!" NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke with Trump on Sunday (local time) regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic, amid the US threat to impose a 10 per cent tariff on Denmark and other European Union countries. Rutte said he would meet Trump later this week in Davos. On X, he posted, "Spoke with POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week." Rutte did not share further details of the discussion. Several European countries have released a joint statement showing solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom said that the 'Arctic Endurance' exercise does not pose a threat to anyone and emphasised that the threat of tariffs undermines transatlantic relations and risks a dangerous downward spiral. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland. In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory. He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 07:20 PM IST | Brussels (Belgium) | ANIUS President Donald Trump resumed his trip to the Davos forum in Switzerland early Wednesday after an electrical issue forced his presidential plane to return to its air base. Trump and his entourage changed planes at Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington and took off again shortly after midnight (0500 GMT), about two-and-a-half hours after his initial departure. The American president is on his way to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he is expected to face off with European leaders over his bid to seize Greenland. Air Force One had returned to the base late Tuesday out of an abundance of caution, the White House said, due to what officials described as a "minor electrical issue." Journalists traveling with Trump reported that lights in the cabin went out briefly after takeoff. With its classic blue and white livery, Air Force One is arguably the world's most iconic plane and an instantly recognizable symbol of the US presidency. Trump has long been unhappy with the current Air Force One jets two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft that entered service in 1990 under president George H.W. Bush. Last year, Trump said his administration was "looking at alternatives" to Boeing following delays in the delivery of two new 747-8 aircraft. In May, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accepted a Boeing 747 that the Gulf emirate of Qatar offered to Trump for use as Air Force One. The jet worth hundreds of millions of dollars has raised huge constitutional and ethical questions, as well as security concerns about using an aircraft donated by a foreign power for use as the ultra-sensitive presidential plane. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 01:25 PM IST | Joint Base Andrews, United States | AFPThe world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese operator said, despite persistent safety concerns among residents. The governor of Niigata province, where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located, approved its resumption last month, although public opinion remains sharply divided. After receving the final green light Wednesday, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) said they were "proceeding with preparations... and plan to remove the control rods after 7:00 pm today and start up the reactor". On Tuesday, a few dozen protesters mostly elderly braved freezing temperatures to demonstrate in the snow near the plant's entrance, whose buildings line the Sea of Japan coast. "It's Tokyo's electricity that is produced in Kashiwazaki, so why should the people here be put at risk? That makes no sense," Yumiko Abe, a 73-year-old resident, told AFP. Around 60 percent of residents oppose the restart, while 37 percent support it, according to a survey conducted in September. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world's biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven is restarting Wednesday. The facility was taken offline when Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a colossal earthquake and tsunami sent three reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011. However, resource-poor Japan now wants to revive atomic energy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and meet growing energy needs from artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has voiced support for the energy source. Fourteen reactors, mostly in western and southern Japan, have resumed operation since the post-Fukushima shutdown under strict safety rules, with 13 running as of mid January. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa unit would be the first run by Tokyo Electric power (TEPCO) which also operates the stricken Fukushima Daiichi plant, now being decommissioned to restart since 2011. Nearly fifteen years after the disaster, "the situation is still not under control in Fukushima, and TEPCO wants to revive a plant? For me, that's absolutely unacceptable," said Keisuke Abe, an 81-year-old demonstrator. 'Anxious and fearful' The vast Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex has been fitted with a 15-metre-high (50-foot) tsunami wall, elevated emergency power systems and other safety upgrades. However, residents raised concerns about the risk of a serious accident, citing frequent cover-up scandals, minor accidents and evacuation plans they say are inadequate. "I think it’s impossible to evacuate in an emergency," Chie Takakuwa, a 79-year-old resident of Kariwa, told AFP. On January 8, seven groups opposing the restart submitted a petition signed by nearly 40,000 people to TEPCO and Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority. The petition said the plant sits on an active seismic fault zone and noted it was struck by a strong quake in 2007. "We can't remove the fear of being hit by another unforeseen earthquake," it said. "Making many people anxious and fearful so as to send electricity to Tokyo...is intolerable." Before the 2011 disaster -- which killed around 18,000 people nuclear power generated about a third of Japan's electricity. String of scandals Japan's nuclear industry has also faced a string of scandals and incidents in recent weeks, including data falsification by Chubu Electric Power to underestimate seismic risks. At Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, TEPCO said Saturday that an alarm system failed during a test. "Safety is an ongoing process, which means operators involved in nuclear power must never be arrogant or overconfident," TEPCO President Tomoaki Kobayakawa said in an interview with the Asahi daily. Japan is the world's fifth-largest single-country emitter of carbon dioxide, after China, the United States, India and Russia, and is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. Nearly 70 percent of its electricity in 2023 came from coal, gas and oil -- a share Tokyo wants to slash to 30-40 percent over the next 15 years as it expands renewable energy and nuclear power. Under a plan approved by the government in February, nuclear power will account for around a fifth of Japan's energy supply by 2040 up from around 8.5 percent in the fiscal year 2023-24. Meanwhile Japan still faces the daunting task of decommissioning the Fukushima plant, a project expected to take decades. