Trump Remains Ambiguous on U.S. Participation in Strikes Against Iran as Khamenei Vows He Won’t Surrender

Latest Developments

Trump Reiterates Call for Regime Surrender: U.S. President Donald Trump remained ambiguous on U.S. participation in ongoing Israeli strikes against Iranian regime targets while briefing reporters on June 18. When asked whether the U.S. military would join strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump replied, “I may do it, I may not do it.” Questioned on his June 17 social media post that he was seeking “unconditional surrender” from the Islamic Republic, Trump reiterated the demand: “Two very simple words … Unconditional surrender. That means, ‘I’ve had it, no more.’”
Fiery Khamenei Refuses Demands From U.S.: In a speech delivered on his behalf by a television presenter, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the Islamic Republic “will not surrender” amid a buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East. “The Iranian nation stands firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace, and this nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition,” he stated. Khamenei also threatened, “the Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly cause irreparable harm to them.” When asked about Khamenei’s comments, Trump said he wished the Supreme Leader “Good Luck.”
Iran’s UN Mission Rejects Trump’s Claims: Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations flatly rejected Trump’s call to surrender. “Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance.” The statement, which echoed Khamenei’s earlier speech, added, “Iran shall respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures.”

FDD Expert Response

“President Trump has given Khamenei fair warning: surrender and dismantle your nuclear weapons program, and perhaps you will not face the total destruction of your regime’s military and economic assets — and even its ability to maintain power — through ongoing Israeli strikes. He would be wise to heed the warning.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“In true authoritarian fashion, Khamenei’s ego, image, and legacy eclipse all else. He would sooner watch Iran unravel than concede failure. Iranians recognized this from the outset, warning that he had plunged the nation into war at their expense. That said, even if the Israelis were to eliminate him, his death would be a catalyst for change, not the change itself. The Islamic Republic rests on multiple pillars, each of which must be dismantled for real transformation to take hold.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst