President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the United States knows the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but does not intend to take any lethal action against him at this time.
In a recent social media post, Trump called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” as tensions continue to mount between Israel and Iran, following a five-day conflict that has seen intense military exchanges.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump wrote. “But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”
The former President’s comments were made against a backdrop of escalating violence, with Israel launching numerous missile strikes that have significantly impacted Iran. Trump engaged in urgent discussions with his national security team after cutting short his participation in an international summit to return to Washington.
The tension has prompted Trump to urge Iran’s 9.5 million residents to evacuate for their safety amid the intensifying conflict.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has indicated he is seeking a definitive resolution and a complete abandonment of Tehran’s nuclear program. He expressed frustration over the lack of an agreement with Iran, stating, “They should have done the deal. I told them, ‘Do the deal.'”
Trump has emphasized, “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” insisting that all diplomatic options must be explored.
Pressed for the reasoning behind his evacuation advice for the residents of Tehran, Trump stated it was driven by a desire for their safety, further asserting that the U.S. is not looking for a ceasefire, but something beyond that.
The recent military conflict has given rise to speculation that Trump is moving towards a more direct American involvement. He indicated that he might send key figures, like Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, for potential discussions with Iranian officials.
Trump’s remarks about a direct approach come amidst tales of American military repositioning in the region, allocating warships and aircraft in case the conflict escalates.
Earlier, reports suggested that Israel had convincingly neutralized Iranian air defenses, thus allowing them to target various strategic locations within Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that military actions will persist until Iran’s nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile infrastructures are thoroughly dismantled.
So far, Israel has honed in on several crucial sites linked to Iran’s nuclear ambitions but has not managed to destroy the Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is located underground, complicating military operations against it.
The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a highly specialized munition, is currently the only known weapon capable of effectively penetrating such deep fortifications; however, Israel lacks the delivery systems required.
Reports indicate that while Israel remains largely unscathed from Iranian retaliation, some missiles have penetrated their defenses, resulting in grave outcomes.
As Trump returned to the White House, he underscored that his administration has not discarded the option of talks with Iran and maintained that Iran must engage in immediate negotiations over its nuclear policy.
Despite the intelligence community’s assessments indicating that Iran is not currently pursuing a nuclear weapon, Trump rejected claims to the contrary, insisting, “I think they were very close to having it.”
Trump’s comments further illustrated the growing division among his supporters regarding the level of American involvement in foreign military conflicts. Prominent figures, including Tucker Carlson, have raised concerns that renewed U.S. military engagement could contradict Trump’s political positions, particularly with his base expecting an end to endless wars.
In response to increasing dissent among his MAGA supporters regarding escalating military actions, Trump took to social media, calling out Carlson, insisting on the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
A notable divide has emerged in the fallout of the conflict, as some of his allies, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, express caution against deeper U.S. entanglement in foreign interventions.
Conversely, other allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, are rallying for a robust U.S. response, advocating that Trump should provide unwavering support to Israel in its operations against Iran.
In a series of statements, Trump reiterated that he is committed to halting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities and suggested that stronger action may be necessary.
While Trump has voiced his desire for peace through strength, the pragmatic realities of military involvement remain a contentious point within his administration and among his supporters.
In conclusion, the future of U.S. involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran hangs in the balance with political risks and public sentiment shaping the decisions ahead.
image source from：https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-says-the-u-s-knows-where-irans-khamenei-is-hiding-but-says-hes-safe-for-now
