There is growing speculation that the U.S. will bomb Iranian nuclear facilities after Donald Trump demanded that Tehran unconditionally surrender and threatened Ayatollah Khamenei.
Trump spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he convened a Situation Room meeting with his senior national security officials yesterday afternoon.
Last night, more than 50 Israeli fighter jets conducted operations in Iran, conducting strikes on an Iranian centrifuge facility, a missile production facility near Tehran, and a university linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Earlier on Tuesday, he said Washington knows “exactly” where Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is, saying he is safe “for now” while warning that “our patience is wearing thin.”
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump said in a social media post. “But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
“UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” he said in a follow-up social media post.
The comments came just minutes after Trump claimed to have “complete and total control” of Iranian airspace.
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Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Monday that the U.S. deployed additional military assets to the Middle East, a move he and other senior Trump administration officials have maintained is “defensive” in nature amid speculation that American forces could join Israel’s military campaign.
For its part, Israel says it expects the U.S. to join its ongoing attacks on Iran, local media reported.
A senior unnamed Israeli official said assessments in Tel Aviv indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to approve the involvement of American forces in the strikes on Iran, said Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
“Trump would want to be remembered as someone who took part, not someone who stood by,” he added.
The official said that “without the U.S., we can only inflict limited damage on the Fordow nuclear facility.”
It also reported that Israel is preparing for a potential strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, one of its most fortified and significant sites.
They acknowledged, however, that the quality of the attack will be lower if the U.S. does not join in.
The Israel Hayom daily emphasised the importance of U.S. participation in the offensive, noting that “Israel has targeted most Iranian nuclear sites except the most critical, Fordow, which is buried inside a mountain 90 meters (295 feet) deep.”
It added that only the US possesses the B-2 bomber capable of penetrating and destroying such deeply buried targets. The B-2 is a long-range, multi-role bomber capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.
Responding to Trump’s threats, Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the country will continue responding to Israeli attacks and will never negotiate with Israel.
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,” Khamenei said in a statement on X.
Meanwhile, an Iranian official claimed on Wednesday that an Israeli F-35 fighter jet had been shot down near Tehran, while authorities also said they had destroyed 14 drones allegedly used by Israeli agents in operations across multiple provinces.
Hossein Abbasi, the district governor of Varamin – located just south of Tehran – told state news agency IRNA that the aircraft went down in the vicinity of the city.
“An Israeli F-35 fighter jet was brought down around Varamin,” Abbasi said, adding that security forces had launched an investigation into the incident.
No details were provided about the pilot of the downed jet.
According to Iranian sources, this marks the third Israeli warplane reportedly shot down since Israel launched a major military offensive against Iran last Friday.
Iranian authorities also claimed they had destroyed 14 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) allegedly used by Israeli agents, according to Iranian Police Spokesman Saeed Montazerolmehdi.
Iranian media reported Wednesday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes across Tehran and other populated areas has risen to 585, with at least 1,326 people injured since the attacks started last week.
In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel, resulting in 24 deaths and more than 500 injuries, according to Iranian sources.
At least 94 people were admitted to hospitals in Israel due to injuries from the latest overnight Iranian strikes, Israel’s Health Ministry said Wednesday.
Of those injured, one person is in moderate condition, 85 are classified as having minor injuries, and five are still undergoing medical evaluation with their condition yet to be determined.
Channel 12 reported that the missile strikes caused damage to a building in central Israel and that firefighting teams responded to 20 vehicles that caught fire.
Missile fragments reportedly struck a building in northern Israel, while falling missiles and debris caused many fires in open areas.
Iranians gathered late Tuesday in Palestine Square in the capital Tehran to show support for the country’s leaders and recent military operations against Israel.
The demonstration took place near the residence of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Participants carried Iranian flags and posters of Khamenei while chanting slogans against Israel and the U.S.
Despite threats from US President Donald Trump to “evacuate Tehran,” many families, including those with children, joined the rally.
Police and members of the armed forces were also present at the demonstration.
Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.
Iranian media reported Wednesday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes across Tehran and other populated areas has risen to 585, with at least 1,326 people injured since the attacks started last week.
