U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, demanding “unconditional surrender” and asserting American control over Iranian airspace, while making it clear that the U.S. will not target him—“for now.”
In a series of Truth Social posts addressing the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Trump declared, “Our patience is wearing thin,” and claimed the U.S. had achieved “complete and total control of the skies over Iran.”
Trump said, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He’s an easy target, but safe for the time being—we’re not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we won’t tolerate missiles being fired at civilians or U.S. troops. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The remarks, issued just before a National Security Council meeting at the White House, have further fueled speculation about direct U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Iran Threatens Retaliation
Shortly before Trump’s latest comments, Iran threatened “punitive strikes” against Israel in retaliation for fresh overnight attacks.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance said President Trump had exercised “remarkable restraint,” emphasizing the focus remains on protecting American citizens and military personnel.
“He may ultimately decide to take further action to stop Iranian nuclear enrichment, but that’s his decision alone,” Vance said on X. He also acknowledged public concern about entangling foreign conflicts, criticizing past decades of U.S. foreign policy. “But I believe the president has earned some trust on this issue,” he added.
Israel is reportedly considering a strike on Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility, a move that would likely require U.S.-supplied bunker-buster bombs. Meanwhile, Reuters reported the U.S. has deployed fighter jets to the region to intercept drones and projectiles as part of defensive operations.
Trump Signs G7 Statement After Early Departure
Despite earlier speculation he might abstain, Trump has signed a joint statement from G7 leaders calling for “broader de-escalation of hostilities” in the Middle East. His signature was confirmed just before his early departure from the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada.
Notably, the final version of the statement, now published, omits a previously included line urging both Iran and Israel to show restraint. The Washington Post reported slight revisions were made to the language before release.
The statement affirms Israel’s right to self-defense and declares strong support for its security, while identifying Iran as “the principal source of regional instability and terror.” It also reiterates that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.
While the document stops short of explicitly calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, it encourages that any resolution to the Iranian crisis should pave the way for wider de-escalation in the region, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, Trump told reporters he was aiming for a resolution “much bigger” than just a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