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 01:24 PM IST | Kariwa, Japan | AFPUS President Donald Trump’s aircraft, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews shortly after takeoff on Tuesday evening while en route to Davos, Switzerland, according to the Associated Press (AP). The unexpected turnaround came roughly an hour after departure, raising questions about the safety and condition of the aircraft used to ferry the American president across the globe. Minor electrical issue detected by flight crew Trump was travelling to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum 2026, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address before global political and business leaders. However, the journey was briefly interrupted after the flight crew detected what the White House later described as a “minor electrical issue," reported AP. White House says decision taken as precaution White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was taken soon after takeoff, emphasising that the move was made purely as a precaution. “Out of an abundance of caution, the crew decided to turn the aircraft around,” she told reporters, adding that there was no immediate threat to the president or passengers on board, reported AP. Press cabin lights briefly went out mid-flight A journalist travelling with the presidential press pool said that the lights in the press cabin briefly went out shortly after departure. While no explanation was provided at the time, reporters were informed around 30 minutes into the flight that the aircraft would be returning to base, reported AP. Trump to travel to Davos on alternate aircraft Trump is expected to continue his trip to Davos on a different aircraft, ensuring that his participation in the high-profile summit remains on schedule. His presence at the forum comes at a sensitive moment, as he faces mounting diplomatic attention following recent remarks aimed at US allies in the European Union, including comments related to Greenland that have stirred debate in international circles. On Thursday, on the margins of the World Economic Forum, Trump will participate in the "Board of Peace Charter announcement", where nations would be invited to sign the charter, joining the body aimed for Gaza's redevelopment under his comprehensive plan to end the conflict. Davos is hosting global leaders and business heavyweights as the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum began January 19 and will run till January 23. Trump's presence at Davos comes amidst tensions between the US and European nations over his push to acquire Greenland and impose tariffs on countries until "a deal" is reached to purchase Greenland. Incident highlights ageing Air Force One fleet The incident has also renewed focus on the ageing Air Force One fleet. The two aircraft currently serving as Air Force One have been in operation for nearly four decades. Aerospace giant Boeing has been working on replacement planes, but the programme has faced repeated delays. Aircraft designed as flying command centres Air Force One aircraft are extensively modified to function as airborne command centres, equipped with advanced communications systems, radiation shielding and anti-missile defences. These features allow the US president to remain in constant contact with military and government officials and to issue orders from anywhere in the world. Qatar-gifted Boeing jet undergoing retrofitting Last year, Trump accepted a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted by the ruling family of Qatar, intended to eventually join the Air Force One fleet. The move drew scrutiny, and the aircraft is currently undergoing extensive retrofitting to meet strict US security requirements. Leavitt even joked to reporters on Tuesday night that the Qatari jet was sounding “much better” at the moment. Air Force One’s long history with US presidents Boeing notes that it has been transporting US presidents since 1943, when Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first commander-in-chief to fly while in office. From the early Dixie Clipper to today’s VC-25A and the future VC-25B, Air Force One remains one of the most powerful and recognisable symbols of the American presidency. (With inputs from Associated Press)
21 January,2026 10:37 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentIran on Tuesday warned Donald Trump not to take any action against the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, days after the US president called for an end to Khamenei's nearly 40-year reign. "Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world," Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesman for Iran's armed forces, said. The comments came after Trump described Khamenei in an interview with Politico on Saturday as "a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people," adding that "it's time to look for new leadership in Iran." Tension between the US and Iran has been high since a violent crackdown by authorities on protests that began over Iran's ailing economy on Dec. 28. Trump has drawn two red lines for the Islamic Republic - the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations. The USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been in the South China Sea in recent days, had passed through the Strait of Malacca, a key waterway connecting the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, by Tuesday, ship-tracking data showed. A US Navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft carrier and three accompanying destroyers were heading west. While naval and other defense officials stopped short of saying the carrier strike group was headed to the Middle East, its current heading and location in the Indian Ocean means its only days away from moving into the region. It would not be first time in recent years that a carrier strike group deployed to the Pacific was moved to the Middle East to address instability in the region. The Abraham Lincoln was rerouted to the Middle East in 2024. Last June, the USS Nimitz strike group was ordered to the region. The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519 people, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Tuesday. The agency has been accurate throughout the years of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities. The Associated Press has been unable to independently confirm the