Iran signals mediation as Donald Trump demands Tehran’s ‘Total Surrender’

2026-03-06 - 16:24

TEHRAN – As tensions surge in Middle East, US President Donald Trump escalated conflict by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” amid ongoing war involving Washington and Tel Aviv. Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” raising the stakes one week into a devastating conflict involving the United States and Israel. In a social media post, POTUS declared that no agreement with Iran would be possible unless the country surrendered completely. He added that once Iran accepts defeat and a “great and acceptable” leadership is installed, the U.S. and its allies would help rebuild the country and restore its economy. The statement came just hours after Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, revealed that several countries have started mediation efforts aimed at ending the war, one of the first signs of possible diplomatic movement since the conflict erupted. Trump’s position appeared even more controversial after he told Reuters that he wants Washington to have a say in choosing Iran’s next supreme leader, replacing Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed on the first day of the war. Israel significantly widened its military campaign. Israeli forces launched heavy bombardments on Beirut, ordering residents to evacuate the entire southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital in an unprecedented move. Iran Signals Peace, But Vows to Fight Aggression Despite escalating violence, Pezeshkian signaled that diplomatic efforts might be underway. In a post on X, he confirmed that some countries have begun mediation, though he did not reveal which ones. “Let’s be clear: we seek lasting peace in the region,” Pezeshkian wrote, “but we will never hesitate to defend the dignity and sovereignty of our nation.” He also insisted that mediation should address those responsible for igniting the conflict. Under Iran’s political structure, the president operates under the authority of the supreme leader. With Khamenei gone, Pezeshkian is currently serving as part of a temporary governing council handling the supreme leader’s responsibilities. Several regional powers including Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and Oman, have offered to mediate since the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes last weekend. However, Iran’s foreign ministry had earlier insisted that the country was focused on defending itself rather than negotiating. US says Iran war could continue for more than two months