President Donald Trump on Friday rejected any negotiated end to the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, posting on Truth Social that “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” The statement came hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signaled openness to mediation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that “unconditional surrender” means Trump determining “that Iran can no longer pose a threat to the United States of America, and the goals of Operation Epic Fury have been fully realized.” Leavitt said the U.S. expects the war to continue approximately four to six more weeks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 900 points, or nearly 2%, following Trump’s post. Brent crude oil broke $90 per barrel on the same news.
Trump elaborated in a phone interview with Axios, saying: “Unconditional surrender could be that [the Iranians] announce it. But it could also be when they can’t fight any longer because they don’t have anyone or anything to fight with.”
Leavitt listed U.S. war objectives as destroying Iran’s navy, eliminating its ballistic missile threat, ensuring it cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, and weakening its regional proxies.
On Thursday, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper reported that ballistic missile attacks from Iran have decreased 90% since day one, and drone attacks have fallen 83%.
Cooper said U.S. forces are now entering a new phase targeting Iran’s long-term missile production capacity. “We’re not just hitting what they have. We’re destroying their ability to rebuild,” Cooper said.
CENTCOM also released new strike footage on Friday alongside a series of graphics marking the first seven days of Operation Epic Fury. According to the release, U.S. forces have struck over 3,000 targets since the operation launched on Feb. 28, 2026, and have damaged or destroyed 43 Iranian ships.
U.S. combat power is building as Iranian combat power declines. pic.twitter.com/KLxDstF2GV
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 6, 2026
Iranian targets are being decimated by U.S. forces, paving the way for continued delivery of overwhelming American military firepower. pic.twitter.com/wQUER9cXWw
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 6, 2026
Target sets have included IRGC Joint Headquarters, IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters, integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, Iranian navy ships and submarines, anti-ship missile sites, and military communication capabilities.
