Israel-Iran air war rages on as Trump demands surrender

Missile strikes between Iran and Israel intensified on Wednesday as their air war entered a sixth day, despite a call from former U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

The Israeli military reported two waves of Iranian missile attacks early Wednesday, with explosions heard over Tel Aviv. In response, Israel urged residents near Tehran to evacuate ahead of targeted strikes on Iranian military sites. Explosions were also reported in Tehran and Karaj.

Trump issued several statements on social media, warning that U.S. patience was running out. He claimed to know the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said, “We are not going to take him out, at least not for now.” Minutes later, he posted: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

A White House official confirmed Trump had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and held a 90-minute security meeting about the conflict. U.S. officials said additional fighter jets are being deployed to the Middle East, although current involvement remains defensive.

Meanwhile, Iranian leadership has suffered heavy losses. Several top military advisers to Khamenei were killed by Israeli airstrikes, causing internal chaos. In response, Iran’s cybersecurity command banned officials from using mobile phones. Iranian media also reported that Israel had launched a “massive cyber war” against Iranian infrastructure.

Since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Iran’s regional influence has diminished. Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian-backed groups across Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key Iranian ally, has reportedly been ousted.

The current Israeli air campaign, its largest ever against Iran, began Friday. Israel claims Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies the charge, citing its rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Israel, not a party to the NPT, is widely believed to possess nuclear arms.

Israeli forces reportedly struck enrichment halls at the Natanz nuclear facility, and Israel now claims control of Iranian airspace, with plans to escalate. However, without U.S. participation, deeply buried sites like Fordow may remain beyond reach.

Casualties continue to rise, with Iran reporting 224 deaths, mostly civilians, and Israel reporting 24. Mass evacuations are underway in both countries. Global oil markets remain on edge after strikes hit critical sites, including the South Pars gas field shared by Iran and Qatar.