‘SURRENDER NOW’ Trump ‘considering bombing Iran’ & says he ‘knows exactly where the Ayatollah is hiding but won’t kill him… for now’

DONALD Trump is reportedly considering joining Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites hours after he said the Ayatollah is an “easy target”.

Trump claimed the US and Israel know exactly where Iran’s Supreme Leader is hiding out but he won’t order any assassination plot “for now”.

5 Donald Trump has sent a direct warning to Iran’s Ayatollah saying he is an ‘easy target’ with the US and Israel knowing exactly where he is hiding Credit: AP

5 Trump posted a trio of Truths on the ongoing conflict in Iran Credit: Truth Social

5 Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was warned he could be ousted by his own people like Sadam Hussein Credit: Reuters

5 Iran’s ballistic missiles seen heading towards Tel Aviv Credit: Getty

Israel threatened Khamenei hours earlier saying he will face the same grisly fate as Iraq’s Saddam Hussein who was hanged by his own people if he doesn’t start to negotiate soon.

The threat of regime change came after Trump demanded a “real end” to Iran’s nuclear programme which is the root of the ongoing conflict.

And the US president cranked up pressure on the evil mullah’s crumbling reign by firing a warning as he moved the might of America’s war machine towards the war zone.

The US leader called for an “unconditional surrender” in a trio of Truth Social posts as he told Tehran they have lost complete control of the skies after five days of Israeli airstrikes.

He is now said to be considering allowing for a US strike on Iran, according to multiple current and former administration officials.

The conversation is said to have been top of the agenda during a National Security Council at the White House.

America’s involvement in the Middle East has been widely speculated in the past 24 hours with Trump even ditching the G7 summit on Monday as he urged Tehran to evacuate “everyone”.

The president is said to have rushed back to Washington to convene a meeting in the White House Situation Room over Iran today.

He has refused to specify the endgame, but has ominously warned: “You’re going to find out over the next two days.”

But two Israeli officials have told Axios they believe Trump is likely to enter the war in the coming days.

It follows Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz saying Khamenei should “remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country” – directly referring to the death of Saddam Hussein.

Fanatical Islamist terror stoker Khamenei, 86, and his family are believed to have bolted to a fortified underground hiding place in a suburb of capital Tehran.

He went to ground after swathes of military top brass and nuclear scientists were wiped out in in simultaneous surgical strikes at the start of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion on Friday.

Israel has started to boast it is “on the verge of destroying” at least ten nuclear targets in Iran and could soon attack the mountain-fortress Fordow facility.

The nuclear watchdog confirmed for the first time today it had detected “direct hits” on the key underground enrichment zone of Iran’s Natanz nuclear site.

Israel and Iran have continued to trade missiles today, with Tehran’s civilians fleeing the city in their thousands and a handful of casualties reported by Tel Aviv.

The IDF said it has killed Iran’s most senior military commander – and the person closest to the Supreme Leader – for the second time in five days.

Iran claimed it had hit the HQ of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad – though this has not been confirmed – and repeatedly warned of stepping up missile and drone attacks.

Tension across the Middle East is now skyrocketing as the conflict threatens to spiral into a wider regional war after Pakistan called for the Islamic world to back Iran.

Islamabad even warned they will nuke Israel, a senior Iranian general claimed.

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Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun’s live blog below…

Disruption of oil flows through this narrow strait could hit global economy hard

This image provided by Nasa shows the Strait of Hormuz taken from the International Space Station in September 30, 2003. AP/Nasa

It is estimated that up 20% of global oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch between Oman and Iran. Given its importance as a key oil chokepoint, and the on-going Israel-Iran war, closure of this narrow strait would throw global energy markets into a tailspin, warn energy experts.

The waterway, only 33-km wide at its narrowest, is vulnerable to disruption. And any disruption of the strait would have a huge knock-on global economic consequences. Here’s what you need to know about the Strait of Hormuz:

Where is it? The Strait of Hormuz lies between between the Omani Musandam Peninsula and Iran. Despite being just 33km wide at its narrowest, it’s deep and wide enough to accommodate the world’s largest crude oil tankers. The Strait is deep and relatively free of maritime hazards. Its depth is greatest near the Musandam Peninsula.

