Trump Meets With Security Team After Demanding Iran's 'Surrender'

Bloomberg's Dan Williams breaks down the geopolitical context surrounding strikes between Israel and Iran, as the US weighs if it will take an active role.

He also describes life in Israel amid the strikes, comparing it to 'covid with ballistic missiles.'

Israel and the US are ratcheting up pressure on Iran, sparking fresh speculation that Washington could be preparing to join in the attack launched by its closest Middle East ally.

President Donald Trump said he wants a permanent end to Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon, after an early departure from the Group of Seven leaders meeting in Canada spurred questions about whether the US seeks to end the conflict or escalate it.

“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 Truth Social post Tuesday. But he said that “our patience is wearing thin” and moments later sent another two-word post: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

Israel is preparing to intensify its strikes on Tehran on Tuesday, potentially escalating a war that’s seen the sworn enemies trade missile salvos for five days in a row. The US is also weighing whether to expand its involvement.

“Today we will attack very significant targets in Tehran,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said, adding that residents should evacuate. Earlier in the day, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said that, while it’s too early to assess the success of the current campaign in Iran, strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities are “deepening” every day.

“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” Trump posted on social media Tuesday, crediting US military equipment for helping Israel gain air superiority. Reuters reported that the US military was deploying more fighters and other warplanes to the region.

Katz didn’t elaborate on what targets Israel might aim to hit and Trump hasn’t clearly spelled out his next steps. Vice President JD Vance said on X Tuesday that the president has shown “remarkable restraint in keeping our military’s focus on protecting our troops and protecting our citizens” — but added that he “may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment.”

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