US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of any negotiated settlement with Iran, stating that the United States would accept nothing less than the country's unconditional surrender. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump laid out what he described as the United States' clear objective in the ongoing conflict.
"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," Trump wrote.
The statement marks one of his most direct remarks since the conflict began on February 28 and effectively shuts down diplomatic efforts that several countries had been attempting in recent days.
Also Read | Did Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei label OpenAI's Trump praise 'dictator-style'? Leaked memo sparks storm
Call for leadership change in Tehran
Trump also suggested that any future reconstruction of Iran would depend on a change in the country's leadership. In his post, he indicated that a new leadership structure should emerge following a surrender.
He wrote that after Iran capitulates there must be "the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)".
The comment signals Washington's intention to have a role in determining who leads the country in the future.
Iran is currently without a supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the strikes on February 28. In the meantime, the country is being governed by an Interim Leadership Council while the Assembly of Experts — the clerical body responsible for selecting the supreme leader — faces pressure to appoint a successor.
According to an Iranian lawmaker, a new supreme leader could be announced within days.
'Make Iran great again'
Trump concluded his post with a message about rebuilding the country after the conflict, echoing a phrase similar to his political slogan.
"We, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before," he wrote.
Also Read | How much is Kristi Noem worth after her DHS exit? Exploring how rich she is
He ended the message with the phrase: "IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).'"
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that several countries have been attempting to mediate between the two sides. However, he indicated that Tehran does not see itself as the party responsible for the escalation.
"The target of mediation should be those who started the fire by underestimating the Iranian people," he said.
