Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender,’ urges Iranian diplomats to seek asylum

Trump also suggested that Iranian officials are seeking talks while continuing to fight.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump declared that U.S. strikes on Iran will end only if the regime fully capitulates, making clear that Washington is not seeking a negotiated settlement.

Posting on his Truth Social platform today, Trump wrote, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

The president has not set a deadline for ending the military campaign against Tehran. In an interview with Time magazine published late last night, Trump said the administration believes its goals could potentially be achieved within four or five weeks.

At the same time, he stressed that the timeline remains flexible.

“I have no time limits on anything,” Trump said, adding that he wants “to get it done.”

Trump has also indicated that he intends to play a role in shaping Iran’s leadership following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed Saturday along with several other senior Iranian officials during the ongoing conflict.

The president said he wants to be “involved in the appointment” of who will succeed Khamenei as Iran’s next supreme leader.

Trump urged Iranian diplomats stationed abroad to seek asylum and help shape a new government in Iran during remarks Thursday at the White House, while also calling on members of Iran’s security forces to surrender their weapons.

Speaking in the East Room during a ceremony hosting Inter Miami CF, Trump appealed directly to Iranian diplomatic personnel around the world.

“We urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and to help us shape a new and better Iran,” he said.

The president then broadened the message to members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the military and police, warning them to lay down their arms or face death. Trump said those who defect would receive immunity.

The remarks came as the United States continues military operations against Iran alongside Israel.

Trump said Operation Epic Fury, conducted together with what he described as the US military’s “wonderful Israeli partners,” is targeting Iran’s drone and missile capabilities.

“As soon as they set off a missile, within four minutes, the launcher gets hit – they don’t know what’s happening,” Trump said.

Trump also suggested that Iranian officials are seeking talks while continuing to fight.

“They have no air defense. All of their airplanes are gone. Their communications are gone. Missiles are gone. Launches are gone. About 60% and 64%, respectively. Other than that, they’re doing quite well. I said, what’s left? But they’re tough, and they want to fight,” he said.

“And they’re calling. They’re saying, how do we make a deal? I said, you’re being a little bit late, and we want to fight now more than they do.”

Trump added that the United States would ensure that Iran’s future leadership does not threaten Washington or regional countries.

The president delivered the remarks while hosting the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF at the White House.

The team’s players, including Lionel Messi, stood behind him during the ceremony as Trump spoke about the war in Iran.

During the speech, Trump also briefly addressed issues concerning Cuba and Venezuela, saying he intends to finish the war in Iran first but that it would only be a matter of time before “you and a lot of unbelievable people are going to be going back to Cuba.”

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