US president Donald Trump demands the unconditional surrender of Iran

Thursday, March 12, 2026  

Last Friday, United States President Donald Trump demanded the "unconditional surrender" of Iran via his Truth Social platform. The declaration came as the war in Iran had officially gone on for a week.

At the same time, however, separately and not as a condition of the surrender, Trump has also demanded more "acceptable" leadership in the country. According to Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, Trump wished for new leadership in Iran that did not act against the interests of the US.

Trump wrote that then, once the "acceptable" leadership was selected in Iran, the US and its allies would make Iran "economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."

On Saturday, in an address to the nation, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the Trump's demand is a "dream they should send to their grave".

A week ago, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and killed various government officials, including the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, in strikes. In retaliation for the attacks, BBC News reported, Iran has bombed Middle Eastern countries, reportedly those holding US bases, including Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates; as well as US allies Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

In the Saturday address, Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for attacks on 'regional countries', Jakarta Times reported, along with a note that 1,230 people were killed in Iran, and reportedly six US troops.

Leavitt has stated that the war would likely last four to six weeks. Russia was an ally to Iran, BBC News reported.

• Iran Calls US Demand for “Unconditional Surrender” a “Dream to Take to Their Grave” — Jakarta Globe, March 7, 2026
• Trump demands 'unconditional surrender' of Iran as wave of 'broad-scale' strikes hits Tehran — SBS News, 7 March 2026