United States President Donald Trump on Friday said there would be "no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender" as tensions continued to rise in West Asia. He asserted that Tehran must capitulate before any diplomatic negotiations could begin.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States and its allies, particularly Israel, would only consider an agreement with Iran after the country’s leadership had completely yielded and been replaced by what he described as "great & acceptable leader(s)".
He also spoke of plans to help rebuild Iran after such a surrender, introducing the slogan "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)", echoing his well known political catchphrase.
"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! 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. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!),"" his post read.
The remarks come amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions following a joint US and Israeli military strike on Iranian territory on February 28. The attack reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with several senior figures, prompting a strong response from Tehran.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks across several Arab countries, targeting American military bases and Israeli assets across the region. Israel has also continued its strikes on Tehran and expanded operations to Lebanon, targeting the militant group Hezbollah.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump said he wanted to be personally involved in the selection of Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Khamenei in last week’s US Israel strike, according to a report by Axios.
In an exclusive interview with Axios, Trump said he wanted a role in the appointment of Iran’s next leader. He compared the situation to his involvement in political developments in Venezuela in January following the capture of its former president Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a US military operation.
He also criticised the possibility of the late Iranian leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeding him. Mojtaba is widely seen as a leading contender for the position.
"They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela," Trump said, as quoted by Axios.
Trump described Mojtaba Khamenei as "unacceptable" and said he would prefer a leader capable of bringing "harmony and peace" to Iran. He warned that continuing his father’s policies could trigger further conflict with the United States.
"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," the US President added, according to Axios.
Reports suggest Iranian authorities have delayed announcing a successor after Khamenei’s death, though political signals from Tehran indicate that a decision could be made soon.
Mojtaba Khamenei, a 56 year old cleric believed to have close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is widely viewed as the frontrunner.
However, the Iranian government has denied media reports that Mojtaba has been selected as the next supreme leader. The country’s Consulate General in Mumbai rejected the claims in a post on X on Wednesday.
"Reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied," the consulate said.
According to Axios, Trump also argued that Washington should not accept a new Iranian leader who would pursue policies similar to those of the late Khamenei.
