TEL AVIV: The air conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its sixth consecutive day, with both nations launching fresh missile strikes on Wednesday, even as former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
The Israeli military reported that Iran fired two separate missile salvos at Israel early Wednesday morning, with explosions reportedly heard over Tel Aviv, according to Reuters.
In response, Israel warned civilians in parts of Tehran to evacuate, preparing for targeted airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Iranian media also confirmed blasts in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj.
Trump, in a series of posts on Truth Social, signaled increasing frustration with Iran. He warned that although the U.S. has no immediate plans to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his administration knows his location, Reuters said.
“We’re not going to take him out—at least not for now,” Trump wrote, adding, “Our patience is wearing thin.” Minutes later, he followed up with a blunt post: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
A White House official confirmed that Trump held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, though details of their discussion were not disclosed.
Trump’s unpredictable rhetoric—ranging from military threats to hints at diplomacy—has added to the uncertainty surrounding the escalating conflict. This pattern is consistent with his well-known erratic style in handling foreign affairs.
Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at the G7 summit in Canada (which Trump left early), said there was no indication that the U.S. was preparing to formally enter the conflict.
Trump also convened a 90-minute meeting with his National Security Council on Tuesday to evaluate the situation, according to a White House official, though specific outcomes from that meeting were not released.
In response to the ongoing hostilities, the U.S. is deploying additional fighter jets to the Middle East and extending the missions of others already in the region. So far, American involvement has been limited to defensive measures, including intercepting missiles aimed at Israel, according to three U.S. officials.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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