President Donald Trump mentioned Tuesday (June 17, 2025) the US knows where Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding throughout the Israel-Iran battle however doesn’t need him killed “for now.” Trump urged, in a social media posting, Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” because the five-day battle continues to escalate.
“We know exactly where the so-called Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Mr. Trump added. “He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.” Mr. Trump’s more and more muscular feedback in the direction of Tehran come after urging Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to flee for his or her lives as he minimize quick his go to to a world summit to return to Washington for pressing talks together with his nationwide safety group.
Mr. Trump arrived on the White House early Tuesday at a second of selecting in his presidency. Israel, with 5 days of missile strikes, has executed appreciable injury to Iran and believes it may now deal a everlasting blow to Tehran’s nuclear programme — significantly if it will get a little bit extra assist from the Republican president.
But deepening American involvement, maybe by offering the Israelis with bunker-busting bombs to penetrate Iranian nuclear websites constructed deep underground or providing different direct US army help, comes with monumental political danger for Mr. Trump.
Israel-Iran battle LIVE updates
Mr. Trump, as he made his manner again to Washington, expressed frustration with Iranian leaders for failing to succeed in an settlement. He mentioned he was now searching for “a real end” to the battle and a “complete give-up” of Tehran’s nuclear programme.
“They should have done the deal. I told them, Do the deal,’” Mr. Trump informed reporters on Air Force One. “So I don’t know. I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.” Iran has insisted that its nuclear programme is for peaceable functions solely, and US intelligence businesses have assessed that Tehran is not actively pursuing a bomb.
Mr. Trump, who deliberate to satisfy with advisers within the Situation Room, seems to be steadily constructing the general public case for a extra direct American function within the battle. His shift in tone comes because the US has repositioned warships and army plane within the area to reply if the battle between Israel and Iran additional escalates.
Mr. Trump made an early departure from G7 The White House introduced Monday, whereas Trump was on the Group of Seven summit within the Canadian Rockies, that he would minimize his journey quick.
“Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” he wrote on social media. “I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Asked about his evacuation remark aboard Air Force One, Trump informed reporters: “I just want people to be safe.” “We’re looking at better than a ceasefire. We’re not looking for a ceasefire,” Trump mentioned.
Mr. Trump mentioned he wasn’t ruling out a diplomatic choice and he might ship Vice President JD Vance and particular envoy Steve Witkoff to satisfy with the Iranians.
He additionally dismissed congressional testimony from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who informed lawmakers in March that US spy businesses didn’t imagine Iran was constructing a nuclear weapon.
“I don’t care what she said,” Mr. Trump mentioned. “I think they were very close to having it.” Speculation grows that Trump could also be tilting towards extra direct involvement The Israelis say their offensive has eviscerated Iran’s air defences they usually can now strike targets throughout the nation at will. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Israeli bombardment will proceed till Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missiles are destroyed.
So far, Israel has focused a number of Iranian nuclear programme websites however has not been in a position to destroy Iran’s Fordo uranium enrichment facility.
The website is buried deep underground — and to get rid of it, Israel may have the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which makes use of its weight and sheer kinetic power to succeed in deeply buried targets after which explode.
But Israel doesn’t have the munition or the bomber wanted to ship it — the penetrator is presently delivered by the B-2 stealth bomber.
Israel’s personal defences stay largely intact within the face of Iran’s retaliatory strikes, however a few of Tehran’s missiles are getting by and having lethal affect.
The White House dispatched Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for a prime-time TV look as hypothesis grows about whether or not Trump might be tilting towards extra direct US involvement.
Hegseth informed Fox News Channel that “of course” Trump needed to see a deal made to curb Iran’s nuclear programme.
“His position has not changed,” Hegseth mentioned. “What you’re watching in real time is peace through strength and America first. Our job is to be strong. We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that’s what happens here.” Trump continues to push Iran to barter on its nuclear programme Trump, in the meantime, throughout an trade with reporters on the sidelines of the G7, declined to say what it will take for the US to get extra straight concerned. Instead, he continued to press Iran on negotiations over its nuclear programme.
“They should talk, and they should talk immediately,” Trump mentioned throughout a bilateral assembly with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He added, “I’d say Iran is not winning this war.” To be sure, Trump within the days-old battle has sought to restrain Netanyahu. He rejected a plan offered by Israel to the US to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in line with a US official acquainted with the matter, who was not authorised to touch upon the delicate matter and spoke on the situation of anonymity.
The Israelis had knowledgeable the Trump administration in current days that they’d developed a reputable plan to kill Khamenei.
A widening schism over Iran amongst Trump’s MAGA supporters Trump bristled when requested about a few of his MAGA trustworthy, together with conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, who’ve instructed that additional US involvement could be a betrayal to supporters who have been drawn to his promise to finish US involvement in costly and countless wars.
“Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that,’ IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!’” the president wrote on social media.
Other distinguished Trump supporters have additionally raised issues about how far the president ought to go in backing Israel.
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are amongst distinguished Trump World allies who’ve famous that voters backed Trump as a result of he promised to not entangle the nation in international clashes and to be cautious of increasing US involvement within the Mideast battle.
He ran on a promise to shortly finish the wars in Gaza and Ukraine however has struggled to seek out an endgame to both.
But there are additionally Trump backers, together with Sen Lindsey Graham, R-SC, who’re making the case that this is Trump’s second to ship a decisive blow to Iran. Graham is calling for Trump to “go all-in” in backing Israel and destroying Iran’s nuclear programme.
Published – June 17, 2025 10:17 pm IST
