Trump Calls for Iran’s Unconditional Surrender as War Deepens

U.S President Donald Trump on Friday called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” sharply escalating his rhetoric a week into the conflict he launched alongside Israel.

The demand could complicate efforts to quickly negotiate an end to the fighting.

The statement came in a social media post only hours after Iran’s president said several unnamed countries had begun mediation efforts—one of the first indications that diplomatic moves were underway to try to bring the conflict to a close.

“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Trump wrote.

“After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”