President Donald Trump outlined his administration’s ultimate goal for the war in Iran on Friday: “unconditional surrender” by the Islamic Republic’s leaders.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that “there will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Following Tehran’s submission to the ongoing military campaign should be “the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s),” Trump said.
Then, the U.S. and its allies will begin the work to “bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”
Trump’s message — coming after days of mixed signals from administration officials — articulates that the U.S. has no intention of providing Tehran with an off-ramp for a deal. It also clarifies the administration’s ultimate aims nearly one full week into a war that has already claimed several American lives, in addition to those of U.S. allies and Iranian citizens.
The post diverges from what the president himself said when he announced the U.S.’ operation against Iran last Saturday. In a video statement at the time, Trump said the administration’s goals were to “destroy” Tehran’s missiles and its missile industry, “annihilate” its navy and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Now, the president has expanded those aims to include regime change.
But after weathering decades of resistance from both within and abroad, the remaining Iranian leaders say they will not capitulate easily to U.S. demands.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on social media earlier Friday that some countries had begun “mediation efforts” and that “we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity & sovereignty.”
He continued: “Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.”