The war involving Iran entered its second week on Saturday with no clear end in sight, as U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” while Israel continued exchanging strikes with Iran and Lebanon.
Trump dismissed reports of possible mediation after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said unnamed countries had begun diplomatic efforts. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said there would be “no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.” He added that the United States and its allies would help rebuild Iran after new leadership is chosen.
Fighting has expanded beyond Iran’s borders, raising fears of a prolonged regional conflict and pushing oil prices higher. Iran has launched attacks on Israel and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases, while Israel has intensified strikes on targets in Tehran and Lebanon.
According to Iran’s U.N. ambassador, U.S. and Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands. Iranian attacks have killed 11 people in Israel and six U.S. service members.
Israel has also escalated operations in Lebanon, striking Beirut’s southern suburbs in what it says is a campaign to dismantle Hezbollah. The escalation has displaced about 300,000 people in Lebanon in recent days.
Global markets have been shaken by the conflict, with oil prices surging as the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly one fifth of the world’s oil supply, remains effectively shut.
Trump has also suggested the United States should have a say in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, a proposal rejected by Tehran, which insists leadership decisions will be made solely by the Iranian people.
Source: Reuters- Maya Gebeily, Humeyra Pamuk and Pesha Magid
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