President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Iranian chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he’s an “straightforward goal” and “our persistence is sporting skinny,” earlier than demanding Tehran give up in its escalating battle with Israel.
“We all know precisely the place the so-called ‘Supreme Chief’ is hiding,” Trump wrote on Reality Social.
“He’s a simple goal, however is protected there – We aren’t going to take him out (kill!), no less than not for now,” he wrote after declaring “complete management” over Iran’s airspace.
“However we do not need missiles shot at civilians, or American troopers. Our persistence is sporting skinny.”
Trump in a subsequent put up made clear what he does need from Iran: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Power One after departing early from the the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington, June 17, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
The Trump administration has insisted that the U.S. just isn’t instantly concerned in what Israel referred to as a preemptive strike towards Iran on Friday, which kicked off 5 days of missile hearth between the 2 regional powers.
However Trump’s newest feedback counsel the U.S. is now no less than prepared to threaten direct navy intervention because it backs Israel’s effort to convey Tehran to heel.
The U.S. president’s risk towards Khamenei got here two days after information retailers reported that Trump had vetoed a plan by Israel to assassinate the ayatollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday downplayed his reported disagreement with Trump over Khamenei, saying, “I would not rush to conclusions.”
The New York Instances reported Monday that Trump is weighing whether or not to assist Israel destroy Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, which might solely be completed with the U.S.’ largest “bunker buster” bomb.
The White Home didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for touch upon that report, or on different questions in regards to the newest developments within the Israel-Iran battle.
Iranian Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei addresses the nation on Iranian state tv broadcast in Tehran, Iran on June 13, 2025.
Iranian Chief Press Workplace | Anadolu | Getty Pictures
U.S. shares slid Tuesday afternoon because the geopolitical tensions mounted. The Dow Jones Industrial Common fell greater than 300 factors, or 0.7%, whereas the S&P 500 declined 0.8% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.9%.
Crude oil futures jumped greater than 3% to above $74 per barrel round 2 p.m. ET.
The Pentagon, in the meantime, is shifting extra warships and one other plane provider to the Center East, NBC Information reported Tuesday. The U.S. beforehand deployed navy property to the area to assist Israel shoot down Iranian missiles and projectiles, in accordance with NBC.
Trump is anticipated to carry a gathering within the State of affairs Room on Tuesday afternoon to debate the Israel-Iran battle along with his prime nationwide safety advisors.
On Monday, Trump abruptly returned to Washington, D.C., from Canada, the place he had traveled for a gathering of the Group of Seven nations.
Earlier than he left, Trump criticized the G7 for kicking Russia out of the group in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea.
Trump teed up Tuesday’s risk towards Khamenei with an earlier social media put up declaring, “We now have full and complete management of the skies over Iran.”
Tehran “had good sky trackers and different defensive gear, and loads of it, nevertheless it would not evaluate to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff,'” Trump wrote.
“No person does it higher than the nice ol’ USA.”
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