Washington, Mar 7: Donald Trump has said there will be “no deal” with Iran unless it agrees to “unconditional surrender,” sharply escalating rhetoric as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Tehran widens following a series of military strikes.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president said Washington would not negotiate with Tehran unless it capitulated completely.
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Trump wrote, adding that after that the US and its allies would help rebuild the country.
“After that… we and many of our allies will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).”
Trump’s remarks came amid intensifying hostilities after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated air and missile strikes on strategic and leadership targets in Iran over the past week.
The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, further fuelling tensions in the region.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and sites in the Gulf region hosting US military forces.
Trump claimed the US military campaign was progressing faster than expected.
“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy, far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before,” he said.
The US president also warned Iranian security forces against resisting American operations.
“They called and asked, we wanna talk, I said you are a bit late. I call on the IRGC, Police, and all to lay down their arms or get killed. Let’s shape a new Iran, a great country with a great future,” he said.
According to Israeli military officials, the campaign has involved about 2,500 strikes and the deployment of more than 6,000 weapons against Iranian targets.
Iranian health authorities said the ongoing hostilities have resulted in more than 1,200 deaths in the country.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran supported peace in the region but would not yield to external pressure.
“We are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity and sovereignty,” Pezeshkian said.
“Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.”
The escalating hostilities have raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with several Gulf countries at risk of being drawn into the war as tensions across the Middle East continue to mount.
