❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump issued a warning to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying “we” control the Islamic Republic’s skies, describing the theocrat as an “easy target,” and demanding Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.”
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the statements on June 17, 2025, aboard Air Force One and on Truth Social, following his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada.
💬KEY QUOTE: “He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.” – President Trump.
🎯IMPACT: The comments raise tensions in the already volatile conflict and signal that the Trump administration is increasingly considering direct intervention.
President Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the G7 summit early to return to Washington on June 17, 2025. During the flight, Trump issued a stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling him an “easy target” and demanding Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” in its conflict with Israel.
Trump elaborated on his stance via Truth Social, stating, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”
In a subsequent post, Trump added, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Previously, the President had published a post stating that “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” signalling he is ready to intervene directly in the conflict, rather than only supporting Israel defensively and logistically.
The strong language on Khamenei follows reports that Trump recently vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate the 86-year-old mullah. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the reports of disagreement with Trump over the Ayatollah, stated on Monday, “I wouldn’t rush to conclusions.”
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