The US president champions maximalist war goals as the conflict wreaks havoc across the region amid a rising death toll.
Posted on March 6, 2026
Donald Trump has emphasized that any deal with Iran must result in the country’s “unconditional surrender,” setting maximalist war goals for the United States.
The US president’s remarks on his Truth Social platform on Friday appear to reject the prospect of compromise amid Iranian confirmation of diplomatic mediation to end the conflict.
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“There will be no agreement with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL RESIGNATION!” Trump wrote.
“After that, and the selection of a GREAT AND ACCEPTABLE Leader, we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better and stronger than ever.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier said that some countries are participating in mediation efforts to end the war, stressing that Iran is committed to peace in the region but prepared to defend itself.
“Mediation must address those who underestimated the Iranian people and started this conflict,” Pezeshkian said in a statement on social media.
The conflict has spread throughout the Middle East, sparking Iranian attacks across the Gulf and a war between Hezbollah and Israel, resulting in a mass displacement crisis in Lebanon.
Iran has been launching missiles and drones against Israeli and US interests and assets throughout the region. Iranian forces have also attacked energy and civil infrastructure in Gulf countries, straining ties with the Arab world.
The violence, which saw Iran largely succeed in closing the Strait of Hormuz, has sent global oil prices soaring.
Iranian officials have expressed defiance since the start of the war, emphasizing that they are ready for a long conflict and prepared to defend against a US ground invasion should it occur.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a message to Trump on Thursday that the US plan for a “clean and quick military victory has failed.”
“Their Plan B will be an even bigger failure,” Araghchi wrote in X.
On Friday, Iran’s top diplomat released a photograph of the coffins of a mother and her son, apparent victims of the US and Israeli attacks. “Our brave and powerful Armed Forces will avenge each and every Iranian mother, father and child who has been targeted by hostile forces,” Araghchi wrote.
The war has killed at least 1,332 people in Iran, including 181 children, according to UNICEF.
The deadliest incident was an attack on a girls’ primary school in the southern city of Minab on the opening day of the conflict, in which Iranian authorities said about 180 students and staff were killed.
The Trump administration has pushed to project confidence and dominance over Iran, with senior officials saying the United States would “rain missiles,” “death and destruction” on the country.
In recent days, Trump has emphasized that he would like to replicate Venezuela’s playbook in Iran: maintain the system of government but install a leader who is friendly to American interests.
On Wednesday, Trump said he has to “participate” in the election of the successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack between the United States and Israel on Saturday.