figure. The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 revolution that brought the Islamic Republic into being. Although there have been no protests for days, there are fears the number could increase significantly as information gradually emerges from a country still under a government-imposed shutdown of the internet since Jan. 8. Khamenei said on Saturday that the protests had left "several thousand" people dead and blamed the United States. It was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties. More than 26,300 people have been arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Comments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained being put to death in Iran, one of the world's top executioners. National police chief Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan has said those turning themselves in would receive more lenient treatment than those who don't. "Those who were deceived by foreign intelligence services, and became their soldiers in practice, have a chance to turn themselves in," Radan said in an interview carried by Iran's state television on Monday. "In case of surrender, definitely there will be a reduction in punishment. They have three days to turn themselves in." He did not elaborate on what would happen after the three days. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 10:07 AM IST | Dubai | APA Barcelona commuter train crashed Tuesday after a retaining wall fell onto the tracks, Spanish regional authorities said, killing at least one person and injuring 37 others. The crash in Catalonia in northeastern Spain came just two days after a separate deadly train collision killed at least 42 people in the country's south and injured dozens more. Emergency workers Tuesday were still searching for more victims in the wreckage from Sunday's deadly train accident that took place some 800 km away as the nation began three days of mourning. Emergency services in Catalonia said of the 37 people affected by Tuesday's crash, five were seriously injured. Six others were in less serious condition. Emergency services said 20 ambulances had been sent to the site of the crash, and that the injured were taken to hospitals in the area. Regional firefighters said most of the injured had ridden in the first train car. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez acknowledged the Barcelona area crash, writing on X: "All my affection and solidarity with the victims and their families." While Spain's high-speed rail network generally runs smoothly, and at least until Sunday had been a source of confidence, the commuter rail service is plagued by reliability issues. However, accidents causing injury or death are not common in either. The commuter train crashed near the town of Gelida, located about 35 minutes outside of Barcelona. Spain's railway operator ADIF said the containment wall likely collapsed due to heavy rainfall that swept across the northeastern Spanish region this week. Commuter train service was canceled along the line, it said. Antonio Sanz, the regional health minister of Andalusia, where Sunday's accident occurred, earlier told Spanish media that the official toll from the accident had risen after another corpse was discovered in a severely damaged car. Health authorities said 39 people remained in hospitals on Tuesday morning, while 83 people were treated and discharged. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 08:50 AM IST | Barcelona | APThe White House on Tuesday (local time) released the "365 Wins in 365 Days" document, marking US President Donald Trump's achievement in the first year of his second term. The document also lists Trump's repeated claim of "brokering a ceasefire" between India and Pakistan as one of his key successes under the "Reasserting American Leadership on the World Stage" section. Later, when Trump briefed the press on the completion of one year of governance, he reiterated his claim. However, this time he increased the number of planes that were shot down in the conflict from seven to eight. "I ended eight unendable wars in 10 months. Pakistan and India. They were really going at it. Eight planes were shot down. They were going to go nuclear, in my opinion. The Prime Minister of Pakistan was here, and he said 'President Trump saved 10 million people' and maybe much more than that," he said. Trump has made similar claims many times since May 10 last year, stating that it was his pressure that led to peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours as he makes his pitch for the Nobel Peace Prize. He again expressed his grievance over not winning the Nobel Peace Prize. "Should have gotten the Nobel Prize for each war. But I don't say that. I saved millions and millions of people. Don't let anyone tell you that Norway doesn't control the shots, okay? It's in Norway. Norway controls the shots. That's why I have such respect for Maria, doing what she did. She said, I don't deserve the Nobel Prize. He does," he said. As Trump continuous claims continue, it is worth noting that India has consistently denied any third-party involvement, maintaining that peace was brokered directly between the two countries following India's launch of Operation Sindoor to target terror bases in Pakistan. The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people back in April 2025. According to Indian officials, it was Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) who contacted his Indian counterpart on May 10 to request an end to hostilities. The ceasefire was then agreed upon. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 08:43 AM IST | Washington | ANIUS President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the US will wipe out Iran if the country assassinates him. "I have very firm instructions - anything happens, they're going to wipe them off the face of this earth," Trump said in an interview on NewsNation's "Katie Pavlich Tonight". Iran on Tuesday warned Trump not to take any action against the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, days after the US president called for an end to Khamenei's nearly 40-year reign. "Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world," General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for Iran's armed forces, said. Trump had previously said he's given his advisors instructions to obliterate Iran if the country is behind an assassination of him. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 08:37 AM IST | Washington | APADVERTISEMENT
-1768816054296_d.png "Donald Trump. File Pic")
-1768979691005_d.png "Air Force One seen on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Pic/AFP")
-1768980956357_d.png "The world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on January 21, 2026. Pic/AFP")
-1768969452922_d.png "Iran Warns Trump Over Threats to Supreme Leader Khamenei (left). File Pic")
