US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iran's “unconditional surrender” and warned that America's patience was wearing thin, but said he had no plans “yet” to kill the Iranian leader as the air war between Israel and Iran entered its fifth day.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could face the same fate as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who was overthrown in a US-led invasion and hanged in 2006 after a trial.
“I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing his war crimes and missile attacks on Israeli civilians,” Katz told Israel's top military officials.
There were reports of explosions in Tehran and Isfahan in central Iran, while Israel said Iran had fired more rockets at it on Tuesday night, and air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and southern Israel. The Israeli military said it had struck 12 rocket launchers and storage facilities in Tehran.
Trump's social media posts indicate a tougher stance on Iran as he considers deeper US intervention.
“We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We are not going to eliminate him (kill him!), at least not yet… Our patience is wearing thin.”
Three minutes later he posted the message: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Trump’s sometimes contradictory and cryptic messaging about the conflict between close U.S. ally Israel and longtime foe Iran has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the crisis. His public statements have ranged from military threats to diplomatic overtures, as is typical for a president known for his unpredictable approach to foreign policy.
Trump said Monday he may send U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President J.D. Vance to meet with Iranian officials.
People take shelter at the Carmelit underground funicular station in the northern Israeli city of Haifa on June 17, 2025, amid fears of an Iranian missile attack. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
The president noted that his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada had “nothing to do” with the ceasefire talks and that “much more” was expected.
Mr Vance said the decision on whether to take further steps to halt Iran's uranium enrichment programme, which Western powers suspect of seeking to build nuclear weapons, “ultimately rests with the president”.
The UK leader said there were no signs
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
