Donald Trump is said to be considering US strikes on Iran, according to officials. Writing on Truth Social, the President demanded Tehran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and claimed the US knows where Iran’s supreme leader is “hiding” but that American forces would not kill him “at least not for now”.
A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry has warned American intervention in the conflict would be a “recipe for all-out war”. The fighting has entered its sixth day, and reports suggest Mr Trump is leaning towards green-lighting US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities as escalation fears grow. So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section. Can’t see the poll below? Click here.
The conflict broke out on Friday after Israel launched a series of strikes across Iran, largely targeting Tehran’s nuclear programme and top Iranian generals.
Israel described the attacks as “pre-emptive” and justified them by claiming Iran is close to obtaining nuclear weapons — something Tehran has denied.
Two of Iran’s nuclear sites have been damaged, but the heavily fortified uranium enrichment facility, Fordow, remains unharmed.
The site, about 60 miles south west of Tehran, is buried deep beneath a mountain.
It is thought that the only weapon capable of striking the underground facility is the US’ GBU-57F/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or “MOP”, bomb.
Known as a “bunker buster”, the weapon weighs a huge 30,000lbs and is only possessed by the US.
Mr Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early on Tuesday.
He told reporters aboard Air Force One: “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate with Iran.”
He added he wanted “a real end” and “not a ceasefire”, before later calling for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” on social media.
Israel carried out more strikes overnight on Wednesday, hitting nuclear and missile sites in Tehran.
Iran also launched a small number of missiles, with the Israeli military claiming 10 were intercepted.
Iran has fired around 400 missiles and hundreds of drones in retaliatory strikes since Israel launched its surprise attacks on Friday, but fewer missiles have been launched as the conflict has continued.