As tensions continue to rise between Israel and Iran, former President Donald Trump declared that the United States knows the exact location of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but is choosing not to target him—for now. Trump made the statement during a social media post on Tuesday, calling for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” as the conflict between the two nations stretched into its fifth day.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump said. “He is an easy target but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”
These strong remarks came as Trump abruptly ended his trip to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in the Canadian Rockies, returning early to Washington for urgent national security meetings. He had already taken a hardline tone by advising the residents of Tehran—more than 9 million people—to flee the city as the violence escalated. The warning came just after Trump claimed the United States had secured full air dominance over Tehran in a separate post.
Behind the scenes, Trump had reportedly rejected a proposal by Israel to assassinate Khamenei. A U.S. official familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israeli officials presented a credible plan to eliminate the Supreme Leader. However, Trump and his administration declined, fearing it would dramatically escalate the situation and destabilize the broader region.
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US Reconsiders Its Role as Israel Seeks Knockout Blow
Trump’s return to the White House coincided with a pivotal moment in the conflict. Israel, after five days of relentless missile strikes, has caused significant damage to Iran’s infrastructure and now believes it is close to permanently degrading Tehran’s nuclear program. Israeli leaders argue that with limited assistance from the United States—such as the provision of bunker-busting bombs capable of destroying deeply buried Iranian nuclear facilities—they could end the threat for good.
However, further American involvement would bring substantial political risk to Trump. Although expressing a desire to see a “complete give-up” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, he showed reluctance about continuing negotiations. “They should have done the deal. I told them, ‘Do the deal,'” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. “So I don’t know. I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful energy purposes. U.S. intelligence agencies have also concluded that Tehran is not actively working to build a nuclear weapon.
Nonetheless, Trump continues to build a public case for a more direct American role. U.S. military assets—including warships and aircraft—have been repositioned in the region in case the Israel-Iran conflict further spirals. Meanwhile, the State Department has launched a special task force to assist U.S. citizens looking to leave Israel and other countries in the Middle East. Although no formal evacuations are planned, there are approximately 700,000 Americans in Israel, many of whom hold dual citizenship, as well as thousands more in other regional nations, including Iran.
Calls for Diplomacy and Conflicting Intelligence Reports
During the G7 summit, Trump raised eyebrows when he posted a message urging civilians to “immediately evacuate Tehran.” When asked about it later, he clarified: “I just want people to be safe.”
Trump did not rule out the possibility of pursuing a diplomatic resolution. He floated the idea of sending Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to engage in talks with Iranian officials.
He also pushed back against testimony from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who stated earlier this year that Iran was not actively developing a nuclear bomb. “I don’t care what she said,” Trump said. “I think they were very close to having it.” Gabbard dismissed the discrepancy, blaming the media for distorting her words and asserting that “President Trump was saying the same thing that I said.”
Israel’s Request for US Firepower and the Deepening Divide
Israeli forces claim they have crippled Iran’s air defense systems and are now capable of targeting key sites across the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that strikes would continue until both Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its missile program are eliminated. While several Iranian nuclear sites have already been attacked, the highly fortified Fordo uranium enrichment facility remains untouched due to its deep underground location.
To destroy it, Israel would need the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a weapon only the United States possesses and can deliver via the B-2 stealth bomber. Israel lacks both the bomb and the necessary delivery system.
While Israeli defenses remain mostly intact, some Iranian missiles have breached the country’s protection, causing casualties.
Rift Within Trump’s Base Over Military Involvement
Trump’s aggressive posture toward Iran has stirred debate among his MAGA base. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has argued that deeper U.S. engagement would betray Trump’s earlier promise to avoid entangling the country in costly, protracted wars.
Trump fired back with a pointed message: “Somebody, please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that’ IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'”
Other conservative allies, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, have also expressed reservations. They argue that Trump was elected on a platform of military restraint and that expanding involvement in the Middle East could alienate voters who supported him to end wars, not start new ones.
On social media, Vice President JD Vance defended Trump’s approach, saying the administration had made it clear that Iran must end uranium enrichment and that this outcome would occur “the easy way or the ‘other’ way.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, has taken a different stance—calling for full U.S. support to Israel and for Trump to seize this opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The Conflict Grows While Trump Walks a Political Tightrope
Trump’s remarks and actions suggest a mounting pressure point in the unfolding Middle East conflict. While Israel pushes for complete military victory, the former president must balance support for a key U.S. ally with the promises he made to American voters. As speculation swirls over the next steps, the world watches whether the United States will remain in the background—or take center stage in one of the most volatile regional crises in recent memory.
