President Donald Trump has ruled out any possibility of a negotiated settlement with Iran, demanding “unconditional surrender” as U.S. And Israeli forces continue a week-long bombardment of Iranian cities. The statement came as Israel announced a “new phase” in the joint military operation, heavily targeting the capital, Tehran, and areas in Lebanon.
According to Iranian state media, more than 1,200 people have been killed since the attacks began last Saturday. The conflict has triggered a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands have fled their homes due to intense Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
“What the president means is that when he, as commander in chief, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States, and the goals of Operation Epic Fury have been fully realized, then Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Friday. Leavitt further claimed that U.S. And Israeli forces have “completely wiped out more than 50 leaders of the former terrorist regime, including the supreme leader himself.”
The escalation of hostilities follows a decision by President Trump to embrace military action, spurred by a determination from an Israeli leader to end diplomatic negotiations, according to a report in The New York Times. Few of the president’s advisors reportedly voiced opposition to the move.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, U.S. Officials have confirmed that Russia is providing intelligence on U.S. Positions to Iran. This revelation, reported by CBS News, comes as Iran has responded to the U.S.-Israeli operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. Bases, and Gulf nations. On Sunday, Iranian state television confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s airstrikes on Tehran, a claim that has not been independently verified.
The conflict has also had repercussions beyond the immediate region. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. Military base in the Middle East, was hit by a ballistic missile, though no injuries were reported. The U.S. Embassy in Jordan issued a shelter-in-place order, and the Canadian Prime Minister has suggested that the U.S.-Israeli actions may be “inconsistent with international law.”
Sri Lanka has taken custody of an Iranian ship and transferred its sailors to safety, following a deadly torpedo strike on another Iranian vessel by a U.S. Submarine. More than 17,500 U.S. Citizens have returned home since February 28, following the initial announcement of “major combat operations” by President Trump. The first U.S. Evacuation flight has departed the Middle East, though criticism remains regarding the administration’s initial lack of an evacuation plan.
The conflict entered its sixth day with no indication of de-escalation, as Israel intensifies its strike campaign against the Iranian-aligned Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 50 deaths and over 300 injuries in Israeli strikes since Monday.
