The conflict involving Iran has intensified as Donald Trump demanded what he called an “unconditional surrender” from the Iranian government to end the ongoing war.
The statement was posted by the U.S. president on the social media platform Truth Social. In his message, Trump wrote that there would be “no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender,” signaling a hard stance from the United States as fighting continues.
The war, which has now entered its second week, involves coordinated military operations by the United States and Israel. Officials say more than 3,000 targets inside Iran have been struck so far. Some of the attacks reportedly targeted major infrastructure, including facilities connected to Tehran’s commercial airport.
According to the White House, the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury aims to remove threats posed by Iran and weaken its military capabilities. Officials say the operation will continue until they believe Iran no longer poses a danger to regional security.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained what the administration means by “unconditional surrender.” She said it does not necessarily require a formal announcement by Iran. Instead, the decision will depend on whether the U.S. president determines that Iran has lost the ability to threaten the region or the United States.
Another controversial point raised by Trump was the future leadership of Iran. The president suggested that the United States should have a role in selecting a new leader for the country after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in earlier strikes.
The statement has drawn strong criticism from Iranian officials. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, rejected the demand and said Iran would never accept foreign interference in its internal affairs.
He stressed that decisions about Iran’s government and leadership must remain solely in the hands of the Iranian people.
The growing tensions have raised global concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Diplomats and analysts warn that continued military action could further destabilize the region.
As the war continues, international leaders are closely monitoring the situation and urging efforts to prevent further escalation.