Trump Demands ‘Unconditional Surrender’ From Iran As He Moves Toward U.S. Air Strikes

by Sherry ChenJune 18, 2025, 7:14 pmHome Featured, News >

As the Israel-Iran conflict continues to escalate, President Donald Trump is considering whether or not to involve the U.S. in the conflict. U.S. bombers are needed to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program.

On Tuesday, Trump called a meeting with the national security team to discuss the conflict.

Since the conflict started on Thursday, the two countries have exchanged strikes. Trump previously showed a desire for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Now, however, the president has expressed a greater interest in backing the Israeli military.

Trump wants to find a resolution that would stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but this goal doesn’t seem obtainable without greater U.S. involvement. During the president’s first term, he sought to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon as well; however, he withdrew from the agreement.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social, threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but he is safe there. We are not going to take him out (kill him), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump posted later on the same day, demanding “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” from Iran.

On Wednesday, Khamenei responded to Trump’s comments, stating that he does not plan to surrender to anyone and warned the U.S. against using military forces to intervene in the conflict.

Trump left the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, early over the weekend to return to Washington to hear from advisers over the conflict in the Middle East. Upon returning from the summit, Trump said that he wanted to find “an end, a real end, not a ceasefire.”