‘Unconditional surrender’: Trump warns Tehran, says Khamenei is in our sights, but we’re holding fire for now

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he is currently choosing not to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, although he claimed the U.S. has the ability to do so. Trump also issued a stern demand for Iran's “unconditional surrender.”

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump posted. “He's an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

"But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin," he added.

Shortly afterward, Trump posted in all caps: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"

These statements came after Trump abruptly ended his visit to the G7 summit and called on 9.5 million Iranians to evacuate certain areas. The warnings came as Israel continued its relentless military campaign, striking Iranian targets for five consecutive days. The offensive has reportedly inflicted heavy damage, and with U.S. backing, Israeli forces could potentially cripple Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Early Tuesday, a visibly exasperated Trump said aboard Air Force One that he wants a definitive resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict, emphasising that a mere truce isn’t enough. "I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire. We're looking for better than a ceasefire."

"They should have done the deal. I told them, 'Do the deal," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. "So I don't know. I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate."

However, he did not entirely rule out diplomacy. Trump mentioned he might dispatch Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to open talks with Tehran.

Trump also rejected the evaluation made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about Iran's nuclear intentions, insisting instead that Iran is "very close" to acquiring a nuclear weapon. In March, Gabbard testified that Iran halted its nuclear weapons programme in 2003 and has not restarted it.

Trump, however, dismissed her assessment outright. “I don’t care what she said,” Trump told reporters. “I think they were very close to having it.”