Trump calls Khamenei 'easy target,' says 'we' control Iran's skies

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a direct warning to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, labeling him an “easy target” should Tehran retaliate against US interests in the region.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

“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,” Trump said.

His direct threat to Khamenei marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric five days into Israel’s military campaign against Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. Minutes later, Trump called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” in another social media post.

Trump reportedly vetoed a recent Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, the 86-year-old leader who has final say over all matters in Iran. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 , Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi described the reporting as “fake news.”

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Iran since Friday, targeting the country’s military leaders and nuclear scientists as well as its uranium enrichment sites and ballistic missile launchers. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it killed Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani, an Iranian commander appointed just days earlier to replace a general killed on the first day of the strikes.

“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” Trump said Tuesday.

Trump has not ruled out American military participation in Israel’s campaign, telling ABC News as recently as Sunday that “it’s possible” the United States will get involved. Only the US military possesses bunker-busting bombs that are believed to be capable of penetrating Iran’s underground enrichment facility at Fordow.

After urging Iranians to “immediately evacuate” their capital Monday night local time, Trump departed the G7 summit in Canada earlier than planned. On his way back to Washington, Trump told reporters he is “not too much in the mood to negotiate” with Iran.