Iranian Leader Says 'The Battle Begins' As Trump Pushes 'Unconditional Surrender' (Live)

Forbes

6 hours ago

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning to Israel in a social media post early on Wednesday, saying 'the battle begins,' a few hours after President Donald Trump directly threatened him and demanded an 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,' triggering speculation about U.S. military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
In a statement on his main X handle, Khamenei said, 'In the name of Haidar, the battle begins.'
The Iranian leader followed that up with a post on his official English language account saying: 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime...We will show the Zionists no mercy.'
Trump reportedly talked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening, following a meeting with security officials, according to Axios.
Trump warned on Truth Social earlier Tuesday: 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding,' referring to Khamenei, who is increasingly isolated after Israel assassinated several of his top generals.
Trump said Khamenei is 'safe' and 'we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' adding 'our patience is wearing thin.'
'We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,' Trump said in an earlier post, writing that 'Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured stuff. Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA.'
In a third post Tuesday morning, Trump called for an 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!'
On Monday, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One on the way back to the U.S. from the summit in Canada he wanted to see an end to Iran's nuclear program and said he's 'not too much in the mood to negotiate now.'
Trump also warned Iran against targeting U.S. personnel or assets, saying if that happens 'we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off...I think they know not to touch our troops.'
Trump attacked French President Emmanuel Macron on Truth Social, describing him as 'publicity seeking' after he said Trump was flying out of the G7 summit early to work out a cease fire between Israel and Iran and 'then kick-start broader discussions.' Trump said Macron 'has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire,' and claimed it was something 'Much bigger than that.' Trump departed the G7 Summit early and returned to Washington on Monday night to 'attend to many important matters,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Trump said earlier on Monday evening: 'Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON…Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' The president then blamed the situation on Iran's refusal to sign 'the 'deal' I told them to sign,' and added: 'What a shame, and waste of human life. When asked about the post, Trump said: 'I want people to be safe…That's always possible something could happen. I just want people to be safe.' It came after Israel's military issued evacuation warnings impacting around 330,000 people in the Iranian capital as it struck some parts of the city—including the main compound of Iran's state broadcaster, which was captured in a live show.
In a post on X, Leavitt said Trump was leaving the summit early 'because of what's going on in the Middle East.' Shortly before he left Canada, the president told reporters Iran 'want to make a deal, and as soon as I leave here, we're going to be doing something. But I have to leave here.' Fox News reported on Monday evening that Trump had asked his national security to be present in the Situation Room when he returns to the White House.
A U.S. official told reporters earlier on Monday Trump would not sign a draft statement of G7 leaders, which included a call for de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict. The president eventually agreed to sign it after some changes were made to the statement's 'initial draft language,' according to the New York Times. The final statement notes: 'We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.' The statement affirms Israel's 'right to defend itself,' describes Iran as the 'principal source of regional instability and terror,' and notes 'Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.' It also calls for a resolution of the ongoing crisis and 'a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a cease fire in Gaza.'
In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled he was open to talks resuming talks with the U.S. if Israel's strikes on Iran were halted. 'If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential. Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue. It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy,' he wrote. The post also attacked Netanyahu, calling him a 'war criminal.'
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