US President Donald Trump said on Friday (6 March) that “there will be no deal with Iran” unless it agrees to “unconditional surrender”, outlining a tough stance as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.
“There will be no deal with Iran short of UNCONDITIONAL surrender!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The US president said that following such developments, the United States and its allies will help restore Iran and restore its economy.
“After that, and the election of a GREAT AND ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we and our many wonderful and very brave allies and partners will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction and make it economically bigger, better and stronger than ever before,” he wrote.
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Trump added that Iran could have a strong future if it follows this path. “IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)'”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran, with ongoing military operations and retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the region.
The United States is quietly moving thousands of people from several Middle Eastern countries as fighting between the US, Israel and Iran intensifies, Trump said Friday, even as Israel expanded its military operations across the region.
In a social media post, Trump said evacuations were underway but gave few details on the extent or locations.
“It’s happening quietly but smoothly,” Trump wrote.
The development comes amid escalating military actions involving Israel, Iran and regional militias, raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Trump demands a role in choosing Iran’s next leader
In remarks a day earlier, Trump said Washington should have a role in choosing Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the early stages of the war.
In a telephone interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump said the United States expected to help influence the selection of Khamenei’s successor.
“We’re going to have to pick that person along with Iran. We’re going to have to pick that person,” Trump said.
In Iran’s political system, the supreme leader is chosen by a panel of religious clerics known as the Assembly of Experts.
Israel has openly said its military campaign aims to topple Iran’s ruling system, while the United States has said it aims to dismantle Iran’s ability to project military power beyond its borders.
Israel steps up strikes in Lebanon and Iran
Meanwhile, Israel expanded the war by launching large-scale airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut.
The Israeli military has ordered an unprecedented evacuation of the entire southern suburbs of Beirut ahead of several waves of airstrikes.
The explosions lit up the night sky over the densely populated area, home to hundreds of thousands of people and believed to be a stronghold of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite militia.
Israel said about 50 warplanes also carried out airstrikes inside Iran, targeting a bunker under Tehran’s destroyed Khamenei compound, which Israeli officials say is still used by Iran’s leadership.
Civilians flee the suburbs of Beirut
The scale of the strikes forced thousands of residents from their homes, with many spending the night outside in central Beirut.
Iran signals possible mediation efforts
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has hinted that diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions may be underway.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said some countries have launched mediation initiatives, but did not identify them.
“Let us be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we do not hesitate in the least to defend the dignity and authority of our country,” he wrote.
Attacks spread across the Gulf
Air defense systems were activated inside Israel to intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones.
Several Gulf states – including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – also reported fresh Iranian drone and missile attacks.
The widening conflict has already claimed heavy casualties in many countries.
Read also | Gulf allies criticize US for not informing them of Iranian attacks: Report
