Trump Calls for Iran’s Unconditional Surrender – NYT

According to the report, on June 17, Trump used social media to call for Iran’s surrender and suggested the potential assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also used the word "we" in reference to Israel’s military actions against Iran. Analysts view this as a clear indication that the U.S. may be preparing to join the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Previously, major media outlets had reported that Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to assassinate Khamenei.

The New York Times noted that Trump’s aggressive statements came at a time when Israel has been pressuring the White House to intervene militarily in order to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Though Trump has long opposed foreign wars and favored negotiated settlements with Iran, his recent tone has taken a more confrontational turn.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested that the U.S. deploy its largest bunker-busting bombs on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility. The site lies deep beneath the surface, and Israel does not possess the bombs or aircraft capable of carrying out such an attack.

"We know exactly where Khamenei is hiding. But we’re not going to take him out (kill!) — at least for now," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump also boasted about Israel’s air superiority, claiming that it was made possible by American technology. "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran," he stated. According to The New York Times, Trump’s use of the word "we" suggests that he sees himself as a partner in Israel’s war effort.

Earlier, Trump told reporters that he wasn’t seeking a mere ceasefire, but rather "something better — a real end, not a ceasefire." Speaking aboard Air Force One, he made it clear that he would not discuss any potential agreement unless Tehran fully abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"I’m not in the mood to negotiate right now," he added.

Additional developments:

Strikes in Tehran and western Iran:

On Tuesday, several strikes were reported in Tehran and parts of western Iran. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a televised briefing that Iran "still retains significant capabilities to cause serious damage."

Mass evacuations from Tehran:

Following orders from the Israeli military to evacuate large sections of northeastern Tehran, evacuations intensified. The military said it planned to strike "military infrastructure" in that area.

Iranian general killed:

Israel claimed that Major General Ali Shadmani, one of Iran’s top military commanders, was killed in an airstrike. He had been appointed just four days earlier to replace another general killed in a prior Israeli strike. Iran has not officially confirmed his death, but Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s military leadership.

Natanz nuclear facility:

According to satellite imagery reviewed by the UN nuclear watchdog on Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes delivered "direct impacts" to Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. This suggests more serious damage than previously estimated.

Internet disruptions:

Internet services across Iran have been severely disrupted. According to local residents and analysts, the Iranian government may be intentionally restricting access to prevent the spread of information about the attacks and to guard against possible Israeli cyberattacks.