US President Donald Trump firmly ruled out any negotiations with Iran on Saturday, emphasizing that the ongoing conflict might only conclude when Iran’s military capabilities are entirely neutralized and its leadership eliminated. Speaking to the press aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested that a sustained air campaign could render diplomatic talks irrelevant if all potential Iranian leaders were removed and the country’s armed forces dismantled. He starkly remarked, “At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say ‘We surrender.’” This blunt statement underscores the administration’s uncompromising stance amid rising hostilities in the region.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and Iran intensified as the Middle East entered its second week of warfare, with both sides exchanging numerous attacks. In an attempt to ease regional tensions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighboring countries affected by Iran’s actions, urging them to refrain from supporting US and Israeli military operations against Tehran. Despite this conciliatory gesture, Pezeshkian dismissed Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender as unrealistic, labeling it a “dream.” He also announced that Iran’s temporary leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless those attacks originated from their territories, signaling a nuanced shift in Iran’s military posture.
However, President Trump interpreted Iran’s apology as a sign of capitulation and warned that the United States might escalate its military response. The Iranian leadership appeared divided over Pezeshkian’s remarks, with some hardliners criticizing the president’s conciliatory tone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation in a televised speech, offering assurances that any members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards who surrendered would be spared harm. In contrast, Ali Ardashir Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, appeared on state television to deny any internal discord among Iranian officials regarding the war’s management, projecting a united front.
On the diplomatic front, Saudi Arabia communicated to Tehran that while Riyadh prefers a peaceful resolution, continued Iranian attacks on Saudi territory and its vital energy infrastructure could compel the kingdom to respond with force. This message reflects the precarious balance Gulf states are trying to maintain amid escalating regional violence. The situation remains volatile, as Iran’s military actions have targeted US bases and allies across the Gulf, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Following Pezeshkian’s controversial apology, Iranian military sources reaffirmed their commitment to retaliate firmly against any attacks originating from US bases in the region. Later, the president reiterated his earlier statements on social media but notably omitted the apology that had sparked backlash from hardline factions, including the influential Revolutionary Guards. Hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai condemned Pezeshkian’s approach as “unprofessional, weak, and unacceptable,” highlighting the internal tensions within Iran’s political and religious establishment. Meanwhile, judiciary chief Mohseni-Ejei, a hardliner and member of the interim supreme leadership council, warned that retaliatory strikes would continue against countries whose territories were used for attacks on Iran.
The military escalation continued as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed drone strikes on the US Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, a critical hub for American air operations in the region. Although independent verification of this attack was unavailable, Iranian state media also reported strikes on an Israeli refinery, prompting air raid sirens in the Haifa area. Fortunately, no significant damage was reported. Additionally, Kuwait’s military confirmed a drone attack targeting fuel storage tanks at Kuwait International Airport, while rockets reportedly struck the US embassy in Baghdad, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to order security forces to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Within Iran, local news agencies cited an Oil Ministry source reporting that fuel depots in three locations, including Karaj west of Tehran, had been hit by strikes. Iranian state media also claimed that the Revolutionary Guards targeted US forces stationed in Bahrain. Explosions were heard in Doha, further illustrating the widespread impact of the conflict across the Gulf region. Tehran’s military response to US and Israeli actions has involved attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting American military installations, escalating the risk of a broader regional war.
Israel, in turn, intensified its military campaign by launching fresh strikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militia, fired across the border. The Israeli government warned Lebanon of severe consequences if it failed to control Hezbollah’s activities. Airstrikes targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, reducing several buildings to rubble. The Lebanese health ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks since Monday had risen to 294. Meanwhile, Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that US-Israeli operations had killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and injured thousands more. Tehran reported large explosions in parts of its capital, Tehran, while Israel claimed to have struck Iranian missile sites and command centers.
Casualties on the US side have also been significant, with at least six American service members killed. Their remains were flown back to the United States, arriving at an Air Force base in Delaware on Saturday. Although there were unconfirmed reports of American soldiers being captured, US Central Command denied any such occurrences. The conflict’s escalating chaos has disrupted global energy markets, driving oil prices to multi-year highs as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. Major oil producers like Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar have reduced output, compounding the economic fallout.
In the midst of this turmoil, hardline clerics in Iran have called for the swift appointment of a new supreme leader. Reports indicate that the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for selecting the next leader, may convene as early as Sunday to make this critical decision. Ayatollah Hossein Mozafari, a member of the 88-person assembly, suggested that the meeting could occur within 24 hours, signaling a potential shift in Iran’s political hierarchy amid the ongoing conflict.
