Smoke after an air raid on the Iranian capital Tehran.Image: keystone
03/07/2026, 07:0203/07/2026, 07:02
Around a week after the start of the American-Israeli attacks on Iran and the counterattacks by the Iranian military, both sides appear to be intransigent. US President Donald Trump ruled out an agreement with Tehran to end the conflict. Instead, he calls for “unconditional surrender,” as he wrote on his Truth Social platform. He also renewed his claim to have a say in the selection of the future leadership in Iran.
He later elaborated on his demand in a telephone conversation with the US news portal Axios: “An unconditional surrender could mean that (the Iranians) announce this. But it could also mean that they can no longer continue fighting because they no longer have anyone or anything to fight with,” he said. US government spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that if Trump determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the US and the objective of the operation has been fully achieved, then this would essentially be an unconditional surrender.
Israel: surprise attack phase ended
The Israeli side said the attacks were moving into a next phase. “In this phase, we will further dismantle the regime and its military capabilities,” said Israel’s Chief of General Staff Ejal Zamir, according to military sources. Since last weekend, Israel’s air force has carried out around 2,500 attacks in Iran in the now completed “surprise attack phase”, gained air sovereignty and destroyed more than 60 percent of the ballistic missile launchers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised further intensification of the attacks.
Report: Rubio expects war to last several weeks
According to a media report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumes that the war in Iran will last several more weeks. He told Arab foreign ministers this in a series of phone calls, as the Axios portal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Rubio said the current focus of attacks is on Iran’s missile launchers, stockpiles and factories. Meanwhile, the Pentagon repeatedly emphasizes that it is prepared for a longer war. “We have no shortage of ammunition,” said Defense Minister Pete Hegseth.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: War will last several more weeks.Image: keystone
Merz warns of uncontrollable consequences
The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of uncontrollable consequences if the war lasted for a long time. “A permanent continuation of this war would not be in our interest. The same also applies to the possible collapse of Iranian statehood or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian soil,” said the CDU leader. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul fears new refugee movements towards Europe. “The situation created by the war is partly dramatic,” said the CDU politician. “That’s why we have to make sure that many internally displaced people don’t create a new wave of refugees.”
Spain calls Iran war a “serious mistake”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded again to US President Trump’s sharp attacks and described the Iran war as a “serious mistake”. “I believe that between allied countries it is good to help when you are right and also to point out when you are wrong or make a mistake, which is the case here,” said Sánchez. He once again accused Israel and the USA of breaking international law with their attacks on Iran.
Bunker of the supreme revolutionary leader attacked
Meanwhile, Israel’s army said it attacked the underground military bunker of the slain head of state and religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The underground complex is located beneath government buildings in the center of the capital Tehran, the Israeli military said. The attack further weakens “the regime’s leadership and control capabilities.”
New wave of Iranian missiles on Israel
Iran’s armed forces say they fired a new wave of rockets at Israel. This was reported by Iranian state broadcasting and the Tasnim news agency, which is close to the powerful Revolutionary Guards. Rocket alarm was triggered in Israel. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia also reported attacks from Iran. A total of eleven people have been killed in Israel as a result of the war so far. More than 1,200 people are said to have died in Iran since Saturday, as Iranian media reported, citing a state foundation. There have also been several deaths in Iranian attacks in the Gulf states.
Missile alert: people in Tel Aviv in bomb shelter.Image: keystone
Exchange of blows with Hezbollah in Lebanon
There was also an exchange of blows with rocket fire and bombings between Israel’s armed forces and the Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. After there had already been heavy Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut during the night, they were again the target of bombardments in the morning. Rockets also flew towards Israel from Lebanon. According to authorities, over 200 people have died in Lebanon so far. “We will not lay down our arms and will not leave the battlefield,” Hezbollah said in a statement. “Our vow is to the pure blood of the martyr Imam Ali Khamenei.” (sda/dpa)