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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for the “unconditional surrender” of Iran and warned that the United States could easily carry out an assassination of its supreme leader as Iran and its ally Israel continued to exchange heavy fire for a fifth consecutive day.
“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 said on his Truth Social platform.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” he added, later posting a message saying: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” He said on his Truth social platform.
These statements raised doubts about whether Washington would become involved in Israel’s assaults after asserting that it had no involvement in the operations.
Israeli military jets struck drone and missile facilities with at least two waves of attacks in western Iran on Tuesday, according to the military.
It also reported the killing of senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in an overnight assault on a “command center in the heart of Tehran,” occurring just four days after his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, was killed in Israel’s initial surprise strike.
The latest assaults prompted retaliatory explosions from Iran, with blasts heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, along with air raid sirens sounding around Dimona, a southern town that houses a nuclear power facility. There were no immediate reports of any impacts.
Days after a senior U.S. official indicated that Trump had urged Israel to refrain from plans to assassinate top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the U.S. president seemed to change his stance.
Despite global concern, neither party has relented from the extensive bombardment that began on Friday, when Israel initiated an unprecedented air campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites.
Iranian news outlets reported multiple explosions on Tuesday in Isfahan, a city that hosts nuclear facilities. Blasts were also reported throughout Tehran.
The Iranian armed forces advised residents of Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate “for their safety,” warning of forthcoming “punitive operations.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that they had executed an operation aimed at Israeli air bases.
Civilian areas in both nations have endured fatal strikes since the outbreak of hostilities, and foreign governments have rushed to evacuate their nationals.
According to the Fars news agency, a cyberattack on Tuesday disabled Sepah Bank, one of Iran’s primary state-owned financial institutions.
Many residents have left Tehran amid fears of escalating violence. On Tuesday, long lines formed outside bakeries and gas stations as the remaining residents hurried to gather fuel and essential supplies.
Trump warned on social media late Monday that the entire population of Tehran should evacuate “immediately,” providing no further explanation.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States was sending “additional capabilities” to the Middle East, with reports of a U.S. aircraft carrier heading to the area.
China accused Trump of “fueling” the conflict, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labelled Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu as “the greatest threat to the region’s security.”
