US President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that he is seeking Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and that Washington is only holding off on assassinating Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “for now.”
Trump’s comments, delivered via social media, suggested a more aggressive stance toward Iran, as he weighs whether to deepen US involvement in the conflict.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there — We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” he added.
Trump, in the opening days of the conflict, rejected a plan presented by Israel to kill Khamenei, according to a US official familiar with the matter.
In a subsequent two-word post minutes later, Trump wrote, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”
Earlier Tuesday, Trump claimed, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” apparently referencing the US-made equipment used by Israel.
“Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American-made, conceived and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA,” he wrote.
Hours earlier, Trump told reporters that the US is “not looking for a ceasefire,” but rather a “real end” to the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program, and that, after two months of talks in which Iran refused to dismantle its program, he is “not in the mood to negotiate.”
“We’re looking for better than a ceasefire,” he told reporters on Air Force One during his overnight flight back to Washington. Asked what would entail, he said, “An end. A real end. Not a ceasefire. An end… Or giving up entirely. That’s okay too.”
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, it’s very simple,” Trump said.
“They should have done the deal. I told them, do the deal,” he said. “So I don’t know. I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”
The remarks from Trump, who huddled with advisers in the Situation Room later Tuesday, came as the US has repositioned warships and military aircraft in the region to respond if the conflict between Israel and Iran further escalates.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, said Trump’s position has not changed, and the forces in the Mideast and Europe are defensive.
