President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a dramatic ultimatum to Iran, calling for its “unconditional surrender” and warning that American patience was “wearing thin” amid escalating violence between Iran and Israel.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump struck a menacing tone: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” he posted. “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now… Our patience is wearing thin.” Minutes later, he followed up with a blunt declaration: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

The remarks came as fresh explosions rocked Tehran and the central city of Isfahan. Israel confirmed it had launched strikes on 12 Iranian missile sites and weapons depots in response to ongoing Iranian rocket fire. Air raid sirens sounded again in Tel Aviv and southern Israel late Tuesday.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz escalated tensions further, issuing a direct threat to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and fire missiles at Israeli citizens,” Katz said, comparing Khamenei’s potential fate to that of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, who was deposed and executed in 2006.

Trump’s rhetoric has fluctuated between threats of force and hints of diplomacy. On Monday, he floated the idea of sending either U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to engage in talks with Tehran. However, when asked about his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump denied it was related to a ceasefire initiative, cryptically stating that “something much bigger” was underway.

Vice President Vance emphasized that any major decision on Iran would rest solely with the president. Meanwhile, Western governments remain concerned that Iran’s uranium enrichment activities may be part of a covert effort to build nuclear weapons—an accusation Iran continues to deny.

While the U.S. has not joined the conflict directly, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said there is currently no indication that Washington plans to enter the war. Still, American military readiness is intensifying. According to Pentagon officials, more fighter jets are being dispatched to the Middle East, and existing deployments are being extended.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the moves as precautionary, stressing that U.S. forces remain focused on intercepting missiles aimed at Israel and are not seeking direct engagement—at least for now.