Follow Us on Google
From Kenneth Udeh
Amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, US President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of combative posts on social media platform X, claiming “unconditional surrender” and asserting US military dominance over Iranian airspace.
“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran… Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA,” Trump wrote in one of several posts, praising American-made military systems and issuing a direct warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“He is an easy target… but we don’t want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” Trump added, hinting at possible escalations while saying the leader is safe for now.
The remarks came as Trump, currently campaigning for a return to the White House, called for a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran, now entering its fifth day. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasised the need for a permanent resolution, stating, “We’re looking at better than a ceasefire… A real end, not just a ceasefire.”
Although reports suggest the US and Iranian envoys may meet later this week to de-escalate the crisis, Trump fiercely denied initiating peace overtures.
“This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS!” he posted on Truth Social Tuesday morning. “If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table. It would have saved a lot of lives!!!”
According to reports, the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could meet to explore a diplomatic solution and possibly restart nuclear negotiations. The proposed meeting follows the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled round of nuclear talks by Iran after Israel launched a surprise attack last Friday.
Death toll mounts amid relentless strikes
Since Israeli strikes began, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 452 deaths in Iran, including 224 civilians and 109 military personnel, with over 600 injured. HRANA, though banned by the Iranian government, is one of the few independent organisations tracking casualties on the ground.
On the Israeli side, 24 people have been reported killed and 647 injured in retaliatory Iranian attacks, according to local authorities.
Trump cuts G7 visit short as U.S. deploys forces
Trump departed early from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, citing urgent developments in the Middle East. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the early departure, saying the president would return for high-level national security meetings.
Other News
As part of its heightened defence posture, the U.S. has deployed over a dozen aircraft to Europe and additional forces to the Middle East. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the move was strictly precautionary, aimed at protecting American personnel and interests.
“We are vigilant. We are prepared,” Hegseth said. “We’re in the region to defend our people and our assets.”
As the U.S., Iran, and Israel inch dangerously close to broader military confrontation, attention is now turning to possible behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Whether the proposed U.S.-Iran envoy meeting materialises and whether it can stop the spiral of violence remains uncertain.
Trump, for his part, maintains that he alone can broker peace.
“We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel and end this bloody conflict,” he said. “They know it.”
Israeli and Iranian strikes hit symbolic targets
The conflict escalated further with precision strikes on sensitive and symbolic targets.
In Israel, an Iranian missile struck a scientific research facility in southern Tel Aviv on Sunday, destroying parts of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Professor Eldad Thazor said his lab studying regenerative medicine was “completely destroyed,” vowing that his team would rebuild.
In a retaliatory move, Israeli forces hit the headquarters of Iranian state TV in Tehran, interrupting a live broadcast as anchor Sahar Emami reported on air. The strike occurred shortly after Israel issued evacuation orders for Tehran’s District 3.
“The regime was unaware that the voice of the Islamic revolution will not be silenced with a military operation,” said a senior official at the Iranian broadcaster.
