Deborah Akinyosoye
President Donald Trump asserted Tuesday that there is now “complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” though he did not clarify whether he was referring to American or Israeli military operations.
“Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “But it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’”
The remark came as the President called for a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its fifth day.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States was “looking at better than a cease-fire,” adding, “An end, a real end, not a cease-fire… Or giving up entirely. It’s certainly possible.”
Trump also claimed that the U.S. is aware of the exact location of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following reports of a recent proposal from Israel to assassinate him.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” he posted Tuesday. “He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
According to U.S. media citing unnamed officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the option to Trump during a call over the weekend.
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny the proposal.
“There are so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that,” Netanyahu said. “But I can tell you I think we do what we need to do. We will do what we need to do, and I think the United States knows what is good for the United States.”
Civilian death toll rises
Tensions between the two nations have escalated since Israel’s first attack on Iran on Friday, with the civilian death toll mounting.
At least 452 people have been killed in Iran since Israeli strikes began, including 224 civilians and 109 military personnel, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Another 646 have been injured.
HRANA is one of the few independent groups tracking casualties inside Iran. Though banned by the government, it is frequently cited by international rights organizations and the U.N.
In Israel, officials say 24 people have been killed and more than 647 wounded in Iranian attacks as of Tuesday.
U.S. and Iran may meet this week, report says
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may meet this week to discuss a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Israel and Iran, news outlet Axios reported on Monday night.
The meeting is not yet confirmed, but is part of Trump’s effort to deescalate tensions between Israel and Iran while he faces pressure from Israel to join the war.
A U.S. official told Axios that a key bargaining chip for the U.S. is its military’s ability, unlike Israel’s, to bomb Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment facility at Fordow.
Trump said at the G7 summit that his Administration is discussing the possibility of meeting with Iran and reiterated his position that a deal can be made.
The aim of the meeting will likely also involve reaching a nuclear deal, which has been the subject of protracted talks between the U.S. and Iran over the last two months. A scheduled round of negotiations over the past weekend was cancelled by Iran after the attack by Israel.
“I think a deal will be signed,” Trump told reporters at the G7. “I think Iran is foolish not to sign one.”