U.S. President Donald Trump, in his second non-consecutive term, escalated rhetoric against Iran on Saturday, branding the Islamic Republic as "THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST" in a fiery post on Truth Social. The statement comes as the punishing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran enters its eighth day, with Trump warning that Tehran would face severe strikes later today unless it surrenders unconditionally.
Trump's post highlighted what he described as Iran's recent apology and surrender to its Middle East neighbors, attributing the shift to relentless U.S. and Israeli attacks. "Iran has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore," Trump wrote. "This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack."
He claimed this marks the first time in "thousands of years" that Iran has "lost" to surrounding Middle Eastern countries, positioning the development as a historic defeat for Tehran.
The president recounted an exchange where neighboring countries allegedly thanked him for the outcome. "They have said, 'Thank you President Trump.' I have said, 'You're welcome!'" Trump continued, emphasizing Iran's diminished status: "Iran is no longer the 'Bully of the Middle East,' they are, instead, 'THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,' and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!"
In a stark escalation, Trump issued a direct threat: "Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behaviour, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time."
He suggested that additional Iranian officials and previously off-limits targets could now be in the crosshairs, without specifying details.