Fully-laden very-large crude carriers (VLCCs) could safely navigate through most of the Strait.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz important? The Strait is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints. In 2023, around 20.9 million barrels of oil per day — roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption — passed through it. Beyond oil, it’s also vital for global container trade. Major nearby ports serve as transshipment hubs for cargo bound for the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.

Why are shipping groups avoiding the Strait of Hormuz now? The latest escalation between Israel and Iran, including a surprise Israeli strike on Iran’s military and nuclear sites, has sparked several days of intensifying conflict. This has raised alarms in the shipping industry. Bimco, the world’s largest shipping association, told CNBC that a “modest drop” in vessel traffic is being observed, with some shipowners choosing to avoid the strait entirely due to safety concerns.

How has the Israel-Iran conflict affected freight costs?

Freight rates spiked after the latest Israeli attacks: Tanker freight rates from the Mideast Gulf to China jumped 24% in a single day to $1.67 per barrel, the largest daily increase of 2025 so far.

According to data from Kpler, this highlights the perceived risk in the area. While the war risk premium for insurance hasn’t changed yet, analysts suggest further rate hikes are possible if instability continues.

What’s happening to shipping insurance rates? So far, insurance rates have remained stable.

David Smith, head of marine liabilities at McGill and Partners, noted that although there haven’t been increases yet, things could change fast. “War quotes” are now valid for only 48 hours, allowing insurers to adjust premiums in real time based on risk.

What do shipping companies say about future plans? Hapag-Lloyd, a major German shipping line, described the threat level at the Strait as “significant”, but said there’s no immediate risk to maritime operations. However, the company acknowledged the volatile situation and said it could change “in a very short” time. Hapag-Lloyd also confirmed it has no plans to resume transit through the Red Sea, having avoided the route since late December 2023.

What could happen if the Strait of Hormuz is closed? A closure — even temporarily — could: Cause a global spike in oil prices

Delay shipping timelines significantly

Raise insurance premiums and crew wages

Lead to major rerouting of both oil tankers and container ships

Timeline: Blockade & tension

Major incidents and blockades involving the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways: 1980–1988: Iran–Iraq War (“Tanker War”) What happened: Iran and Iraq targeted oil tankers from each other and third-party countries.

Impact: Over 400 ships were attacked. The US Navy began escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers under Operation Earnest Will.

Effect on Strait: While never officially closed, it was a high-risk zone.

1988: US shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 Date: July 3, 1988

What happened: A US Navy cruiser shot down a civilian Iranian airliner over the Strait, killing all 290 aboard.

Fallout: Intensified US–Iran hostility. Tehran scaled down tanker threats after this event.

2008: US-Iran Naval Confrontation Date: January 2008

What happened: Five Iranian speedboats harassed U.S. warships in the Strait.

Impact: Tensions rose, but no shots fired. A warning of Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping.

2011–2012: Iranian Threat to Close the Strait Trigger: U.S. and EU sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports.

Iran’s response: Threatened to block the Strait if oil exports were stopped.

Result: No closure occurred, but global oil prices spiked. 2019: Tanker Seizures and Attacks May–July 2019 events: Several oil tankers were attacked with mines or drones. The UK seized an Iranian tanker near Gibraltar; Iran responded by seizing a UK-flagged ship in the Strait.

US formed Operation Sentinel: A coalition to protect vessels in the region.

2021–2023: Periodic skirmishes Iran and the U.S. engaged in cat-and-mouse naval games.

Iran occasionally seized or harassed oil tankers over sanction-related disputes. 2024–2025: Israel–Iran escalation 2024–25: Following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Iran mobilised naval forces near the Strait.

June 2025: Shipping groups began rerouting to avoid the area, raising freight costs and global concern — though not a formal blockade.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia have taken 181 people home on government planes from Israel following its conflict with Iran, authorities said on Tuesday.

The two countries are among the first to send evacuation planes to the Middle East since Israel closed its air space Friday after conducting strikes on Iran.

A Czech government plane carrying 66 people landed in Prague on Tuesday morning, while two Slovak planes have taken 115 evacuees to Bratislava over the past two days.

