Trump taunts ayatollah, says US knows his location but won’t kill him ‘for now’

Washington Examiner ^ | 6/17/2025 | Brady Knox

[simpson96]

President Donald Trump grew increasingly aggressive in his rhetoric regarding Iran on Tuesday, claiming that U.S. officials know the location of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and leaving the door open to assassinating him in the future.

In a slew of posts on Truth Social, Trump expressed maximalist terms for the Israel-Iran war to end while taunting Iran.

"We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding," he said, referring to Khamenei. "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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

In another post, ostensibly referring to Tehran, the president said, "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"

[Antioch]

Isnt ANYONE going to to question the wisdom of embarking on yet another regime change debacle-this time with a nation of 88 million people - for the benefit of a ethnostate of 8 million in direct contradication to the campaign promise to end forever wars that are sucking the lifeblood out of America? Anyone??

[minnesota_bound]

We will soon be using some Bunker Busters!

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yes, so true. This show is almost over. Khomeini has turned power over to the newbie that they just appointed to head the IRGC. He’s been told to do what he thinks is best.

The army is nowhere to be seen and the IRGC that remain have left the cities and are operating sporadically out in the hinterlands launching a few missiles here and there.

Putin has announced that Russia is withdrawing its support for the regime and will no longer offer refuge to Khomeini.

Crown Prince Reva Palahvi has addressed the Iranian people via video telling them to start comeing out into the streets to take back their country and telling them not to fear what’s going to happen after the regime is gone because there is already a plan in place for the first 100 days. Word is he as the govt in exile will lead a transitional govt to establish protocols for the Iranian people to decide on a form of govt and prepare for elections.

[Billthedrill]

Getting Khamenei to agree to an unconditional surrender would be a big win. And if he makes it clear that he will not do that ... perhaps his replacement will.

That brings up an interesting point. Is Khamenei more valuable alive or dead? Alive, he can sign a surrender and give it whatever legitimization his office still holds. Off him and we have to deal with somebody else - who? And would that individual's signature be considered valid by the country?

Reminds me a little of the considerations with regard to Emperor Hirohito in 1945. Yep, he deserved a noose but it turned out was the only one who could stop the fighting.

But they're a long way from surrender in Iran. Too many people who know what might - would - happen to them if they give up power. This thing's a long way from over.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

But they're a long way from surrender in Iran. Too many people who know what might - would - happen to them if they give up power.

 

The way to strip those gears is for the people to go just ahead and start setting up their own order - from the current and evolving circumstances that's looking inevitable anyway. Commence organizing order on their own to keep the lights & water on, the garbage picked up, stores open and so forth. That act alone serves to bypass and isolate the cranks - anyone who can't get the people to listen or follow them are out of power by such default. They're done as being any sort of leaders. Last card the deposed dead ender hold-outs would have to play is asymmetric terrorism (what's new) but without widespread sympathetic public support that's a dead end, with the advances of modern tech and supporting tactics it literally is. The final blows to the regime has to come from within, from the people. That government was a badly constructed, dysfunctional house of cards, all it needed was a good push. They had not the planning, the organization or the competency to cope with something like this and down it all went.

 

 

[Lurker]

Well played.

L

[Vaduz]

Ayatollah not good at playing Peek-A-Boo flash ensues.

[Allegra]