Tehran [Iran], June 18: US President Donald Trump warned that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is an "easy target" after urging civilians to evacuate Tehran, fuelling fears of a dramatic escalation in the Middle East as Israel promises further strikes.
"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 wrote on Tuesday on his Truth Social platform. "Our patience is wearing thin," he added.
In a separate post, he wrote simply: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" The assassination threat came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed that major attacks on Tehran would soon take place.
"We will attack very significant targets in Tehran today," he said during a visit to an Israeli site damaged by an Iranian missile.
Late Monday, Trump had posted: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" He cut short his attendance at the G7 summit in Canada to focus on the crisis, and later told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was not seeking a ceasefire but "a real end" to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
"I want to see an end, a real end - not a ceasefire, an end," he said.
Tensions between the regional rivals have exploded following five days of Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military officials, scientists and infrastructure.
Missiles, drones and
mounting casualties
The leadership in Tehran has responded with hundreds of missiles and drones aimed at Israeli targets, prompting fears that Washington could be drawn directly into the conflict to support one of its closest allies.
On Tuesday morning, Iranian state media reported that a new wave of drone attacks on Israel had been launched.
According to the Israeli military, Iran's latest salvo of missiles was intercepted by the Israeli air defence. According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, there were no casualties.
Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, including the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv, in the afternoon.
In Iran, a powerful explosion rang out in a densely-populated northern area of Tehran, witnesses said. The target of the apparent strike was unclear.
Tehran emptying out as fear grips the capital
In the capital city, once-bustling neighbourhoods now resemble ghost towns. Residents have been streaming out of the city, heading toward the Caspian Sea, rural areas or the borders. Videos circulating on social media showed traffic jams on highways leading out of the city.
Supermarkets remain open but largely empty, with reports of power and water outages. Restaurants are shuttered, air conditioning has failed, and temperatures are hovering above 35 degrees Celsius.
Internet access has been heavily restricted.
Israel says Iran has launched fewer missiles in recent days, possibly due to successful Israeli counterstrikes that destroyed dozens of launchers and weapons sites. However, Iranian state media reported fresh drone attacks Tuesday morning.
So far, Israel says 24 of its citizens have been killed and around 600 injured.
In Iran, the casualty figures are censored, but the number of dead and injured is likely significantly higher. Israel has killed some 20 high-ranking Iranian military officers.
Katz said Israel's offensive remained focused on Iran's nuclear programme and vowed continued "heavy blows" until all military objectives are met. "More than 10 nuclear targets in the Tehran area" were on the verge of being destroyed, but did not provide further details. A large explosion heard in northern Tehran on Tuesday afternoon.
He cited the Fordow nuclear enrichment site, a heavily guarded underground complex, as "an issue that will certainly be dealt with." The US president's remarks followed other pointed comments by Katz, who warned 86-year-old Khamenei that he risked meeting the same fate as Saddam Hussein if Iran continued its missile attacks.
"He should remember the fate that befell the dictator of Iran's neighbouring country who acted in this way against Israel," he said, referring to the former Iraqi leader who was toppled by a US-led invasion and executed in 2006.
Netanyahu also recently told US broadcaster ABC that Khamenei's death could bring an end to the current conflict. Khamenei has served as supreme leader since 1989.
The prospect of negotiations has all but evaporated. A sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks was cancelled on Sunday, and Trump's recent rhetoric appeared to close the door on any immediate diplomatic resolution.
Source: Qatar Tribune