G7 leaders urge ‘de-escalation’ but stop short of calling for Israel-Iran ceasefire

10 hours ago Share Save James Landale and Nadine Yousif BBC News, Kananaskis and Toronto Share Save

Watch: A trade deal, a family photo and conflict in the Middle East – Trump’s short G7

The leaders of G7 nations have urged a “de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza” – but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, during their summit in Canada. The joint statement was signed by US President Donald Trump – who then left the meeting early, his intentions unclear. His press secretary said this was because of events in the Middle East. The president himself merely said he was returning to Washington for “big stuff”, but denied this was related to a ceasefire. He earlier urged Iranians to “immediately evacuate Tehran”. This triggered speculation that US forces might join Israel’s attacks – something denied by American officials.

The gathering of world leaders at Kananaskis, in the Canadian Rockies, has been overshadowed by the Middle East conflict. The leaders’ statement, published as Trump left Canada, said Israel had a right to defend itself, and that Iran was a source of terror that should not have a nuclear weapon. Its call for a resolution of the crisis that led to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East amounted to a diplomatic compromise that preserved G7 unity but watered down the statement’s impact. As he left, Trump told reporters: “I have to be back early for obvious reasons.” He later wrote again on Truth Social, lambasting another G7 attendee, President Emmanuel Macron of France. Trump said his “publicity seeking” counterpart mistakenly suggested he was working on a ceasefire. “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire,” Trump wrote. “Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!” G7 leaders had said they understood Trump’s need to leave early. “If the United States can achieve a ceasefire, that’s a very good thing,” said Macron. Follow all the latest on Israel-Iran conflict

‘Nowhere feels safe’: Iranians on life under Israeli attacks

Israelis survey damage in city hit by Iranian missile Reports circulated that Trump had instructed the White House National Security Council to meet upon his return. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the “deployment of additional capabilities” to the Middle East to enhance the Pentagon’s “defensive posture”, despite US officials’ denial that they were about to join the Israeli offensive. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, was at pains to emphasise that Trump had “a great day” at the summit, saying much was accomplished, including a trade deal between the US and UK. She did not elaborate on his departure other than to say it was because of “what’s going on in the Middle East”. Trump’s exit means he will miss in-person meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that were scheduled for Tuesday, the final day of the summit.

Trump’s encouragement to Iranians to evacuate their capital, Tehran, has been pinned to the top of this Truth Social account. It gives no further information. In the same social media post, Trump suggested that Iran should have signed a deal that he put forward during the most recent talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” he wrote. “I said it over and over again!” Israel’s endgame may be regime change in Iran – but it’s a gamble

Israel-Iran strikes: What are the worst-case scenarios? Shortly after the post, in the early hours of Tuesday, Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran. Hours before, Israel targeted Iran’s state broadcaster, forcing a presenter to flee mid-broadcast. In Israel, air raid sirens wailed in Tel Aviv and an explosion was heard as Iranian missiles targeted the country again.

Moment debris falls in Iran state TV studio after Israeli strikes

There were signs of division earlier at the G7 over conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Iran. Trump had been planning to reject the statement on the Israel-Iran conflict, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News. But the leaders ultimately agreed their statement, released on Monday night local time, which said they “reiterate our support for the security of Israel”. “Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror. We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the statement added. Trump also said at the summit earlier that it had been a “big mistake” for the former G8 to expel Russia from the group in 2014 after it annexed Crimea. “Putin speaks to me,” said the US president. “He doesn’t speak to anybody else… he’s not a happy person about it.” But there was some progress as President Trump formally signed off a UK-US trade deal removing some trade barriers between the two countries. Trump told reporters the UK was “very well protected” from future import taxes. “You know why? Because I like them.”

Israeli paramedics on the ground of missile strike in Haifa

✕ Close ‘I have to be back’: Trump on early G7 summit exit

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Donald Trump’s has warned that the “gloves are off” if Iran were to attack US soldiers in the Middle East, as a bloody conflict between Israel and Iran continues for a fifth day.

“We’ll come down so hard if they do anything to our people,” Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he returned to Washington from the G7 summit. “The gloves are off. I think they know not to touch our troops.”

Mr Trump said his early departure from the G7 summit has “nothing to do with” working on an Israel-Iran ceasefire but is something “much bigger than that”, refuting comments by French president Emmanuel Macron.

He later said on Truth Social: “I have not reached out to Iran for ‘Peace Talks’ in any way, shape, or form. If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table.”

Iran has denied allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons, the pretext upon which Israel began striking Iran on Friday morning. More than 200 people have been killed in Iran and more than 20 in Israel, their respective authorities have reported.