Iran-Israel newest: Trump says he is aware of the place Tehran’s Khamenei is hiding and requires ‘unconditional surrender’
Donald Trump has claimed he knows where Iran’s Supreme Leader is hiding and called for “unconditional surrender”, as a bloody conflict between Tehran and Israel continues for a fifth day.
In a social media post on Tuesday, the US president warned “our patience is wearing thin”, adding: “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.”
At least 224 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel, their respective authorities have reported, after a major escalation began when Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear sites and capital of Tehran on Friday morning.
Each day since, both countries have continued to trade blows, attacking major cities and military targets. Thousands have been injured in Iran and hundreds injured in Israel, as residents from both countries evacuate to seek safety abroad.
Earlier on Tuesday, Donald Trump warned that the “gloves are off” if Iran were to attack US soldiers in the Middle East.
Iran has denied allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons, the pretext upon which Israel began striking Iran on Friday morning.
Xi Jinping weighs in on conflict
Chinese President Xi Jinping said he is “deeply concerned” about Israel’s “military action” in Iran while speaking at a summit in Kazakhstan, according to The New York Times.
This marks the first time Xi has publicly commented on the conflict.
Iran saw major internet blackout today
Iran experienced a near-total internet blackout today, according to NBC News.
Internet access went dark around 5:30 p.m. local time. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities restricted internet access on account of cyberattacks from Israel.
The blackout makes it extremely difficult for Iranians to access and share information about the conflict, NBC News reports.
Senator Tim Kaine calls potential U.S. attacks on Iran a ‘catastrophic blunder’
Senator Tim Kaine spoke on the Senate floor earlier today in favor of a resolution that would require Congressional approval before the U.S. could order troops to attack Iran.
Kaine said that “engaging in a war against Iran… would be a catastrophic blunder for this country.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatens ‘strong response
Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei has threatened a “strong response” to Israel in a recent X post.
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime,” Khamenei wrote. “We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
Israel ‘currently’ striking Tehran
The Israeli military said it is “currently conducting” strikes around Tehran, Iran’s capital, according to The New York Times.
U.S. embassy in Israel closed through Friday
The U.S. embassy in Israel will be closed Wednesday through Friday, according to a security alert from officials.
“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20),” the embassy said in a statement. “This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. There will be no passport (emergency or regular) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad services.”
Israeli officials warn residents to seek shelter again
Israeli officials are warning residents to seek shelter for the second time in an hour after Israel’s Home Front Command detected Iranian missiles, according to The New York Times.
Explosions were recently heard over Tel Aviv, Reuters previously reported.
Trump’s chilling warning to Iran: we won’t kill supreme leader – for now
Donald Trump has warned Iran to make a deal “before there is nothing left” and issued a chilling threat: he knows where the supreme leader is hiding but “we are not going to take him out, at least not for now”.
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Source: independent.co.uk
