President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered one of his most provocative threats yet in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, stating that while the United States knows the precise location of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it will not target him “for now.”
“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 his Truth Social account.
The comment was swiftly followed by a stark message posted just minutes later: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Trump’s remarks come amid mounting speculation over whether the United States will directly join Israel’s military campaign against Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, which has already resulted in significant casualties and destruction in Tehran.
The president also claimed that the U.S. has “complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” a declaration that aligns with Israel’s recent assertions but stops short of acknowledging joint military operations. He emphasized that U.S. patience was wearing thin as Iran continued to fire missiles, including hypersonic weapons, at Israeli targets.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers,” Trump said, warning Tehran to reconsider its course.
Trump flew back to Washington early from the G7 summit in Canada to convene his national security team in the White House Situation Room. Though he has maintained that the U.S. is not formally involved in the war, his statements and military movements suggest that American intervention may be imminent.
The president reiterated that Iran still had a chance to accept a previous offer to curtail its nuclear program, but added he was not inclined toward negotiations.
“I want a real end, not a ceasefire,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
With both Israel and the U.S. signaling readiness for expanded military action, the region faces the gravest risk of full-scale war in decades.
