Iran’s Khamenei in hiding rejects Trump’s demand for surrender

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON,— Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is said to be hiding in a secure underground bunker in eastern Iran, has rejected a demand from U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran’s full and unconditional surrender.

The statement was broadcast on state television Wednesday, as pressure grew between the two countries and the U.S. considered possible military action.

Trump, speaking outside the White House, said his patience with Tehran was limited but did not confirm whether the United States would join Israel’s ongoing air offensive. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t,” the president said. “Nobody really knows what I’ll do.”

The president said Iranian officials had made contact to explore possible talks, even mentioning a meeting at the White House. “They reached out. But it’s very late to be talking now,” Trump told reporters. “Unconditional surrender means I’ve had enough.”

When asked about Khamenei’s refusal to comply, Trump simply responded, “Good luck.”

In Iran’s capital, Tehran, heavy traffic clogged the highways as thousands of residents tried to leave the city following reports of intensified Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said its latest wave of bombings destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s national police. Iranian state media did not immediately comment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement Wednesday evening claiming Israeli forces were making steady progress toward disabling Iran’s strategic capabilities.

“We are moving step by step,” Netanyahu said. “We now control the skies above Tehran. We are hitting the regime with tremendous force—its nuclear sites, missile bases, and command centers.”

Netanyahu also thanked Trump for standing by Israel in what he described as a crucial phase in regional security. “President Trump is a great friend of Israel. We are in ongoing coordination,” he said.

Khamenei, 86, made his remarks during a recorded speech aired on state television, marking his first public message since the conflict escalated last Friday. He warned that any American military action would result in severe consequences.

“Any intervention by the United States will bring irreparable harm,” he said. “Those who know Iran and its people understand that this nation does not surrender under threats.”

Political analyst Henase Karim told iKurd News that Khamenei doesn’t have many options left. “The real question now is whether he will escape to Russia, Qatar, or Oman — or end up like Hamas leader Sinwar,” Karim said.

President Trump’s approach in recent days has swung between offering negotiations and issuing threats. On social media, he made remarks about targeting Khamenei and publicly demanded “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” from the Iranian leadership.

A source familiar with internal White House discussions said the administration was actively considering military options, including direct support for Israeli operations targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, testifying before a Senate panel, stated the Pentagon was fully prepared to execute any orders from the president.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a sharp rebuke to Trump’s comments on X. “Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” it said. “No Iranian official has ever asked to kneel at the gates of the White House.”

The statement continued: “The only thing more pitiful than his threats is his fantasy of eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader.”

The Israeli military said 50 warplanes struck around 20 sites in Tehran overnight, including factories and storage facilities connected to missile production. Authorities warned civilians in specific parts of the city to evacuate as further strikes were expected.

Israeli airstrikes conducted last Friday killed 20 senior Iranian military figures.

(With files from Reuters)