Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” warning that US patience is fading as Israel-Iran conflict enters fifth day of escalation.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding its “unconditional surrender” while warning that America’s patience was “wearing thin” amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel.
As the conflict entered its fifth consecutive day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to assert a more aggressive posture. “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” he wrote. “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now… Our patience is wearing thin.” Just minutes later, he added a terse follow-up: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Trump’s remarks come as explosions were reported in Tehran and the central Iranian city of Isfahan. The Israeli military said it had targeted 12 Iranian missile launch sites and storage facilities in Tehran in response to another round of missile attacks from Iran. Air raid sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv and southern Israel late Tuesday.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also delivered a warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, likening his potential fate to that of Iraq’s former President Saddam Hussein, who was deposed and executed in 2006. “I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and fire missiles at Israeli citizens,” Katz said during a high-level military briefing.
Trump’s tone has oscillated between military threats and diplomatic suggestions. On Monday, he hinted at the possibility of dispatching US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to speak with Iranian officials. However, he denied that his early exit from the G7 summit in Canada was tied to brokering a ceasefire, cryptically stating that something “much bigger” was in motion.
Vice President Vance later said the decision on future US action regarding Iran’s nuclear programme ultimately lies with the president. Western powers continue to express concern that Iran’s uranium enrichment could be part of a covert drive to develop nuclear weapons—an allegation Tehran denies.
Despite the mounting tension, Britain’s prime minister said there was no current indication that the US planned to join the war directly. However, Washington is stepping up its military readiness in the region. According to US officials, more fighter jets are being deployed to the Middle East, and the tours of currently stationed warplanes are being extended. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the deployments as defensive, reiterating that American forces have so far only engaged in intercepting missiles aimed at Israel.
Trump was scheduled to meet with the National Security Council on Tuesday afternoon to further assess the unfolding crisis. The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely watching for signs of either a diplomatic breakthrough or deeper escalation.
