US President Donald Trump warned Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday that his life was spared “for now,” amid growing speculation Washington could join Israel’s military campaign.
Trump’s message, posted on Truth Social, revived the prospect of assassination just days after US officials reportedly urged restraint.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding… We are not going to take him out — at least not for now,” Trump declared.
He added: “Our patience is wearing thin,” before demanding “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
The US National Security Council convened Tuesday to weigh Washington’s next move, as Israeli warplanes pounded Iran for a fifth consecutive day.
Strikes hit drone and missile sites across western Iran and reportedly killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani in central Tehran.
Iran retaliated with missile barrages over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, triggering air raid sirens around Dimona’s nuclear plant. No hits were reported.
Explosions rocked Tehran and Isfahan, home to key nuclear facilities, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned civilians in Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate.
Iran also claimed cyberattacks hit Israel, while Sepah Bank, one of Iran’s largest state lenders, suffered a crippling hack.
Fearing escalation, Tehran residents lined bakeries and petrol stations as a US aircraft carrier moved toward the region.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan labelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to regional security.”
Meanwhile, China accused Trump of “pouring oil” on the conflict.
At the G7 summit, world leaders urged de-escalation but underscored that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Since Israel’s surprise campaign began Friday, 24 people have been killed in Israel and over 224 in Iran, including military figures and civilians.
Netanyahu vowed: “We are changing the face of the Middle East.”