The war of words between Washington and Tehran has reignited, with former US President Donald Trump issuing a fierce threat, vowing to "obliterate Iran from the face of the earth" should he be assassinated. This statement has only added fuel to the already simmering tensions and has drawn an equally sharp response from Iran, reflecting the deep-seated animosity between the two countries.

Background to the tension: A legacy of hostility

These mutual threats cannot be understood in isolation from their historical context, particularly during the Trump presidency. In 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and reimposed crippling economic sanctions under a policy dubbed “maximum pressure.” This policy led to a sharp decline in the Iranian economy and exacerbated tensions between the two sides.

Tensions reached a peak in January 2020 with the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in an airstrike in Baghdad. Since then, Iran has repeatedly vowed revenge for Soleimani’s killing, considering Trump and other US officials legitimate targets, which explains Trump’s sensitivity to any potential threats to his life.

Details of the latest threats

In a recent interview with News Nation, Trump, when asked about Iranian threats, said, “I gave very strong instructions, and if anything happens, they will be wiped off the face of the earth.” This statement is a continuation of Trump’s approach, in which he has previously used extreme rhetoric, emphasizing that the United States will not hesitate to respond to any attack on its leadership.

In response, Iran issued a swift rebuttal through the spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, who asserted that “Trump is well aware of the seriousness of Tehran’s position.” State media quoted him as saying, “If the hand of aggression reaches out to our leader (Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei), we will not only cut off that hand, but we will set their world ablaze and leave them no safe haven in the region.”.

Internal and regional dimensions

These threats coincide with significant internal challenges facing the Iranian regime, as the country has witnessed widespread protests fueled by deteriorating living conditions and social restrictions. In such circumstances, the regime often resorts to escalating its rhetoric abroad to garner domestic support and divert attention from its problems. Authorities have responded to these protests with brutal repression, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests, according to international human rights organizations.

Regionally and internationally, this war of words exacerbates instability in the Middle East and casts a shadow over any future diplomatic efforts, particularly regarding the stalled nuclear negotiations. It also puts US allies in the region on high alert, fearing that any spark could ignite a wider military confrontation with potentially disastrous consequences for all.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted a hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, resulting in the death and injury of a number of Afghan and Chinese citizens. In its statement, the Kingdom reiterated its categorical rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism, affirming its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Afghan people in confronting these criminal acts.

The Ministry offered its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the governments of Afghanistan and China, expressing its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured. This Saudi stance reaffirms its unwavering policy of rejecting terrorism in all its forms and motivations, and its continued call upon the international community to unite its efforts to eradicate this scourge that threatens global security and stability.

Background of the attack and its security context

The attack occurred on Monday at the Kabul Longan Hotel in the Shahr-e-Naw district, a bustling commercial area in the heart of the Afghan capital. The hotel is a popular destination for Chinese nationals and business travelers visiting the country. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack, which is part of a series of attacks by the group aimed at destabilizing Afghanistan and challenging the authority of the ruling Taliban.

Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, ISIS-Khorasan has emerged as the country's most significant security challenge. The group focuses its attacks on religious minorities, Taliban forces, and foreign interests, attempting to demonstrate the current government's inability to maintain security and undermine its potential international relations. This attack follows previous targeting of sensitive sites, including the Russian and Pakistani embassies in Kabul, reflecting a clear strategy by the group to disrupt any attempts at normalization or foreign investment in Afghanistan.

Importance and potential impacts

The targeting of Chinese citizens carries significant implications both domestically and internationally. On the one hand, China, which has kept its embassy open in Kabul, seeks to bolster its economic influence in Afghanistan by investing in its rich natural resources, particularly in the mining sector. This attack sends a direct message to Beijing that its investments and citizens are not immune to danger, potentially prompting it to reassess the extent of its economic involvement in the country.

Regionally, the attack underscores that Afghanistan remains a security challenge for the entire region. Saudi Arabia's condemnation in this context reaffirms the need for a coordinated regional and international approach to support stability in Afghanistan and prevent it from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups. The Saudi position reflects a commitment to regional stability and underscores that combating terrorism requires comprehensive international cooperation that goes beyond security solutions to address the root causes of extremism.