Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a direct warning to Israel on social media early Wednesday, stating, “the battle begins.” This message came shortly after President Donald Trump demanded Khamenei’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” raising concerns about potential U.S. military engagement in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.
Khamenei, on his main X account, declared, “In the name of Haidar, the battle begins,” and reiterated, “We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime… We will show the Zionists no mercy.” Meanwhile, Trump was reported to have spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, following discussions with national security officials. Trump warned on Truth Social, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” referring to Khamenei, who has faced isolation after the assassination of several key Iranian generals by Israel.
Trump emphasized Khamenei’s safety, saying, “we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” while stating that “our patience is wearing thin.” He also proclaimed, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” boasting about U.S. military superiority over Iranian defense systems. His call for “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” underscored his aggressive approach.
In comments to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from a summit in Canada, Trump expressed his desire to see an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating that he was “not too much in the mood to negotiate now.” He sternly warned against any Iranian actions against U.S. personnel or assets, stressing that any such moves would lead to a harsh U.S. response: “I think they know not to touch our troops.”
Trump’s early departure from the G7 Summit drew attention, as he dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s claims that he was leaving to negotiate a ceasefire with Iran. In a post, 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. It’s something much bigger than that.”
Earlier Monday, Trump had warned that “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON” and called for immediate evacuations from Tehran, attributing the urgency to Iran’s refusal to sign agreements demanded by the U.S. His comments followed Israeli military actions that prompted evacuation warnings for approximately 330,000 residents in Tehran, targeting areas including the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster during a live broadcast.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Trump left the G7 due to escalating events in the Middle East. Prior to his exit, he had informed reporters that Iran was eager for an agreement and indicated that actions would be taken upon his return to Washington.
In a related development, a U.S. official had earlier stated that Trump would not endorse a G7 leaders’ draft statement advocating for reduced tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict. However, after revisions, he agreed to sign it, which reiterated the commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. The final statement affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, labeled Iran as a major source of regional turmoil, and stressed that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the situation, indicating a willingness to restart discussions with the U.S. provided Israel ceased its military attacks on Iran. He remarked, “If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential. Israel must halt its aggression… It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu.”