In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to the Iranian government: "Unconditional surrender." The statement, made in all capital letters on Truth Social, follows a week of relentless hostilities between Israel and Iran, drawing in global powers and pushing the Middle East closer to a wider regional war.
Trump claimed that the skies over Iran are now under "complete and total control" by the United States and its allies—a bold assertion that has yet to be independently verified. Nevertheless, the American president’s tone signals a deepening of U.S. involvement in the ongoing military showdown.
From Missile Strikes to Assassinations
The recent conflict was sparked by a series of Israeli strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, including a major uranium enrichment center. These strikes reportedly killed several senior Iranian commanders and scientists in what Tehran has described as an “act of war.” Civilians were also among the casualties.
Iran retaliated swiftly by launching a barrage of ballistic missiles into Israeli territory, hitting key installations and prompting further strikes in return. The back-and-forth has continued for days, with no sign of de-escalation.
Trump Targets Ayatollah Khamenei
In one of his most controversial remarks, Trump directly addressed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming the U.S. and Israel “know exactly” where he is hiding, calling him an “easy target.”
“We are not going to take him out… at least for now,” Trump added, warning that “our patience is wearing thin.”
This statement came just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not rule out the assassination of Khamenei, fueling speculation about a possible targeted killing.
No More Nukes?
Trump also told reporters that he would not settle for a ceasefire. His goal is to see Iran completely abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons. “Not now. Not ever,” he emphasized.
This mirrors Netanyahu’s position. On Monday, the Israeli leader claimed his forces had achieved “air superiority” over Tehran and advised residents to evacuate the city.
Iran Vows to Keep Fighting
Unshaken by the threats, Iran has vowed to continue fighting. Brigadier General Reza Talayi-Nik, spokesperson for Iran’s defense ministry, said on Iranian state TV:
“The enemy cannot sustain a long war… and as it continues, the back of the Zionist regime will be broken.”
He confirmed that Iran had deployed a new class of missiles—previously untested in battle—and claimed that they struck Israeli military intelligence and Mossad facilities in the Tel Aviv region.
“The Zionist regime didn’t even realize it had been deployed,” he added. “They will see more of these surprises.”
U.S. Intelligence Split
Ironically, Trump’s aggressive posture contradicts a March assessment by U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who stated there was “no evidence” Iran was currently pursuing a nuclear bomb and that its nuclear weapons program had been dormant since 2003.
Asked to comment, Trump dismissed her statement outright:
“I don’t care what she said.”
What's Next?
This rapidly unfolding crisis shows no signs of de-escalation. With Iran promising more “surprises,” and the U.S. administration doubling down on demands for surrender, the question now is: How far will this go?
As the skies over the Middle East grow darker with drone swarms, missiles, and fighter jets, diplomacy seems to be evaporating in real-time.
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