Trump threatens Iran’s perfect chief over nuclear program : NPR via NewsFlicks

President Trump returned to the White Space early on June 17, 2025, chopping his time quick on the G7 summit in Canada as a result of he stated he sought after to concentrate on the Iran-Israel struggle.

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Al Drago/Getty Pictures

President Trump escalated his rhetoric in opposition to Iran on Tuesday, issuing a danger on social media in opposition to its Preferrred Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and taking credit score for having “whole and overall keep watch over of the skies over Iran.”

“We all know precisely the place the so-called ‘Preferrred Chief’ is hiding. He is a simple goal, however is secure there — We aren’t going to take him out (kill!), no less than now not for now,” Trump stated in a submit — one in a chain of statements he made prior to assembly along with his nationwide safety group within the White Space Scenario Room in regards to the struggle.

That could be a rhetorical step additional than Trump had long past on Monday. He were requested about whether or not he sought after to peer regime exchange in Iran, and spoke back: “I need to see no nuclear weapon in Iran, and we are neatly on our approach to ensuring that occurs.”

On Tuesday, Trump instructed that Iran would pass a crimson line if it attacked U.S. belongings within the Center East. “We don’t need missiles shot at civilians, or American squaddies. Our persistence is dressed in skinny,” Trump stated.

He had previous advised journalists that he did not assume Iran would strike U.S. belongings within the area as a result of the chance of retaliation. “Oh, we will come down so onerous. In the event that they do anything else to our other people, we will come down so onerous. Then the gloves are off so superbly,” Trump stated. “I feel they know to not contact our troops. We’re going to to find out.”

Folks stand on a rooftop amidst billowing smoke following an overinght Israeli strike in Tehran on June 17, 2025.

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Some lawmakers need to block U.S. army involvement

When Israel introduced its moves on Iran’s nuclear amenities ultimate week, the White Space had sought to shed light on that it was once now not concerned, issuing a remark from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Israel had performed the moves unilaterally.

However on Tuesday, Trump instructed on social media that america was once concerned to a point in any case. “We’ve got whole and overall keep watch over of the skies over Iran,” Trump stated, noting that American apparatus was once getting used.

Some lawmakers are operating to dam any U.S. army involvement within the struggle with out their approval. On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., presented a solution within the Space that might save you Trump from attractive in “unauthorized hostilities” in opposition to Iran with out an particular declaration of struggle or authorization from Congress. The solution was once co-sponsored via Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.. A identical push was once being led within the Senate via Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine.

“The continued struggle between Israel and Iran isn’t our struggle,” Massie stated in a remark. “Even though it have been, Congress should come to a decision such issues in keeping with our Charter.”

As soon as presented, the Space and Senate shall be compelled to vote at the measures. However Republicans were very reluctant to rein in Trump’s energy on different problems and stay publicly divided on Iran. Congress voted to invoke the Warfare Powers Solution in 2020 to constrain Trump’s movements in opposition to Iran all through his first management. Trump vetoed that measure and Congress didn’t override the veto.

Trump on Tuesday referred to as for “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” from Iran — and didn’t point out anything else about negotiating with Iran, which in the past were his focal point. Previous on Tuesday, journalists had requested Trump whether or not he would ship Vice President Vance and his particular envoy Steve Witkoff to barter with Iranian officers.

“Relies on what occurs when I am getting again,” he advised journalists touring with him from the G7 in Canada. “I do not know. I am not an excessive amount of in a temper to barter.”

President Trump and Tucker Carlson talk all through a marketing campaign tournament in Phoenix, Arizona, on Oct. 31, 2024.

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The struggle has divided Trump supporters

Trump has lengthy been recognized for his “The usa First” ethos and non-interventionist stance, campaigning to disentangle america from overseas wars. As Israel’s moves on Iran have intensified, a few of his outstanding supporters have advised him to not become involved within the struggle.

Trump has bristled at one of the complaint, in particular from former Fox Information host Tucker Carlson. “Any individual please give an explanation for to kooky Tucker Carlson that, ‘IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'” Trump posted on his social media platform.

On Tuesday, the White Space circulated a protracted checklist of quotes from Trump over time in search of to turn that he has lengthy held the placement that Iran’s nuclear program should be stopped.

Vice President Vance additionally weighed in on social media, pronouncing Trump had proven “restraint” within the disaster however has the correct to come to a decision to get extra concerned.

“He might come to a decision he must take additional motion to finish Iranian enrichment,” Vance stated. “That call in the end belongs to the president.”