U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of the war with Iran ending only if the country no longer has a functioning military or any remaining leadership in power. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated he is not interested in negotiating with Iran at this time and suggested that the ongoing air campaign could make the issue of surrender moot if all potential leaders are killed and the Iranian military is destroyed.

Trump’s Stance on Surrender

“At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say ‘We surrender,'” Trump said. His remarks come as Israel and Iran exchange attacks in the Middle East, marking the second week of the escalating conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to neighboring states for the damage caused by Iran’s actions, but his comments were met with criticism from hardliners within Iran.

Pezeshkian dismissed Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender as “a dream” and stated that a temporary leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless the strikes originated from their territory. However, Trump characterized the apology as a form of surrender.

Iran’s Response and Escalation

Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Ardashir Larijani, denied any divisions among Iranian officials over the handling of the war. Meanwhile, Iranian Major Guards claimed to have targeted a U.S. air combat center at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, according to state media. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

Later that day, Iran’s Major Guards reportedly targeted an Israeli refinery, with air raid sirens sounding in the Haifa area, though there were no reports of destruction. There were also reports of rockets targeting the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordering his security forces to pursue those responsible.

The Associated Press reported that one missile landed on a helicopter landing pad at the U.S. embassy complex, but there were no casualties. In Iran, local news agencies reported that fuel depots in three areas, including Karaj, west of Tehran, were hit by strikes.

Escalation in Lebanon and Regional Tensions

Israel has warned Lebanon of a “very heavy price” if it does not rein in Hezbollah, which has fired across the border into Israel. On Saturday morning, more buildings in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut were reduced to rubble, according to Reuters video footage. The death toll from Israel’s attacks on Lebanon since Monday has risen to 294, according to the health ministry.

According to Iran’s U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, the U.S.-Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands. Huge explosions were heard in parts of Tehran, with Israel claiming it had struck Iranian missile sites and command centers. Iranian attacks have killed 10 people in Israel.

Iranian attacks have also been reported in several Gulf Arab states hosting U.S. military installations. The UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have all reported drone or missile attacks in the past week.

Economic Impact and Regional Consequences

Iran’s apparent strategy of maximum chaos has driven up the costs of the conflict by raising energy prices and disrupting global business and logistics. Kuwait’s national oil company began cutting output on Saturday, adding to earlier reductions from Iraq and Qatar. The war has caused oil prices to hit multi-year highs, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut down.

Trump has suggested the U.S. Navy could escort ships in the Gulf and reiterated his demand for a say in selecting Iran’s new supreme leader, a notion rejected by Iravani. Hardline clerics have called for the swift selection of a new supreme leader, with meetings expected to occur as soon as Sunday.

Ayatollah Hossein Mozafari, one of the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for choosing the next leader, was quoted as saying the assembly could meet in the next 24 hours to decide on the matter.